Chapter 127

Ollie’s POV

Looking at my mates, my heart warms and my wolf, inside of me, rumbles happily. When I return my gaze to my brother Erik, while I am still happy to see him and know him, it just isn’t the same.

He might be my family, and his palace in the north might have been a place I might have once called my home, it’s not my home any longer.

Erik is both my brother and a stranger. He’s not someone I know well, and while I hope that will change over time, for now, his side is not where I belong.

“Thank you for the invitation,” I tell him. “But…”

I look behind me again, at my mates. Their faces were stern the last time I looked at them, as if they were trying to contain their disappointment, not wanting to influence or hurt me. Now, looking at them, I can see the touch of worry in their faces. Even Declan’s jaw is extra clenched.

At the same time, when their eyes meet mine, I can see the yearning there.

They wouldn’t say it, but I can tell clearly that they want me to stay.

Well, the feeling is mutual.

Despite all the hardships we’ve gone through, despite all the hurdles we have yet to face, this is where I belong. Here. With them.

My mates and I have a lot to overcome. There are hurts that haven’t been made up for yet. But if I leave, that will deny them the chance to fix those things they’ve broken. And nothing has been broken so much that it can’t be repaired.

Leaving them for more than a handful of days is unfathomable to me. At their side is where I want to be, it’s where I belong.

Looking at them, my mind has already been made up. Maybe I’ve known this all along, even before I came here today.

Maybe even before I knew the truth of my lineage.

Maybe since forever.

I give them a small smile, hoping to reassure them. The hope is clearest in Wes’s eyes. He takes a step closer to me, stopped only when Declan clasps his shoulder, holding him back.

They still want to give me space.

My heart made up, I faced Erik once more. “I’m sorry,” I told him. “While I’d love to come visit you from time to time, and hope you will come visit me here, this pack is where I belong. These four…” I wave back to the quadruplets. “They are my mates, and I’m not ready to leave them. I don’t think I ever will be.”

Erik seems surprised a moment, his eyes widening.

Behind me is a deafening silence that has my heart leap into my throat. Have I misread things? Did they want me to leave with Erik? Were they hoping I would?

No, I can’t believe that. I have to be true to my heart. We can sort all this out later.

“Four Alpha mates…” Erik says and whistles. “Damn, Sis.”

I laugh, and he smiles.

“I would never force you away from your mates,” Erik says. “Having found you, and being given the chance to know you. That is more than enough for me. I hope you are amenable to us becoming friends?”

I nod. “I’d love to have my brother as my friend,” I say, smiling at the words. It still feels so strange, having family. It gives me a strange sort of hope, knowing that any children I have will have a chance to know their full lineage. They will have many doting cousins, I’m sure, as well as a protective uncle.

I give Erik another hug, and then hug Professor Hunter for organizing this. After contact information is exchanged, we agree to meet for dinner, then split up. Hunter and Erik walk one way, and I turn away to face my mates.

Even Declan is smiling.

“You are staying with us,” Wes says, sounding breathless.

“Yes,” I say, then feel a bit shy. “Is that okay?”

“Is that…?” Conrad repeats, scoffing. He crosses the distance first, and closes his arms around me. He waits for nothing before leaning down and kissing me. “Your place is at our side,” he says against my lips. “The rest of your life, we will love and protect you, and treat you the way you deserve.”

We have a long way to go, but this… This is a damn good start.

I’m passed around between the brothers, earning hugs and kisses from each, even Hugh, who has a sudden burst of strength, pushing aside his cane.

When his kiss is done, I roll my eyes, grab his cane, and insist on giving it back to him. “We are going back to the hospital, now,” I tell him.

“I feel fine,” he says.

“You don’t want to take chances, do you?” I ask. “You say you want forever, so you wouldn’t try to cut that short, would you?”

That quiets him.

On the walk back the hospital, they are closer to me than they were on the way here. This time, everyone’s smiling as we walk forward.

Months later, I nervously pace in the back of the banquet hall venue. Diane is beside me, smiling gently as she adjusts the sash that crosses over my bodice.

“There’s no need for nerves,” she assures me. “After all, you already have their love. This just makes things official in front of the pack.”

I’m suddenly very aware of the four bite marks visible on my neck, each distinguishing a mating bond with one of the four brothers. With my low cut dress, they are each on clear display, just as my mates wanted it.

But I can’t help but feel somewhat embarrassed, remembering the wild, pleasurable nights that led to the bite marks being there.

I’m not ashamed, just… well, I can’t stop blushing.

Diane touches my cheek. “All you have to do is go to them. Walk up the aisle and take your rightful place at their side. They will take care of the rest.”

When she puts it like that, it should be easy. Just a small walk. Nothing to worry about.

What she doesn’t mention is that almost everyone in the pack is waiting in this banquet hall, eager to see their new Luna. I think some of them can’t believe it. They still remember me as the outcast, the betrayer, Sylvia’s servant.

“It’s time,” Diane says and leads me to the entryway.

The double doors open and it’s my time.

Everyone in the room is looking at me, and for a moment, I’m totally frozen. The aisle way feels miles long, and the room is so packed, I’m having trouble catching my breath.

Then Conrad speaks, “May I introduce your new Luna. Our mate and love, Ollie.”

My eyes meet his across the grand expanse. And then Wes, Declan, and Hugh.

The rest of the room seems to fall entirely away, and it is just me and them. Maybe this distance isn’t so long after all, not if it leads me to them.

My mates. My Alphas. My loves.

Suddenly, it’s not all that difficult to step forward.

They are all I can see, and I’m simply moving towards them.

My feet move all on their own, moving me closer like it’s what I’ve been born for.

And when I finally reach them, and we all share private smiles, I know, without question…

I am home.

This is where I’ve always been meant to be.

And now, we face forward and face our future together.