The Beauty of Hate Epilogue
Skyla
One Year Later​
“Kitchen,” I say out loud as I scrawl the word in thick black marker across the side of another box. Then I stick a green dot next to it.
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“I still don’t get the dots,” Dakota crouches by the sink, checking the cabinet for stragglers. “You already wrote Kitchen. What’s the sticker supposed to do?” He closes the little door with a thud.
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“It tells you what’s in the box,” I say, simply. “Green means it’s food-related. Spices, seasoning, things like that. This way, you know it goes in the pantry.”
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His brows lift. “Won’t we know it goes in the pantry when we open it?”
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I cap the marker with a sharp snap. “It’s called being organized, and Tadeo loves it.”
He snorts. “Tadeo loves you, Sky. That’s not the same thing.”
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“Still counts.” I grin at him over my shoulder, then scan the room for anything that needs to be boxed up.
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The kitchen looks naked. The table’s gone—Knox and Alex took it to the dump along with the sad graveyard of broken things we swore we’d fix and never did. The air smells faintly of cardboard and lemon cleaner, undercut by Dakota’s lilac scent clinging to the corners.
For some reason, it makes me a little sad.
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“All clear.” Dakota slides the last drawer shut with a decisive thud. “It only took two weeks, but I think we’ve managed to pack every speck of dust.”
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I give him a small smile, trying not to let the sudden ache in my chest show, but he notices anyway.
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“Hey.” The beta moves to me, arms open wide. “I’m gonna miss this place, too.” I let him hold me, melting against his firm chest.
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He presses a kiss to the top of my head. I tip my face up, and for a moment I just look at him—at the soft warmth in his brown eyes, the curve of his mouth, the way he always smells so calm. He's so handsome.
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Dakota catches the look on my face and smiles, slow and easy, before leaning down to kiss me. The moment stretches, soft and warm, his mouth brushing mine in a way that steals the air right out of me. Then his lips part as he falls into me. He kisses me slow and sweet, sliding one hand up into my hair, fingers threading through until his palm settles at the back of my head.
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The world narrows to the quiet sound of our breathing and the faint creak of floorboards under us. His tongue slips over mine, gentle little strokes that make me shiver in his strong arms. It’s not a feral, passionate kiss, but something so much sweeter and intense.
By the time Dakota pulls back, I’m flushed everywhere.
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“The new house is going to be just as perfect as this one.” His thumb strokes just behind my ear, making my pulse jump beneath his touch. “It’ll feel like home before you know it.”
The front door creaks open.
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“We’re back!” Knox’s deep voice carries through the house.
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Alex follows, his tone lighter, teasing. “Barely. Knox nearly took out the neighbor’s trash can with the truck.”
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“Stop exaggerating. I wasn’t anywhere near it,” Knox says, and a second later he fills the doorway, bringing the scent of cold autumn air with him. His long hair’s tied back low, sleeves shoved up his forearms, muscles flexing as he sets his keys on the counter. His beard’s a little thicker than usual—we packed the trimmers yesterday—but it makes him look rougher. More wild.
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It makes my pulse stutter a little.
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The pack alpha scans the room, then us. The second he sees my face, his smile fades. “Everything okay?” He moves to us.
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“I’m just being sentimental.” I squeeze Dakota a little tighter.
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Knox gives me an understanding smile, placing his big hand on the side of my face. I snuggle into his touch, lapping up my pack’s warmth—Knox's hand on my skin and Dakota’s firm chest under my cheek.
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“Am I missing a cuddle pile?” Alex’s voice comes from behind Knox.
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I look up as Alex moves toward us, tall and solid, the air seeming to change around him. His t-shirt clings to his chest and arms, the faint sheen of sweat on his throat catching the light.
My skin tingles at the sight of him.
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Alex takes one look at us—Dakota’s arms around me, Knox’s hand still on my face—and grins. “Make room.”
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Before I can say a word, Alex folds himself into the hug, one arm looping around me and Dakota, the other sliding across Knox’s back. The squeeze knocks the air from my lungs—a wonderful tangle of warmth and strength. For a heartbeat, everything goes still and full, our bond thrumming with soft, steady love.
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The front door opens again, the sound of boots and Tadeo’s voice calling out, “I’m home!”
All my boys are finally home.
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“We’re all in the kitchen!” Knox yells back.
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I feel it before I see him—the subtle pull of Tadeo’s presence, that quiet steadiness that thrums along our bond. A heartbeat later, his arms are wrapping around all of us from behind, completing the circle.
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The hum of connection deepens in my chest, sweet and strong, like my bond with my alpha is actually smiling. Surrounded by all of them—their scents, their heat, their hearts—I can’t help but close my eyes and breathe them in.
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Then Alex’s voice, muffled somewhere near my ear, “Okay, this is either really touching or the start of an orgy. I vote orgy.”
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Dakota snorts against my shoulder. Knox huffs out a laugh. Even Tadeo’s chest shakes behind me, quiet amusement rumbling through the circle.
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“I hate you,” I giggle against Dakota’s chest, and my bond with Alex lifts even higher. He always gets so giddy when he makes me laugh.
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Knox lets out a soft sigh before letting us go. Alex and Tadeo quickly follow his lead, then Dakota.
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“Don’t worry, omega,” Dakota kisses the tip of my nose, “We’ve got one more night in this place before we start our new life in the prettiest little house on Glenview Lane.”
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My chest loosens at the thought. That house—our new home—really is the most wonderful thing I’ve ever seen. It’s old and beautiful, full of history and soft edges, with a big yard and wide windows that drink in the light. I can’t wait to lie in the sunroom, with all that glass and warmth. The claw-foot bathtubs—one in every bathroom—gleam like something out of another century. And the staircase is simply stunning, its etched wooden railing curves gracefully up toward the bedrooms. Every time I walk down it, I feel like I’ve stepped into a Victorian novel. Like a tragic character descending to meet her fate.
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I smile, taking a mental note to purchase a silk robe with feathers along the sleeves.
“Wow.” Tadeo’s voice cuts through my silly little fantasy. “It looks like you’ve gotten a ton done today.”
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He’s still half in work mode—tie loosened around his neck, the dark silk hanging loose against his crisp white shirt. His sleeves are cuffed neatly at his forearms, showing off the strong lines of muscle and the dark sweep of hair on his skin. His slacks are tailored, hugging his hips just enough to make my brain short-circuit for a second.
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“What’s left?” Tadeo asks.
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“We’ve taken all the large stuff to the dump,” Knox says simply as he gives the room a sweeping look. “For now, Sky and her sticker system are running the show.”
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“It’s color-coded chaos,” Dakota adds, smirking at the pile of boxes stacked at the back of the kitchen.
“Organized order,” I correct him, grabbing my little sticker sheets. “But we have a few more cabinets to pack in the bathroom and laundry room.”
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Tadeo’s mouth curves, amusement softening his face. “I’m happy to follow your orders, omega,” he says with his faint Spanish accent. “Tell me where you want me.”
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His words hit a little deeper than he probably meant them to, making heat flood my cheeks. I can’t help but smile as I push a box toward him. “Everything’s done in here. I think all we have left is the bathroom.”
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“And your nest,” Alex reminds me, and my smile instantly fades.
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My perfect, cozy, wonderful nest.
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I swallow hard, trying not to let the emotion show on my face, but it hits anyway—a low, twisting discomfort that settles deep under my ribs. I’ve been so focused on labeling boxes, wrapping dishes, and scrubbing baseboards that I haven’t really let myself think about packing my nest up…or maybe I’ve been avoiding it. Because the thought of pulling apart every precious layer of my nest makes me want to sob.
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That soft tangle of blankets, pillows, and old shirts still smells like them—like citrus and cherries and coconut and lilac. Like home.
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Every thread holds something: laughter, sleep-heavy warmth, and gentle love. I can't stand the idea of shoving any part of it into a box. It’s like trying to justify boxing up a heartbeat.
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“We’ll pack up the nest first thing in the morning,” Knox says to Alex. “I think the movers will be here around nine.”
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I force a small smile, hoping no one notices the wobble in it. “Right. My nest. We should probably grab a few boxes so we can pack it up quickly in the morning.” But I don’t move. The idea of touching my nest—of unraveling each perfect layer—makes my throat tighten. I glance toward the front of the house, and for the first time today, I kind of want to cry.
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Knox must notice, because he shifts closer, his presence steady and grounding. “Hey,” he says softly, voice all smoke and warmth. “We’ll handle it together, okay? It’s just moving—nothing’s changing that it’s yours.”
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I nod, even though my chest still aches. Ours, I correct silently. It’s ours.
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Tadeo moves closer, his large hands finding my waist before I can take another shaky breath. “Mi amor,” he murmurs, voice low enough that it feels like a secret. “Would it help if we didn’t box it up?”
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I turn slightly, confused, and he tips his head to meet my eyes. “The nest,” he says gently. “We could fold it neatly, move it ourselves in the SUV. That way only us—only our pack—touches it.”
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My throat goes tight, the kind of ache that’s half gratitude, half relief. “That’s… yeah,” I manage, breath catching around the word. “Yeah, that makes me feel better.”
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Tadeo hums softly, one arm sliding around my shoulders, the other curling low around my waist. He pulls me in until my forehead presses against his chest. His heartbeat is steady against my skin, solid and real.
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Behind him, I hear the soft shuffle of feet—Alex and Knox both watching, their scents curling closer, warm and familiar. Dakota slips back in too, hovering near the counter.
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Alex’s voice drops low, whispering to Knox. “She smells a little distressed.”
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Knox answers in the same quiet tone, rough and certain. “Yeah. I know.”
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Tadeo’s hand strokes once more down my back before he presses a kiss to my temple. “It’s okay, omega,” he murmurs, and then he lets me go.
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Knox is instantly there—solid and unyielding—that steady warmth that always seems to anchor the room. His strong arms slide around me, and then I’m lifted clean off the ground.
“Alpha,” I protest, though my voice comes out thin. “I’m not distressed, I’m fine.”
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“Sure you are,” he says, easy and low, like he’s humoring a child.
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“I’m not,” I insist, looping my arms around his neck out of instinct anyway. The house creaks as he moves through it, his feet thudding softly on bare floors.
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Every echo sounds like goodbye.
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There’s barely anything left inside—just the maze of boxes stacked against the walls, labeled in my handwriting. The furniture’s all gone, donated or dumped. Tadeo’s new job—company, really—has been doing so well that we decided to start fresh. Everything new for the new house. Everything except our bed.
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That, I refused to give up.
I told Knox I didn’t want some fancy mattress or designer frame. I wanted our bed—the one that creaks when someone rolls over, that still smells faintly like us, that’s seen every version of who we’ve been together. It’s where I built our first nest, where I learned what safety actually feels like.
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We slip into the hallway, and I glimpse the pale rectangles on the wall where our pictures used to hang. My chest squeezes tight. I try to laugh it off, but the sound sticks somewhere behind my ribs.
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Alex was right. I am distressed.
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And it feels stupid—ridiculous, even. Because I am excited about the new house. About the space, the quiet yard, the promise of a real kitchen table that doesn’t wobble. About the life waiting for us just down the road.
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But this place…this crooked, too-small house with its drafty windows and creaking floorboards—it’s the first place that I ever felt loved.
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By the time we reach the bedroom door, my throat’s tight again and my eyes sting, and I can’t tell if I want to laugh or cry. Probably both.
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“It’s okay," Knox whispers, smoothing his big hand down my back.
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“Yeah,” I whisper, voice wobbly as Knox nudges the door open with his hip. “Maybe I’m a little distressed.”
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He huffs a quiet laugh. “Thought so.”
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And I push my nose into his neck, breathing in his smoky cherry scent, letting the sadness and the love blur together until they’re impossible to tell apart.
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Knox lowers me slowly into my nest, careful like he’s setting down something breakable. The room is stripped bare except for the bed—our bed—and the nest I’ve built across it. Piles of blankets and soft shirts, the old quilt Dakota spilled coffee on, the sweatshirt that still smells like Alex’s citrus and thyme.
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As soon as my back touches the edge of it, something in me begins to unravel.
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I tug at my sweater, pulling it over my head, then shove my leggings down in a hurry. I need to feel it—the fabric, the layers, the familiarity of it all against my skin. The soft give of the blankets, the warmth that still holds faint traces of them.
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Knox doesn’t say anything. He just kneels beside the bed, one hand smoothing over my hair as I burrow deeper into the nest.
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The sheets are cool from the empty room, but the scent is comforting—cherries and citrus, lilac and lime, the faint sweetness of peonies wrapping it all together. I breathe in until my lungs ache, until my body finally starts to settle.
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“I needed to touch it,” I mumble into the fabric. “One more time before we move it.”
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Knox’s fingers comb slowly through my hair, gentle and sure. “I know,” he says. “But it’s still your nest, Sky. No one’s taking it from you.”
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I nod against the blanket, eyes closing. He’s right—it’s mine. Ours. And for tonight, before the movers come and the boxes disappear into the truck, I can still lie here, wrapped in everything that feels like home.
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Knox’s hand stills in my hair, and for a moment, he looks at me with his quiet calm. Then he exhales, the sound low and sure, and stands.
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The room is pale with evening light, the shadows stretching long across the walls. When he grabs the hem of his shirt and pulls it over his head, the motion is unhurried. The air shifts, carrying his scent—smoky cherries and something warm underneath, like cedar and sun.
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I watch him strip down. There’s comfort in the ritual of it. His movements are familiar, steady, grounding. He kicks off his jeans, tosses them into the corner with a soft thud.
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I settle deeper into the nest, my cheek against one of Tadeo’s old shirts, the fabric soft and worn thin. Watching Knox undo the day—unbutton, unbuckle, shed—makes something tight in my chest unwind a little more.
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He’s down to his boxers when the floorboards creak outside the door. A second later, the rest of my pack filters in—Alex first, bare feet silent on the wood, then Tadeo behind him, calm and curious, while Dakota hovers in the doorway with his usual restless energy.
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No one says anything at first. They just take everything in as Knox tugs his boxers down his long legs. His cock springs free, swaying heavy between his thighs. My skin tingles, and I lick my lips.
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I need to feel his weight on top of me, pushing me deep into my perfect nest.
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Knox stops at the edge of the mattress, gaze meeting mine as he wraps one big hand around his shaft. He jerks himself a few times, pushing a bead of precum from the tip. His voice drops low, warm. “Can I come in, sweetheart?”
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I nod immediately. “Yes.” My voice comes out softer than I mean it to. “Please.”
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He climbs onto my nest carefully, weight dipping the mattress. The scent of him blooms stronger, and the faint hum in my chest evens out.
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Behind him, Tadeo’s already unbuttoning his dress shirt. The fabric slides down his muscular arms, then he folds it before setting it aside. Alex follows, less careful—his shirt hitting the floor in a loose heap before he pushes his jeans down to his hips.
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Dakota lingers in the doorway, watching, the lilac note of his scent curling faintly around the rest. He doesn’t move to join yet, just leans a shoulder against the frame, eyes soft.
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The bed shifts again as Knox reaches for me, his hands gentle as he guides me onto my back. His palms smooth down my legs, warm against my skin. He gives my calves a light squeeze, working out the tension I hadn’t realized I was holding. Then slides his hands higher to the inside of my thighs with a soothing pressure that makes the ache in my chest ease another notch.
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“It’s okay, omega,” he purrs as he leans down, pressing his chest against mine. The contact is firm, grounding. His breath fans against my lips—steady, patient, not asking for anything more than this. “Breathe,” he murmurs.
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So I do.
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The weight of Knox's body above mine, coupled with his deep rumbling purr makes me feel safe. Solid. Around us, the air shifts as Alex and Tadeo move closer, their scents blending into something warm and familiar.
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“Such a pretty girl.” Knox palms one of my breasts before dipping his head down. He captures one of my breasts with his mouth, nipping before sucking hard. Slick instantly flows from my body, making me gasp loudly.
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My eyes flutter closed as the warmth of his touch spreads, loosening everything tight inside me. I breathe in my packs’ overlapping scents, and the ache in my chest finally quiets.
“Sky,” Tadeo murmurs as Knox works his way back down my body, kissing my stomach and hips. “Can we come in too? His voice vibrates low against my skin, gentle but certain.
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I nod without opening my eyes. “Yeah.”
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The mattress dips again as both alphas make their way into my nest, one on each side of me. Their weight settles around me, the air thick with citrus and cherries, coconut and lilac—home, in every breath.
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Knox’s hands curl around my thighs as he settles between my legs. Every inch of skin he touches feels suddenly too aware—too alive. My pulse stumbles, quick and shallow, the air thick with his scent, with us.
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I can feel the heat of his breath on my slick-soaked skin as he moves even closer, and my body reacts on instinct—every muscle tight, waiting, wanting. The world shrinks to that point between us, to the steady thrum of his presence and the weight of the moment hanging in the air.
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Desperate, I spread my legs wider for him, then tip my hips, urging my alpha closer.
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Then Knox’s hot tongue swipes up between my folds, and my whole body hums. He sucks my pussy lips into his mouth, feasting on every inch until he finds my clit.
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Tadeo hums softly somewhere above me as Knox sucks my clit into his mouth. Hands find my breasts, palming and squeezing while Knox fucks his tongue into me. My thighs clench and my hips lift.
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A touch brushes the side of my face—light, careful. My eyes blink open to find Alex right there, his dark-blue gaze steady on mine. The look in it is soft enough to make my breath hitch.
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He smiles, small and genuine, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Are you going to be a good girl and come all over your pack alpha’s face?” His hand lingers against my cheek, thumb tracing a slow line along my jaw.
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I nod the best I can as Knox shifts my legs, lifting my ass higher so he can tongue-fuck me deeper. Everything inside me lights up all at once, the coil in my belly curling tighter.
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Tadeo moves on the other side of me, leaning down and sucking one of my breasts into his mouth. He plucks at my other nipple, pulling it out, then releasing it with one glorious pinch.
I arch my back right as Alex crashes his mouth to mine, swallowing down my gasp. His tongue pushes past my lips, twisting with mine while Knox devours my cunt. I moan and wrap an arm around Alex’s neck, channeling my other hand through Knox’s long hair.
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Tadeo keeps working me over, nipping and squeezing one breast, then the other.
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Knox’s tongue flicks my clit in rapid bursts right as two fingers push deep inside me. They curl, stroking my inner wall. The coil deep inside me tightens, and my thighs tense.
Then the pressure inside me snaps.
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I come hard, my thighs shaking as slick bursts from my entrance. Knox lets out a feral growl as he drinks down my slick, licking me until my walls stop fluttering.
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But before I can catch my breath, firm hands lift my hips. I’m shifted, settled into someone’s lap. Confused, I blink, quickly finding Knox and Alex looking at me…and then Tadeo.
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“I’ve got you,” Dakota whispers in my ear as his hands curl around my hips, then slip down between my folds.
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“Fuck her good, beta,” Knox moans as he reaches forward, stroking Daktoa’s cock between my thighs. His knuckles brush against my entrance before he guides Dakota’s tip to my slick opening. I lift my hips slightly, then sink down on my beta’s perfect cock.
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Dakota lifts his hips, thrusting up into me with a relentless rhythm. My body goes limp, letting him control me completely.
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All three of my alphas sit and watch, jerking their big cocks.
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My eyes float closed, reveling in the feel of their eyes on me.
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I’m powerless as Dakota fucks me, angling his cock deeper while his fingers find my clit.
“You like that, omega?” he whispers in my ear.
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I moan in response, as my head falls back against his shoulder. “Don’t stop,” I whimper as he steadies his feet, then fucks up into me with everything he has.
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My tits bounce and my body jerks. Every inch of me throbs, and my head spins. My next orgasm barrels through me faster than the first. Heat slams into me as I’m dragged through wave after wave of pleasure. Dakota’s hips never stop, his cock carving a path into me over and over again.
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“Holy fuck!” Dakota snarls, then he comes with a groan, his cock kicking deep inside me. When he stills. I feel his hot cum spurt inside me as his shaft pulses.
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Dazed and a little spent, I finally open my eyes, and my breath catches at the sight before me. Tadeo is face down between mine and Dakota’s spread legs. I can only assume he’s licking Dakota’s shaft or balls.
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Knox is behind Tadeo fucking slowly into the young alpha.
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I love watching them together. Knox with Alex. Alex with Tadeo. All of them with Dakota. It feels so right that they love each other as much as they love me.
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“It’s my turn, gorgeous.” Alex appears out of nowhere, reaching for my middle. He lifts me up, forcing Dakota’s softening cock to slide from my body. For a second, instinct takes over and I’m scared I’m being lifted off a knot, but then quickly settle as I remind myself that Dakota doesn’t have one.
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Alex positions me onto all fours, then he curls his big body around my back. His cock pokes at my entrance once. Twice. Then he pushes in, sliding inside me with no resistance.
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Dakota did a good job of preparing me for our alphas.
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“So fucking good,” Alex moans as he begins thrusting.
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I’m so wet with cum and slick, so stretched and ready.
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His balls slap against my mound, hitting my clit hard.
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I fist the blankets beneath me, my nose pushed deep in the lush fabric.
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Alex pulls my ass higher into the air, palming both my ass cheeks, stretching me wide so he can watch his cock plunge into my eager pussy.
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“Turn your head, omega.” Tadeo’s voice is rough, clearly still being fucked, but he sounds so much closer now. “Suck me.”
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I do as I’m told and turn toward my alpha’s voice. Tadeo’s cock juts out at me, dripping with precum. I can see Knox’s fingers curl into Tadeo’s hips, holding him steady.
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Alex slows his thrusting, and I open my mouth, swallowing every inch of Tadeo’s cock. The tip hits the back of my throat, making my eyes burn, but I quickly recover, sucking in a deep breath.
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Alex’s hips smack against my ass, his big body curled around me. The trimmed patch of Tadeo’s pubic hair tickles my nose with every bobbing suck. Someone reaches under me, plucking my nipple.
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“No sabes lo que me haces sentir.” Tadeo moans, then grunts. The base of his cock begins to swell around my lips, ballooning so wide I can’t fit it in my mouth anymore.
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“Fuck!” Alex’s cock slams deep, his expanding knot catching behind my pubic bone as he fills me with his seed. I let out a muffled cry of pleasure around Tadeo’s thick cock.
“Dios mío!” Tadeo pulls his cock from my mouth just in time for his cum to splash across my face. White ropes coat my lips and cheeks as Alex rolls his hips, using my body to milk his cock.
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Covered and filled with cum, my heart completely settles and my eyes close. I can still hear the intense breathing and fucking of my pack. Dakota moans deeply, and Knox snarls somewhere behind Tadeo.
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Once Alex’s knot goes down, I’m pulled under Knox, filled with his beautiful big cock.
I lose track of how many times I come. Of how many different ways I’m filled and fucked. The night is a blur.
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Tadeo ruts me from behind.
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Dakota makes me bounce on his cock.
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I straddle Alex’s cock, while both he and Knox fill my pussy.
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I’m wild and feral, getting rutted by my perfect pack, until we all fall asleep, covered in sweat and cum and slick and sex.
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* * *
Morning finds me slow and heavy.
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Dakota’s voice is the first thing I hear—soft, sing-song, close enough that it weaves into the haze of sleep before I even open my eyes. “Hey, sleepyhead.”
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The light in the room is pale and quiet, stretching across the sheets. The nest around me is a mess—blankets kicked off, pillows shoved aside, the familiar tangle that always follows a night of intense passion.
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But it’s empty. Just me now.
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The others’ voices drift faintly from down the hall, low and calm, that deep rumble of alphas talking about plans and movers and last-minute details. I can’t make out the words, but the sound alone makes my chest warm.
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“The movers will be here in an hour.” Dakota brushes a few strands of hair off my face, caressing my cheek.
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I nuzzle into his hand, then slowly sit up. Every muscle protests. A soft groan slips out before I can stop it. I stretch, wincing, then laugh under my breath. I’m sore, but in the kind of way that feels too damn good.
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Dakota grins next to me, his hair sticking up, T-shirt half-tucked into his joggers. “You look wrecked,” he says cheerfully.
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I throw a pillow at him. “Thanks. That’s exactly what a girl wants to hear first thing in the morning.”
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He dodges it easily, laughing, and the sound bounces off the bare walls.
The house smells like coffee and cardboard and the last traces of us. Movers will be here soon. The thought tightens something in my chest, but the soreness grounding my body keeps me here, present. Breathing.
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One more morning in our first home.
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Dakota’s grin softens. “Come on, sunshine,” he says, pushing off the doorframe. “Tadeo picked up magdalenas for breakfast.”
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That does it—my stomach growls loud enough to make him laugh. “You’re serious?” I ask, already reaching for the nearest shirt.
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“Straight from that little bakery you like,” he says. “Still warm.”
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The words pull a smile out of me before I can stop it. I crawl out of the nest, sheets clinging to my legs, the cool air kissing my bare skin. The room looks strange in the daylight—empty corners, bare floors, sunlight catching on the faint dust in the air.
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I pause for just a heartbeat, taking it in. One last look. Then I follow the smell of coffee down the hall.
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The kitchen is half-gutted, boxes stacked high against the walls, but it still feels like ours. Tadeo’s already set out a small spread on the counter—paper cups of coffee, a few sugar packets, and a little white box full of golden magdalenas. The sight of them makes my heart squeeze.
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“Perfect,” I say, reaching for one. It’s soft and warm, sugar dusting my fingertips. I take a bite and close my eyes for a second. “God, I’m going to miss this house.”
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Knox glances over his coffee cup, mouth quirking. “You’ll forget about it the second we step into the new one.”
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“Maybe,” I say around a mouthful of cake. “But I’ll still remember this—sitting on a box, eating breakfast with all of you.”
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Alex bumps my shoulder gently as he passes. “You’ll get to make new memories,” he says. “And new messes.”
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Dakota snorts. “Mostly new messes.”
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They all laugh, and for a moment, the air feels the same as it always has—warm, familiar, safe. I look around at my pack, at the walls that held us for our first year, and something in me settles.
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Yeah. I’ll miss this place.
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But I’m ready for what comes next.
