THE NEXT MORNING
XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:
I groaned into the pillow, face already burning with the shame of existing. Morning light spilled through the curtains, soft and golden, but it felt like it was judging me. Harshly. I didn't have to open my eyes to remember. My whole body reminded me. My neck ached faintly no, not pain. Warmth. A lingering tingle from the mark. Marks. Plural. I let out a pitiful sound, something between a whimper and a growl. Last night... had happened. The heat. The touches. Their words. The way I gave in.
"Ugh." I muttered into the pillow. "Why didn't I bite my own arm off instead?"
"System notification: Emotional spike detected — 93% embarrassment rate. Congratulations, you are now officially marked by two Alphas. Status updated: 'Claimed (x2)."System said.
"System." I hissed, dragging the blanket over my head. "Now is not the time."
"System Suggestion: Perhaps you should thank them for the excellent genetic pairing. Also, your pheromonal compatibility has increased by 30%. Shall I send them a thank you card"System asked.
"I hate you."I said.
"A common side effect of falling in love."System said.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"No. Nope. Shut up."I said.
I kicked at the blanket, trying to untangle my legs. My whole body still ached in a weirdly satisfied way I refused to acknowledge. My skin felt too warm, too tender. The scent of them still clung to my hair. How was I supposed to face either of them now? Voices murmured from the next room. One of them, Michael, maybe, laughed lowly. Jaxon was probably sharpening something unnecessarily, pretending not to be anxious. I curled tighter.
"System Notification: Your mates appear to be preparing breakfast. Omelets. High in protein. Good for recovering from intense... bonding."The system said.
"Stop. Talking."I said.
"System Note: You enjoyed it. Just saying."System said.
It's I could almost feel it grinning behind those words. I buried my face deeper in the mattress, trying to vanish from the universe. If I moved slowly, maybe I could sneak past the doorway. Maybe they'd be distracted. Maybe the gods would grant me invisibility out of sheer pity. I tiptoed out from the tangled sheets, grabbing the first oversized shirt I could find. It was Jaxon's, unfortunately, and pulling it over my head. It swallowed me, hanging almost to my knees. I grimaced. His scent clung to it like a second skin.
"System observation: Attempting stealth in an Alpha's scentmarked clothing reduces success rate to 14%."System said.
"Helpful as ever." I hissed.
"System suggestion: Perhaps a dramatic exit would be more fitting? You've already committed to the brooding omega type."System said.
"Shut up."I groaned.
I cracked the door open. There they were. Michael stood at the counter in the shared sitting room, flipping something in a pan, humming under his breath. Jaxon was leaning against the wall near the window, arms crossed, jaw tight but his eyes flicked immediately to the door the second it creaked. Shit. Too late.
"Xavier." Jaxon said, voice lower than usual, too soft.
Too careful. Michael turned, spatula still in hand, brows lifting in a mix of surprise and guilt.
"You're awake." Michael said.
I froze. This wasn't happening. This was a nightmare. Any second now I'd wake up back in the forest, alone, a virgin again, dignity intact.
"Morning." I croaked, voice half dead.
Michael smiled, like he didn't know I had spent the whole night losing my damn mind with both of them.
"We made food. You should eat."He said.
Jaxon stepped forward.
"Are you okay?"He asked.
I took a step back.
"I uh I was just going." I gestured vaguely toward the hallway. "Bathroom. Yeah."
"System analysis: That was the worst lie you've told all week. System rating: 2/10. No conviction. No plan. No escape route."System said.
Michael's mouth twitched like he was trying not to laugh.
"I'm fine,."I added quickly, already retreating. "Great. Fantastic. Fully functioning omega, thanks for asking."
"Xavier-" Jaxon started, but I shook my head.
"Nope. Do not want to unpack last night right now."I whispered.
"System reminder: Emotional intimacy is a critical component of healthy mating bonds."System said.
"I swear I will uninstall you." I muttered.
But before I could make a full retreat, the scent of warm food hit my stomach like a punch, and I remembered I hadn't eaten since... yesterday? The day before? Michael took a step forward, holding out a plate like a peace offering.
"At least eat. Please."He said.
I stood there, shirt swallowing me whole, hair a mess, marked on both sides of my neck, face burning, heart pounding and somehow... my feet didn't move. My pride said run, but the hunger, the memory of how careful their hands had been, how gentle their voices were now... it kept me frozen.
"I hate both of you." I muttered, stepping forward and snatching the plate.
Michael smiled. Jaxon sighed. And I sat down, cheeks still burning, silently plotting how to rewind time and punch past me in the throat.
"Well, well. Look who's finally up." I turned slowly. Selene. Of course.
She floated in like she owned the place, because she probably did with that unreadable smile that made me want to shrink into a sock drawer and never come out again. Her eyes, glowing faintly silver, scanned me from head to toe. And then... she beamed.
"I'm proud of you, little moon." She said softly, walking straight up to me.
I nearly choked on my toast.
"Wh-what?"I asked.
"Last night." She purred, stopping beside me. "You were... exquisite."
Michael coughed. Jaxon looked away, ears pink.
"Why you- No, you weren't there, were you?" I asked, scandalized.
She leaned down. Her hand brushed gently through my hair, ruffling it like I was some sort of overachieving kitten.
"I don't need to be there to know what happened, Xavier. You glowed."Selene said.
"System alert: Body temperature spiking. Emotional regulation failing. Entering: Embarrassment overload."System grinned.
"Stop narrating my breakdown." I muttered, cheeks now full on burning.
Selene's hand continued to stroke over my head, smoothing my hair like I was a prize omega pup.
"You've come such a long way. I'm proud of you. You accepted care. You opened up. You let yourself feel."She said.
"I let myself be ruined." I hissed under my breath.
"System clarification: Physiological integrity confirmed. You are, in fact, very intact. Thoroughly bonded,but intact."System explained.
"I hate you all." I whispered, stuffing more food into my mouth just to avoid talking.
Jaxon cleared his throat.
"Selene, you're not helping."He said.
"But I am." She said. "He's just shy."
"I am not shy." I snapped.
She leaned in close, voice dropping.
"You moaned both their names, you know."She whispered teasingly.
The fork clattered from my hand.
"SELENE!"I shouted.
She cackled, absolutely delighted, and finally stepped back.
"Eat up, sweetheart. You're going to need your strength."She said.
"For what?" I asked suspiciously.
"That depends." She smirked. "Do you plan on running again?"
I glared at her. Then at Jaxon. Then at Michael. And finally back to my plate.
"No comment." I muttered.
"System note: Silence means acceptance. Good job, mate."System said.
"Shut up."I said.