Page 45 of Cursed Love

Amel’s eyes soften, his hand sliding up to cup my cheek. “I know, Koa. And that’s okay. That’s more than okay.”

I let out a shaky laugh, the bitterness of my past still clinging to me. “I’m not mad about that anymore, though. Not really. I’m just mad that my brother stole something from me that wasn’t his to take. He tried to shape my life like it was his to control, and it’s not. It’s mine.”

Amel’s lips press into a thin line, his purr starting up low in his chest as he pulls me into a hug. His warmth surrounds me, his scent wrapping me in its safety. “It’s yours, Koa. Every part of it. And I promise you, Damien won’t take another piece of it.”

My Alpha guides me to my nest, pillows and blankets arranged in perfect chaos. I crawl into the center of it, Amel followingclose behind. His arms wrap around me as I settle against him, my head resting on his chest, his purr lulling me into a sense of calm I so desperately need.

I wake up to the sound of low murmurs, voices blending in a hushed rhythm that doesn’t belong in my room. The absence of warmth around me makes it worse, my nest feeling colder without them. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sit up and listen. The voices are just outside the door and my chest tightens. Why didn’t they come in here?

Sliding out from under the blankets, I grab the nearest sweater—Amel’s, from the scent—and pull it over my head before stepping into the hallway. They’re standing there, Hunter and Moses, whispering like they’re plotting the end of the world. Moses notices me first, his gaze softening as he nudges Hunter.

I cross my arms over my chest. “Why aren’t you coming to bed?”

Hunter shuffles, his eyes darting to Moses like he’s asking for backup. “Do you… want us in there?”

I blink at him, confused. “Of course, I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

Moses sighs, his shoulders falling. “Koa, you saw what happened down there. You saw what we’re capable of.”

There’s an ache in my chest at the way they’re looking at me, like they’re afraid I’ll shatter if they move too close. I frown, taking a step forward. “I’ve heard the stories. I’ve seen the nightmares. I know how vicious you can be. But do you think for a second that changes how I feel?”

Moses moves toward me, his hand gently brushing along my cheek. “You don’t see us as monsters?”

I shake my head, leaning into his touch. “Even if you were,” I whisper, “you’re my monsters.”

For a moment, they just stare at me, their expressions shifting from uncertainty to something deeper, something unspoken. Then Moses’ hand falls to mine, his fingers threading through mine. I grab Hunter’s hand with my other, tugging them both toward the room. “Come to bed,” I tell them softly. “Please.”

I don’t have to ask twice as they follow me into the room. I climb back into the center, patting the pillows, silently telling them to find a spot beside me. Amel makes some kind of incoherent sound before tugging me against him. Moses saddles up against my back, Hunter on the other side of Amel.

Nestled between them, the tension melts away. Their scents surround me, my Omega self burrowed safely in my nest. My lids fall shut as I curl in tighter, letting myself finally relax now that we’re all here. Maybe I should ask what happened to my brother or if he’s still down there, tied up, left to waste away until the morning. And then I realize I don’t care because I have what I was searching for all along.

Not the Omega dream, not what anyone else told me I should want. I’ve foundmydream. And it’s perfect.

Epilogue

A MONTH LATER

The weight that used to sit on my chest like a lead anchor is gone. For the first time in years, I can breathe. Damien’s shadow isn’t looming over me, and the world doesn’t feel as suffocating. He’s got this massive scar across the left side of his face, a permanent disfigurement as a reminder of whose world he stepped into. He’s become some sort of pariah in the security business but that’s not my problem.

All in all, it’s kind of weird, really. Like I’ve forgotten what normal is supposed to feel like, but it’s smooth sailing withmy mates. Mostly. When they’re not growling at someone for looking at me strange, things are perfect.

The people at the company are nothing but kind. Whatever rumors Damien tried to stir up with that post were quickly silenced when it got taken down. Sure, there’s the occasional whisper, some curious glances when I pass, but it’s not mean-spirited. It’s not cruel. People smile now. They wave. One Omega even asked about my sweater the other day—Amel’s, of course, but I just said it was vintage and she looked impressed.

Still, there’s this ache I can’t shake, a little hollow spot in my chest that Carla fills. Cutting off that part of my life was the best decision I’ve ever made, but it doesn’t make it any easier. She’s probably still with Damien, still stuck in his world, and I want to reach out so badly. But what could I even say? “Hey, sorry your husband’s a monster, want to grab coffee?” It’s better this way, even if it hurts.

My days feel fuller now, though, especially since I convinced my mates to let me pick my shifts back up at the bookstore. It took a week of pleading looks and promises that I’d be careful, but they caved. The only rule is that one of them has to pick me up and drop me off. No arguments. No exceptions. They’re overprotective in the best way—hovering, sure, but in a way that feels more like love than suffocation.

Between the cuddles, the soft caresses, and the date nights they’ve planned, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on much. Amel takes me on these slow strolls across the estate, showing me little nooks and crannies he says are all mine now. Moses is always sneaking me away during office hours for coffee breaks or quick kisses in the hallway. And Hunter, gods, he’s relentless in the best way—grinning and tugging me into his lap at the most inconvenient moments, like he can’t bear to be away from me for too long.

Last night, they took me to the rooftop of their office building. The sky was clear, the stars scattered across the darkness like glitter. They’d set up a little picnic with a ridiculous amount of pillows and blankets, a soft glow of string lights hanging above us. It was perfect. It didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. Not the fancy dinners, not the public displays. Because this? This is my everything.

This morning, Moses was the one to drive me to the bookstore. He wouldn’t stop grumbling about how early it was and how he didn’t trust the Beta working there, but his smile when I kissed his cheek before hopping out of the car was worth it. I know they’re all trying, adjusting to my independence, and it makes me love them even more.

And now, I’m bursting out of my skin, Hunter having mentioned something about a present fifteen minutes ago. Moses won’t drive any faster, no matter how many blowjobs I pressure him with. I even try to reach over and unzip his pants but he actually slaps my hands away, murmuring something about patience.

The second I see the sleek black car parked in the driveway, my stomach twists into knots. It’s not one of ours—I know every inch of their cars by now. Hell, I can practically hear Hunter grumbling about scratches whenever he cleans them. But this one? It’s unfamiliar, almost intimidating in its sleekness. I frown, glancing at Moses as he pulls into the driveway.

“Whose car is that?” I ask.

---