Page 119 of Bonding the Band

He rested a gentle hand on the back of my head, scratching my scalp lightly in the most soothing motion. My muscles felt instantly gooey.

“We wanted the whole world to know you’re ours, but we didn’t share your name, so you could maintain your privacy.” Beckett smiled down at me, which only made me cry harder. How could they be so sweet? “If you want to do an interview later and give the world an insight into the most perfect omega ever, then that can be arranged, but we needed them to know we were spoken for, that you’re what matters most to us.”

An interview was the last thing on my mind, but maybe, in a few months, when Nugget was here and I was feeling secureagain, that was a possibility. “I’m so sorry you had to come all the way here.”

Beckett shook his head. “We would have traveled a hell of a lot farther for you. I hope you know that.”

Before I could answer Beckett, Phin wedged his way in and claimed me for himself, kissing the top of my head. “Stop hogging our omega. I missed you, sweets. Scared the shit out of us when you bolted. I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“I missed you too.” I sighed into his chest. Vanilla and black tea. I was huffing all my pack’s scents; the only one missing was Arlo’s. “I’m sorry I freaked out. I wasn’t the most rational at the time.”

“Don’t even worry about it. We’ll make sure you feel so fucking safe going forward that running won’t even enter your mind.” Phin’s rumbling purr melted my anxiety, and he nuzzled my cheek.

“Speaking of hogging, I haven’t gotten my hug yet,” Arlo pointed out. He beamed at me as he strode over. “Have you been blocking my texts, princess?”

“Not blocking, no.” I let him sandwich me with Phin, a perfect mix of their scents filling my nose. “I had my phone on silent.”

Arlo kissed the top of my head, both alphas nuzzling me. “Clover kept me up to date, hence the car. I’m just glad to see you.”

Now that his apple cider scent was nearby, a weight in my chest lifted. Having all my alphas’ scents in close proximity settled my omega instincts that had kept me on edge while being apart from them, and our pack being fractured when Hendrix had gone for treatment.

How did I ever think I could live without them?

“So…” Arlo trailed off for a moment. “Do you want to go back to California, or do you want to stay here? Normally, I wouldn’tpush you to choose this quickly, but Nugget is going to be showing upverysoon.”

Phin hummed in agreement. “If you want to stay here, we’re going to have to make some arrangements, because we aren’t going anywhere without you.”

“Well, I can’t exactly have a baby in my dorm room.” I sniffed. “That wouldn’t be fair to Clover.”

“I wouldn’t mind!” Clover shouted through the door.

Nosy omega.

Luckily, I adored her.

“We could rent a place in Seattle,” Hendrix offered. “We have a hotel suite nearby, but that’s no place for a baby.”

I shook my head. “Just take me home.”

Their faces all broke out into matching grins as they enveloped me in a crushing group hug. No hug had ever made me feel so safe and secure.

“Not to be a party pooper,” Phin said, his face buried in my hair, “but how do we get you home? Aren’t you too far along to fly?”

“Train?” I suggested. “It wasn’t that uncomfortable, and you can book a fancy cabin for the trip.”

“I’ll book it now!” Beckett said, quickly leaning forward to kiss me before taking out his phone. I whined when he pulled back, but his lips were quickly replaced with Phin’s. I tuned out the world for a few brief moments as Phin devoured me, until their conversation forced its way back into my attention.

“What about the car?” Hendrix asked.

Beckett laughed. “Arlo will just have to drive it home.”

“No fair!” Arlo cried. As I pulled back, I could see him pouting.

That plan didn’t last long.

After Clover and I hugged goodbye and promised to see each other soon after the baby arrived, the guys and I made our way to the train station. It would have been nice to spend a few extra days with Clover, but I was getting close to my due date, and public transportation around the holidays was difficult at the best of times.

Beckett had gotten us the fanciest private cabins, which had overly stuffed armchairs that easily reclined for ultimate rest. They were even combined, so I could spend the trip snuggled into one of my alphas. As I sat down and got myself situated, Arlo appeared in the doorway, a smug grin on his face.

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