“Aria.” Malachi’s voice cuts through the silence, deep and commanding. It still makes me want to roll over and show my belly, even after everything. “We need to talk about what happened today. About us.”

I meet his gaze, surprised to see something I’ve never witnessed before in those dark eyes. Is that… vulnerability? From our unflappable alpha? Someone better call the local news, because this is headline material.

“Okay,” I murmur, setting my mug down with hands that refuse to stay steady. I clasp them tightly in my lap, as if that’ll keep the tremble at bay. “Where do we start? With how I nearly got kidnapped by my psycho ex, or how you guys are apparently all in love with me? Because honestly, I’m not sure which is more terrifying at this point.”

Malachi takes a deep breath, squaring his impressive shoulders like he’s about to face down an army instead of one very confused omega. “With the truth. When I got your message today, I’ve never been more scared. The thought of losing you…” He pauses, and I swear I see the great Malachi Clarke swallow hard. “It made me realize something. I love you, Aria—not just as pack, but as my mate. My omega.”

Holy shit. Did he just… My brain short-circuits, and I’m pretty sure I’m doing a great impression of a goldfish right now. My heart’s pounding so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if it burst right out of my chest.

“A pack is like a tapestry,” Malachi continues, his voice taking on that wise tone that always makes me feel like I’m getting advice from a sexy Yoda. “Each thread is unique but stronger together. And you? You’re the thread that ties us all together.”

Before I can even begin to process that bombshell, Zane pushes off from the mantel. His movement is predatory, and I suddenly feel like Little Red Riding Hood, except, you know, I’m in sweatpants and there are four wolves.

“He isn’t the only one,” Zane says, his intense gaze burning into me. I feel a shiver run down my spine that has nothing to do with the temperature. “I love you too, Aria. Your strength, your spirit, and the way you challenge me and make me want to be better… I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

Zane takes a step closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “Love’s a battlefield, Aria, and you conquered mine without firing a shot.”

Two love confessions in as many minutes.

This is fine.

Everything’s fine.

I’m not freaking out at all.

My cheeks are on fire, and I’m pretty sure the blush is spreading down my neck faster than a wildfire.

Oh, I am absolutely freaking out.

Quinn unfolds himself from the floor, coming to sit beside me. His voice is soft, like he’s trying to calm a spooked animal, which, let’s be real, isn’t far off. “I know I’m not as bold as these two,” he says with a small smile, “but my feelings are just as strong. I love you, Aria. I love your kindness, your resilience, and the way you light up a room just by being in it. You’re everything I never knew I needed.”

He pauses, and there’s a mischievous glint in his eye that always spells trouble. “You know, statistically speaking, the odds of finding a perfect match are astronomical, but then again, when did we ever play by the rules? You’re like the most improbable, beautiful algorithm, and I’m just the lucky coder who gets to run it.”

I laugh through the tears in my eyes, leaning into Quinn’s warmth. It’s so perfectly Quinn, I could almost forget the emotional roller coaster I’m on. Almost.

I turn to Dash, the last to speak. His usual carefree vibe is gone, replaced by a seriousness I’ve rarely seen. It’s like watching the class clown suddenly deliver a Shakespearean monologue.

“Sparkles,” he says, using that ridiculous nickname that I pretend to hate but secretly love. “I’m not great with words, you know that, but loving you? Heck, that’s like asking if water’s wet or if music’s awesome. It just is, you know? You’re my muse, my heart, and my home. You’re the raddest wave I’ve ever caught, and I never want to come back to shore.”

I’m overwhelmed, my emotions doing the cha-cha in my chest.

Love, fear, hope, and doubt all battle it out in the cage match of my mind. These four incredible men, these alphas, loveme. Me, the omega with more baggage than an international airport.

“I…” I start, my voice shaky. My hands are trembling again, and I clench them into fists. “I don’t know what to say. I love you all too, so much it scares me sometimes, but I’m afraid. What if I’m not enough? What if I can’t be what you need? I mean, come on, I can barely decide what to have for breakfast most mornings, let alone handle four alpha mates.”

Malachi moves to kneel in front of me, taking my hands in his. His touch is warm and calloused yet infinitely gentle. “Aria, you are more than enough. You’re everything we need and more. We don’t want you to change or be anyone other than who you are.”

Zane joins him, his hand on my knee. The weight of it is comforting, grounding. “United, we’re an unbreakable force, Aria. Individually strong and collectively unstoppable.”

Quinn’s arm slides around my shoulders, pulling me close. I lean into him, drawing strength from his presence. “We aren’t asking for perfection, Aria. We’re asking for you just as you are—flaws, fears, and all. Even your inability to choose breakfast foods.”

Dash completes the circle, resting his chin on my knee. His touch is light and playful, but his eyes are serious. “Yeah, what they said. Plus, think of all the fun we’ll have figuring this out together. Life’s an adventure, sparkles, and there’s no one I’d rather ride those waves with than you—even if you wipe out sometimes.”

A laugh bubbles up through my tears. Leave it to Dash to make me laugh when I’m on the verge of an emotional breakdown.

I look at each of them in turn, these four alphas who have somehow burrowed their way into my heart. They are each so different, yet all essential.

“I love you,” I say, my voice growing stronger with each word. “All of you. You’ve shown me what it means to be truly cared for, to be protected without being stifled. You showed me that even if we argue and have a blow up, we can work through it. You’ve helped me heal, helped me grow, and I want to keep growing with you, if you’ll have me.”