Chapter 48

I woke with the dawn, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the gauzy curtains of our nest in the living room. The warmth of Axel’s body was a comforting weight against my side, his steady breathing a soothing rhythm in the quiet of the morning. But as I shifted, I realized that the others were absent from our makeshift bed. My heart clenched at the thought, a ripple of anxiety threatening to break the peaceful stillness of the morning.

The previous night had been a cocoon of safety and affection, all of us tangled together in a pile of cushions and blankets. It hadn’t been the most comfortable, with only the hard floor beneath us, but it was the best sleep I’d had in years. The scent of my alphas had lulled me into a deep, untroubled slumber.

But now, as I stretched my arms above my head, careful not to disturb Axel, I was acutely aware of his injury. The memory of the blood that had stained his clothes the night before was a dark stain on my thoughts. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him, not when I had only just found him, found all of them.

The scent of breakfast wafted into the nest, the rich, spicy aroma of cinnamon rolls cutting through my worries. My stomach growled, demanding attention, and I couldn’t help but smile. Jin’s cooking was quickly becoming one of my favorite things about our new life together.

I extricated myself from the nest, making sure Axel was comfortable and his wound hadn’t bled through the bandages. As I crawled out from the haven we had created, I saw Jin at the stove, his brow furrowed in concentration as he flipped pancakes. The sight of him, so utterly focused on providing for us, filled me with a warmth that had nothing to do with the steam rising from the frying pan.

At the table, Harlen and Pietro were deep in conversation, their voices a low murmur that blended with the clinking of cutlery and the hiss of the coffee maker. Harlen cradled a cup of tea in his large hands, the scent of bergamot and cedarwood emanating from him. Pietro, on the other hand, was nursing a mug of coffee, the dark, rich aroma a perfect match for his own scent.

They all paused, their eyes shifting to me as I rose to my feet, their faces lighting up with smiles that made my heart flutter. “Good morning, beautiful,” Harlen greeted, patting the seat next to him. “Come, sit with us. Jin’s almost done with breakfast.”

I felt my cheeks heat at the endearment, my feet carrying me toward the table almost of their own accord. Jin met my gaze, a soft smile playing on his lips as he poured a glass of orange juice and set it in front of my place at the table. “Morning, Darcy,” he said, his voice warm. “I hope you’re hungry.”

I slid into the chair, the cool wood a stark contrast to the heat emanating from Harlen’s thigh pressed against mine. “Morning,” I murmured, my gaze dropping to the glass of juice before I summoned the courage to meet his eyes again. “Thank you, Jin.”

As I sat there, surrounded by the three of them, I found myself keenly aware of their quirks and habits – the way Jin bit his lower lip when he was deep in thought, the intensity of Pietro’s gaze as he watched Jin move about the kitchen, the gentle, almost imperceptible nod Harlen gave me when I caught him watching me.

The conversation flowed easily around me, a mixture of light-hearted banter and more serious discussions about the Bratva’s ongoing conflicts. I listened with half an ear, my attention more focused on the way their hands moved as they spoke, the rhythm of their words, the subtle shifts in their scents that revealed more than any spoken confession ever could.

I was sipping my orange juice, the tangy sweetness a pleasant shock to my taste buds, when I heard the rustle of movement from the nest. Axel emerged, a wince marring his features as he carefully maneuvered his injured body out of our sanctuary. My heart clenched at the sight of his discomfort, and I set my glass down with a soft clink.

Turning to Pietro, I asked, “Do you have any pain medication for Axel?” My voice was a soft whisper, concern lacing each word.

Pietro’s brow furrowed, his dark eyes reflecting a matching worry. “Yes, I’ll get it,” he said, rising from his chair with a fluid grace that captivated me. “Stay here, Darcy.”

I nodded, watching as he disappeared down the hallway, his footsteps echoing faintly in the quiet apartment.

Axel eased himself into the chair next to mine, his large frame taking up more space than it appeared to have. Without a word, he reached for me, lifting me effortlessly from my seat and settling me onto his lap. I let out a surprised squeak, my hands instinctively bracing against his broad shoulders. He nuzzled the top of my head, his breath warm against my scalp, and I felt the tension in my body slowly ebb away as I relaxed into his embrace.

Harlen watched us from across the table, a small, contented smile playing on his lips as he sipped his tea. I caught his eye and smiled back, a silent acknowledgment of the peace we were all building together.

Jin, ever the caretaker, filled a plate with a generous serving of pancakes and scrambled eggs, his movements precise and efficient. He winked at me before scooping me up from Axel’s lap, much to my surprise. I let out a giggle as he settled me onto his own lap, a mock glare directed at Axel, who responded with a low, playful growl.

“Food’s ready,” Jin announced, his tone light and teasing. “Help yourselves, gentlemen.”

Pietro returned just in time, a small bottle of painkillers in hand. He passed it to Axel, who gave him a nod of thanks, popping the lid and dry-swallowing a couple of pills without complaint.

The table was a symphony of sounds – the scrape of forks against plates, the murmur of conversation, the occasional chuckle. We ate together, a motley crew of alphas and one omega, sharing stories and laughter as the morning sun bathed the room in a warm, golden light.

The first bite of pancake Jin fed me was a fluffy cloud of sweetness, melting on my tongue and sending a cascade of pleasure through my senses. His lap was a solid foundation beneath me, his free hand resting possessively on my hip. I could feel the steady thrum of his purr, a vibration that resonated with the contentment bubbling within me.

“Are you okay, Axel?” Harlen’s voice cut through the haze of my bliss, his tone carrying an undercurrent of concern.

Axel grunted, his hand pausing midair with a forkful of eggs. “Just a rat problem,” he replied, his eyes meeting Harlen’s across the table. “Nothing we can’t handle.”

Pietro let out a low chuckle, the sound rich and warm. “Just had a rat problem of our own,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “But after we sniffed him out, Harlen took out the trash for us.”

Harlen shot Pietro a heated look, his eyes darkening with an intensity that made my breath hitch. “Consider it a favor,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky murmur.

Pietro caught that look, and I watched, entranced, as goosebumps spread across his exposed arm like wildfire. His scent, dark chocolate and coffee, suddenly intensified, mingling with Harlen’s oak and hazelnut in a way that made my head spin.

My purr grew louder, the sound rumbling from deep within my chest. I could feel my slick beginning to coat my thighs, a warm, insistent reminder of my arousal. The thin fabric of Harlen’s shirt I wore barely provided a barrier between my skin and the cool air of the kitchen.

The alphas around me seemed to notice my reaction all at once. Their nostrils flared, eyes dilated, and low growls of appreciation filled the room. The air was thick with their arousal, a heady perfume that stoked the fire that had ignited within me.

Jin’s hand stilled on my hip, his fingers tightening slightly as he leaned in to whisper in my ear. “Darcy,” he said, his voice a mere thread of sound, “can I take care of you right here in front of all of them?”

The question sent a jolt of excitement through me, my heart pounding in my chest. I looked around the room, meeting the heated gazes of each of my alphas. The thought of being claimed so openly, so completely by Jin, with the other three watching… It was both terrifying and exhilarating.

I nodded, my voice failing me as a wave of need crashed over me.