Page 219 of Ashley & the A-Listers

She jolted when the answer struck her, jostling Cameron.

“Really?” she asked, excitement threading through her, heart beginning to race. They hadn’t bonded yet because after the mess she made of things last time, she’d been hesitant. She wanted to do it right, conspiring with Cameron to make River feel special and as integral to the pack as he truly was. Date nights and shopping and painting and shameless PDA, which the media ate up like a meal.

“River,” she said, touching the blank spot where he wanted her bite to go. “I would love to bond you.”

Cameron would be able to feel him, too, and the thought of them all linked made her chest go tight and her throat ache as her sinuses burned. She’d come to rely on the bond when it came to reading her pack mates, and she was sorely aware of the absence of River. When they’d broached the subject, River had declared he wanted to wait, to make sure they weren’t rushing it. There would be no more mistakes. Ashley had relented, of course, but her hindbrain always had something to say about it.

Cameron stirred, mumbling against her skin before picking his head up and squinting at them.

“Why does it feel like something monumental is happening?”

“Because it is,” Ashley said, and reached to pull River in now that they wouldn't disturb Cam’s rest.

They sandwiched the omega as Ashley pulled him in for a kiss. “I’d love to leave my mark on you,” she said against his mouth. Cameron wiggled between them.

“Oh my god, are we talking about bonding? River? Are you?—”

Cameron rolled over, taking River’s face in his hands until his lips were squished. “Is this happening?”

River nodded, smiling despite his smushed face.

“River,” Cameron whined, and then kissed him, pushing him into the nest and crawling atop him. “Please bond with me. With Ashley, so we can feel each other.”

“I’ve got the perfect spot picked out,” River said. “If you’ll have me.”

“If we’ll—” Cameron scoffed, then leaned down and tilted him up for a kiss. “I love you,” he said, pecking him on the lips between each word. “I’d be honored to be your omega.”

River looked shiny in the eyes and emotion swelled in her and Cam like a wave pool, back and forth.

“I didn’t want to ask during the heat, because I wanted us all to have clear heads. But I just—I love you, and I love being part of this pack.”

“I’ve beenwaiting,being so patient. I’m so glad that—finally,” Cameron said, and closed the distance again.

Ashley could feel the love between them even without a bond. She propped her head on her hand and watched them.

“I thought your heat was over,” she teased as they began grinding together.

“You think I’m going to miss the opportunity to have him inside me when you bite him?” Cameron asked.

River chuckled. “Thought about this a lot, have you?”

Cameron paused, blushing. “Guilty.”

“Hmm. Maybe you should tell me a few of these fantasies. We can only make the one come true, you know.”

“Babe. I’m an actor. You think I can’t roleplay?”

River snorted, rolling his eyes, and Ashley giggled.

“What about if he’s insideme,” Ashley suggested, stroking a palm down Cameron’s back, slowing his hips. “And you’re inside him? Hmm?”

Through the bond, she could feel Dylan’s curiosity at all the excitement, and she cleared her throat. “There’s one moreperson we should check in with,” she said. “Maybe he wants to watch.”

“Dylan!” Cameron leaned up to shout. Ashley winced, and River burst into laughter. “It’s cuck time, your favorite!”

Amusement, then affection, and finally interest. They waited—well, she waited. Cameron clearly had faith in the other alpha, because he made room for Ashley atop River and kissed him again, stoking the ever-present fire.

A moment later, the door cracked open, and Dylan’s head popped in. “Is it safe?”

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