More Rewards

    **Paige’s POV **

    The heat pooling in my centre suddenly res, sending a rush of fire up my neck, and I gasp. Low growls sound around me, and I look up to see all four sets of eyes locked on me. They’re intense, like predators eyeing up their prey.

    These are not the warm eyes of Ryder, Remy, Parker, and Callen. No, these are their wolves peeking through, dark and dangerous, their pupils blown wide.

    Oh s**t.

    My bravado from moments ago? Yeah, it just packed its bags and sprinted for the hills, leaving me stranded here with my very big mouth and four very aroused werewolves.

    Four of them?… What the hell was I even thinking?… One wolf at a time is… a lot. Two is basically chaos. But four? That’s not confidence, that’s suicide. I’m about to be a human–shaped chew toy. The thought douses the fire that was building in me like a bucket of cold water has been thrown on me.

    “Um,” I squeak, holding up a hand like I’m negotiating with toddlers and not apex predators,” so… when I said I was fine with more s*x and I wanted all four of you, I didn’t necessarily mean right this second. You know, I was just… being supportive? A team yer?”

    Callen’s lips twitch, though his wolf eyes stay fixed on me. “You sounded pretty damn sure a minute ago, sweetheart.”

    “I was!” I blurt, then quickly add, “In theory! You know, in a hypothetical, abstract kind of way. But now you’re all staring at me like I’m dinner, and I’m… reconsidering my life choices.”

    Ryder’s growl softens into a low rumble, and he steps closer, brushing a finger along my jaw and down my neck, stopping at my corbone. His voice is calmer than his eyes look. “We’d never hurt you, Paige. Not ever. You don’t have to be afraid of us.”

    “I’m not afraid,” I lie. All four of them raise their brows at me, and I sigh, “Okay, maybe a little. But to be fair, your eyes have gone full Michael Jackson in Thriller, and I’m just a delicate human with very delicate… parts.”

    Parker chuckles, the sound warm enough ito /itake the edge off. “We’ll go slow. We’ll go at your pace. You’re not dinner, Paige. You’re ours.”

    Remy leans in just enough that his breath brushes my ear. “And we know how to take care of what’s ours.”

     Chapter 85

    More Rewards

    A shiver runs down my spine that has nothing to do with fear, and everything to do with the way he said it. Damn him. Damn all of them.

    I blow out a shakyugh, trying to cling to humour to save myself the humiliation of looking like aplete wimp. “Okay, fine. But if I die of… overstimtion, or whatever this ends up being, I’m haunting all of you forever.”

    Callen shes me one of his wicked grins. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

    Ryder growls at him, half–warning, half–amused, before turning back to me. His thumb strokes over my cheek. “You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. Ever. We want you, yes, but more than that, we want you happy and safe. We’ll stop the second you say stop.”

    The words are reassuring, and my pulse slows to a steadier, less panicked state. The heat is still there, fierce and demanding, but it’s manageable right now.

    I swallow, my cheeks still burning. “Okay,” I whisper. “I trust you.”

    Their eyes soften, and just like that, I rx, until they all take a step back. I feel rejected, like a failure. Why don’t they want me now? Tears well in my eyes.

    “Hey, it’s okay,” Ryder soothes, wrapping his arms around me.

    I press my cheek against his chest, trying to get a hold of myself. What the hell is wrong with

    me?

    “Sorry, I’m not sure what’s happening. I just feel so…”

    “It’s the heat,” Parker says softly. “It’s normal to have heightened emotions and rapid mood changes.”

    “So like PMS on steroids… awesome,” I mutter under my breath.

    “Yes, but you have four of us to help you through it all. Whatever iyou /ineed ifrom /ius, just say the words and we will do it,” Callen says, and I lift my head ito /ilook at him.

    “Chocte and a movie?” I ask.

    “You bet,” he grins and turns to leave. “Pick something girly, Remy iloves /ithose movies,” he adds as he heads towards the kitchen.

    Remy grumbles something I don’t catch, but Iugh anyway, though ites out more like a sob.

    “Sorry,” I say again, embarrassed at how much of a mess I feel.

     Chapter 85

    More Polwande

    “Stop apologising. You have nothing to be sorry for. You’re going to be up and down for a while, and that’s okay,” Ryder lifts my gaze up to meet his with a finger under my chin. “I don’t tell you enough how proud I am of you. How lucky I feel to have you back in my life.”

    “Proud? I don’t feel like I’ve done muchtely to deserve that.”

    “Of course you have. You carried Jaxon into this world and raised him on your own. You walked into a pack of strangers and held your ground. You’ve faced hunters, betrayal, and danger I can barely stomach thinking about. You’ve epted us as yours, despite the sacrifices wee with. You are the strongest woman I’ve ever known. And I’ll spend the rest of my life reminding you of that if I have to.”

    The tears spill over then, hot and unstoppable. He presses his forehead to mine, letting the bond pulse warm and steady between us.

    When I look up again, Callen has returned, and all eyes are back on me.

    “Thank you for being patient with me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be the mate you deserve,” I admit. “But I’ll try. I’ll give you what I can, as much as I can. I just need you to promise me that it will be enough.”

    “It’s already enough,” Callen says without hesitation.

    “Always,” Parker adds, his hand brushing my arm.

    Remy gives me the faintest smirk. “You’re stuck with us now. Better get used to it.”

    Ryder holds me tighter, the bond humming between us. “You’re more than enough, and don’t ever feel ashamed to tell us if you need reminding. If we have to tell you a hundred times a day, we will.”

    The silence that follows isn’t awkward, it’s warm and safe.

    I let out a shakyugh, wiping my cheeks as I realise how needy and insecure I’m being. But I don’t feel embarrassed about it now. They make me feel safe, like it’s okay to let all these silly emotions and thoughts spill over.

    Callen moves first, crossing the small space between us. His hand settles against my back, big and steady. I lean into it instinctively, absorbing the heat of him.

    “Come here,” Parker says, moving toward the couch and patting the space beside him.

    For a moment I hesitate, but when Ryder pulls me gently to the couch, guiding me down to sit between his legs next to Parker. Callen sits on our other side, handing me a bar of milk chocte and turning the TV on with the remote. Remy lingers a second longer, then huffs out a breath and lowers himself onto the rug at our feet, leaning back so his head rests on

    Chapter 85

    my knees. And somehow, it feels right.

    Callen rests a hand on my thigh whilst he flicks through movie options, and Parker trails his fingers up and down my arm. Connected to all four of them like this, the bond hums with emotions that aren’t just mine… concern, protectiveness, relief, love. It’s overwhelming and calming all at once.

    We don’t talk much after that. Everything that mattered has already been said. Instead, I just sit there in the middle of them, their warmth pressing in from every side as we watch some movie about a prince falling in love with someone his parents don’t approve of, which Callen insists is one of Remy’s favourites.

    By the time my eyelids grow heavy, I realise this is exactly what I needed tonight. Ryder shifts just enough to press a kiss to my temple. I think maybe this messy,plicated, overwhelming love might be exactly what I’ve been waiting for.

    I lose focus on the TV as sleep starts to pull me under, and then it hits.

    The warmth starts low in my belly, a spark at first, then a slow roll of fire spreading outward until every nerve feels too awake. My skin prickles, my breathse faster, and I know what it is before anyone says a word.

    The heat is back, a hundred times stronger than before.

    N.O Darling

    Sorry just one chapter today as I’ve had a migraine all day. Thank you for your support and all your lovelyments!

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!