Page 13 of Big Bad Alphas

“No need to apologize,” she assures him. “I’m just not used to all of this attention. I’ve been alone ever since my grandma passed last year.”

“I’m so sorry, beautiful,” Ezra says.

“Emily,” Patrick murmurs, taking her other hand in his.

“We’re here now,” I tell her. “You’ll never be alone again.”

Emily peers up at me, those green eyes filled with gratitude and longing. My heart clenches up at the sight. Our girl wants us. She wants a family, and that’s exactly what we’re going to give her.

I change the topic to something less serious, and we spend the next two hours discussing favorite movies, books, dream vacations, and everything under the sun. Patrick, Ezra, and I are not only learning about our mate but about each other. Our values all line-up, each of us wanting to be the best mates, fathers, and Alphas we can be - in that order. Emily and our cubs will always come first, and I’m relieved to know these two agree.

Emily yawns, and I look at my phone. It’s almost nine, and I know she must be exhausted. Our girl loves her bakery, and after hearing about her grandma, it’s easy to see why it’s so special to her. Still, we’ll need to adjust our schedules to match hers. She gets up so early, which means we’ll need to tuck her into bed closer to eight in the evening.

“Let’s get you home,” I say, standing from my position on the couch. We moved to the living room after dinner, hoping to make Emily more comfortable.

“That’s probably for the best,” she says with a nod. I hold out my hand for her to take, pulling her up and into my arms without even thinking about it.

Emily gasps and steadies herself with her palms on my chest. I groan, my heart hammering against my ribcage. When her eyes turn dark and she licks her bottom lip, I can’t hold back any longer.

I lean forward, my lips barely touching hers. I hold myself still, giving her plenty of time to back away. Instead, Emily lifts up on her tiptoes, pressing her curves against me and closing the distance between us.

Her taste permeates my senses, her sweet sighs making me ravenous for her. Instead of ripping her clothes off and spreading her out beneath me, I gently nip her lips, first the top, then the bottom, before licking inside her hot little mouth.

Emily’s breath hitches as her tongue slides against mine. Every nerve in my body sparks to life, and my hands find her hips, massaging her flesh and helping her grind against me.

Right as I’m about to dive even deeper into her sweetness, she’s being pulled out of my arms. Ezra spins Emily around, catching her in his embrace and dipping her backward, their noses barely touching. Our mate grins at him, then tips her head up, sealing her lips over his.

Instead of jealousy, I feel… complete. I don’t fear Emily choosing Ezra over me or Patrick. Something settles deep in my soul. Each of us gives her something different, and in return, she gives us everything.

Ezra straightens up and spins Emily out of his arms right into Patrick. He doesn’t hesitate to fuse his lips to Emily’s, taking her breath away as he backs her into the nearest wall. I groan at the sight of them indulging in their pleasure. Again, I’m struck by the fact that I’m not jealous. All I want is for Emily to feel special and loved. If it takes all three of us to show her how incredible she is? I’m up for the challenge.

CHAPTEREIGHT

EMILY

Today is different.

I can feel every nerve in my body, my skin is so sensitive, and there’s been a throbbing ache in my lower belly since I first kissed my mates two days ago. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them, and they haven’t been able to leave me alone. Not that I mind too much.

I look at myself in the mirror one last time, smoothing down my green dress before combing my fingers through my long hair. I’ve had this dress for years but never had the occasion to wear it. My grandma insisted I needed it in case I went on any hot dates. At the time, I laughed but humored her. It wasn’t the worst idea to have a pretty, “just in case” dress.

Now, I’m thankful I hung on to it all this time. I didn’t want to pull out the big guns on the first date since I wasn’t sure how any of this was going to work out.

When they walked me home from our first date, Wade, Patrick, and Ezra each kissed me again before asking me out on another date. Of course, I said yes. How could I not? After seeing the three of them hanging out and cooking together, I got a glimpse of what life could be like. If the three of them are able to be friends and also my mates, then this should work out perfectly. I hope.

Only one way to find out.

A knock sounds from my front door, and I give myself one more look-over before heading to the door. I barely have it open before Patrick has me up in his arms. I cling to his hard muscles, automatically wrapping my legs around his hips.

“This dress,” he grunts before kissing me soundly. I melt into him, my body turning into liquid at his touch.

Eventually, Patrick sets me down, but I don’t stay in one spot for long. Wade slides his hand around the small of my back, tugging me into his embrace as he peppers kisses up the side of my neck, pausing to nibble at a super sensitive spot behind my ear. “So damn sexy,” he rasps before taking my lips in a punishing kiss.

When we break for air, I find myself weak in the knees. Ezra is right there to catch me, holding me against his solid, warm chest and resting his forehead on mine. “Need a taste,” he says in a gravelly voice. I nod, opening up for him and welcoming his kiss.

I’m already so wound up from thinking about my three huge, chiseled mates all day, and now, after these kisses…

“You okay?” Wade asks me as I lean against the wall to catch my breath. I smile and nod, loving the way his eyes light up.

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