I’d informed them before we left the hospital we were bonding when we got home, and I still wanted it. They were mine and I was theirs, and I didn’t want to wait anymore. They even agreed to a photoshoot like my mom wanted. That was, if I agreed to the sexy photoshoot they wanted to match the pictures I had with Ben. Or rather, to go further than the one I had with him.

Whoever ended up taking those photos would sign a hell of an NDA if we didn’t end up taking them ourselves.

Ben kissed me over Luke’s shoulder. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m really fucking sure.”

Luke laughed. “Nest?”

“Yes, please.” I couldn’t imagine anywhere else for it.

My nest. It was a relief to say it now. Everything was mine. I almost couldn’t breathe with all the joy packed into my chest right now.

“I’ve been thinking about where I want to bite you,” Luke whispered.

Arousal dropped through me like a stone in a clear pond, creating ripples through everything. “Did you decide?”

“Not yet. I’ve got a few places in mind.”

“And they are?”

He smirked. “Secret. For now.” I made a face, and he laughed. “I’m sure everyone else has been thinking about theirs.”

We entered the nest and he lowered the lights before gently setting me on the cushions. The hospital gave me crutches, but I was pretty sure if they were around I wasn’t going to be allowed to use them. Maybe if I went to my studio, but that was it. They hadn’t even let me sit in the wheelchair, passing me from one set of arms to another.

I put up a fuss, but I loved it. Being held by them was another reminder this was real and I was theirs. Soon, there wouldn’t be any doubt for any of us.

“Does my bite on Rylan act the same?” I asked as they filed into the room. “Is it touch sensitive?”

Rylan nodded. “From what I know, yes.”

Rubbing my hands together, I grinned. “Interesting. Any requests?”

“Nope.” He tugged my shirt up over my head. “Bite me wherever you want.”

Thankfully, I’d showered at the hospital. It hadn’t been easy, and I’d had to do it mostly sitting down, but I was glad to have all the mud off me, and it made this faster.

I still felt a bit awkward after everything. But they wouldn’t hear of it. They were too understanding, and too good.

And they were mine.

“You know,” Ben said. “Some packs exchange rings and some don’t. We had another idea. A gift for the bonding.”

I leaned back, allowing Rylan to pull my skirt off my hips. “You don’t have to give me gifts for every occasion, you know.”

“That’s debatable,” Avery said. “But for this one? Yes. Yes, we do.”