I barely register the scores when they're announced. All I know is that they're good. Near perfect, in fact. But right now, I couldn't care less about the numbers.

All I want is to get to my alphas.

After what feels like an eternity of interviews and congratulations from my coach and fellow skaters, I'm finally free. I race through the corridors of the arena, having just shed my skates, and finally reach the backstage area doors.

I burst through the doors into the public area, my eyes scanning the crowd. And then I see them, standing off to one side, away from the main crush of people.

Four pairs of eyes lock onto me, and then I'm running.

I don't care about the stares or the whispers.

I don't care about maintaining my professional image or keeping our relationship private.

All I care about is getting to them.

Jayce sees me coming and opens his arms wide. I launch myself at him, trusting him to catch me. He does, of course, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around. His familiar scent—salted caramel—envelops me, and I bury my face in his neck, breathing him in.

"You were amazing, Cotton Candy," he murmurs in my ear. "Fucking incredible."

Before I can respond, I'm being passed to Mason. He hugs me tightly, his wood smoke scent mixing with Jayce's. "You blew them all away, sweetheart," he says, his voice rough with emotion.

Then I'm in Carter's arms. He doesn't say anything, just holds me close, his dark chocolate scent wrapping around me like a warm blanket. It's only when I feel the crinkle of plastic against my back that I notice the obscenely huge bouquet of roses they brought me.

Pink and blue, of course.

When he finally pulls back, his eyes are suspiciously bright.

Finally, I'm face to face with Adder. He cups my face in his hands, his bourbon and pine scent making me dizzy. "We are so proud of you," he says softly, before pulling me into a kiss that makes my toes curl in my skates.

When we break apart, I'm breathless and a little dazed. "You came," I whisper, still not quite believing it.

Adder smiles, that soft, tender smile that's reserved just for me. "Of course we did. We wouldn't miss this for the world."

"But your event—" I start to protest, but Mason cuts me off.

"Wasn't as important as being here," he interrupts. "And you certainly didn't disappoint."

"You didn't have to—" I try again, but this time it's Carter who interrupts.

"Yes, we did," he says firmly. "You're our mate, Ember. Your victories are our victories."

I feel tears pricking at my eyes.

"I love you," I blurt out. "All of you. So much."

They've all said it before, at different times. Adder and Mason while they were locked inside me, Carter while we were sharing a quiet, intimate moment in the shower, and Jayce, weirdly enough, at the kitchen counter after I laughed so hard at something he said that milk came out of my nose.

But even though I've felt it for a while, now that I'm being honest with myself, it's the first time I've actually said it out loud. And the look they're all giving me confirms that fact doesn't escape them.

They gather around me, enveloping me in a group hug that should feel stifling but instead feels like coming home. In this moment, surrounded by their warmth and their scents, I know I'm making the right decision.

"And we love you, Ember," Mason murmurs, nuzzling my cheek. "So fucking much."

My heart is pounding, and while I thought I could wait, at least until we were at the guys' apartment, but I can't.

It just feels right.

"I want to move to Belmont City," I blurt out.