Knot Now, Maybe Knot Ever

Chapter 10: Sebastian

⚠️Sebastian, Monday, April 7th

I find myself back in the mansion's entryway, my footsteps echoing against the polished wooden floors. The grand chandelier casts dancing shadows across the foyer as the door clicks shut behind me. I pause when I notice Maddox standing at the bottom of the sweeping staircase, his powerful frame silhouetted against the warm light. His eyes lock onto mine, dark with concern.

"Where have you been?" he asks, his voice carefully neutral, but I can hear the concern beneath it. His blue eyes scan me from head to toe, checking for injuries, for signs of distress.

My throat tightens. Every part of me yearns to tell him about her—the omega by the stream, her haunting beauty, the bruise that marred her delicate features. But something holds me back. Perhaps it's the memory of how quickly I was dismissed earlier, how easily my opinions were set aside.

"Walking," I say instead, the word falling from my lips like a stone. "Needed to clear my head."

Glancing around, I notice the mansion is unnaturally quiet, no sign of the others.

"They're giving us space," Maddox says, reading my thoughts with the uncanny perception he's always had. "After what happened..."

He lets the sentence hang between us, unfinished. I cross my arms over my chest, a defensive posture I can't help adopting.

"After I dared to have an opinion, you mean?" The words come out sharper than I intended, my earlier anger rekindling.

"After I made you feel worthless," Maddox corrects, his voice low and pained. "Which was never my intention, Sebastian."

The use of my full name rather than the usual 'Bash' signals his seriousness. I glance up at him, surprised by the open regret in his expression. Maddox rarely admits fault, his alpha pride usually too strong to allow for such vulnerability.

"You treated me like a child," I say, but the heat has gone out of my accusation. "Like I'm not a part of this pack."

"You are this pack," Maddox says firmly, stepping closer to me. "You're its heart. Which is precisely why I can't risk you on this mission."

His hand reaches up slowly, giving me time to pull away if I want to. When I don't, his palm cups my cheek, thumb brushing across my cheekbone with a gentleness that belies his strength. The simple touch makes my breath catch, my omega instincts responding to his alpha presence despite my lingering frustration.

"I should have explained that better," he continues, his voice dropping to a rumble that I feel more than hear. "Instead of shutting you down. I'm sorry, Bash."

The apology, so rare from him, dissolves the last of my resistance. I lean into his touch, eyes closing briefly as I inhale his cedarwood and leather scent more deeply. When I open them again, his face is closer, his gaze intense and focused entirely on me.

In a swift, almost magnetic motion, Maddox closes the remaining distance between us. His dark eyes burn with apology and a fierce desire that leaves me momentarily lost. His hand slides from my cheek to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair as our lips meet in a kiss that starts gentle but quickly blazes into something more urgent.

I melt against him, my body recognizing its alpha, responding to him on a level beyond conscious thought. My hands grasp at his shirt, bunching the fabric as I pull him closer, needing to feel the solid warmth of him against me.

"Upstairs," he murmurs against my lips. "Now."

The word vibrates through me, a command I have no desire to resist. His touch ignites something primal in me, washing away the lingering frustration from our earlier argument. Each step up the stairs builds the tension between us, the air growing thick with anticipation and shared need.

We bypass our individual bedrooms, heading instead for the circular tower structure at the end of the hall—my nest, my private sanctuary within the larger pack home. Maddox opens the door, and the familiar scents of our pack—mine, his, Axel's, Warrick's, Gabriel's, and Jace's, all mingled together—wash over me like a warm embrace.

The nest itself is recessed into the floor, a plush, waterproof mattress covered by soft blankets and pillows that I've arranged to my liking. Fairy lights drape around the edges, casting a gentle glow over the aquamarine-colored walls. It's cozy and secure, a place where I always feel safe, always feel cherished.

Maddox's hands are on me again as soon as the door closes behind us, more urgent now in the privacy of our sanctuary. His lips find mine in a searing, all-consuming kiss that makes my knees buckle. His tongue pushes into my mouth, claiming, exploring, sending sparks of pleasure down my spine that make me whine softly against him.

I feel Maddox's hand trail gently along my jaw, his fingers descending to my neck as he deepens the kiss, each caress a delicate blend of tender protection and animalistic need.

The sound of the door opening sends a shiver down my spine, but it's not fear—it's anticipation. Axel and Jace stand in the doorway, their presence completing something I hadn't realized was missing. The air grows heavier with their combined scents: Axel's spiced wood and nutmeg mixing with Jace's soothing bergamot and rain.

"Started without us?" Axel asks, a dangerous smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as he and Jace step inside, closing the door behind them.

"Just getting warmed up," Maddox replies, his voice rough with need. He returns his attention to me, eyes burning with intensity. "Isn't that right, omega?"

The word sends a shiver through me, an instinctual response to the dominance in his tone. I nod, unable to find my voice as Axel approaches, his tattooed arms flexing as he pulls his own shirt off in one fluid motion.

A sudden thought breaks through the haze of desire. "Where are Gabriel and Warrick?" I ask, my voice breathless but curious.

"Finishing up last-minute prep for tomorrow's mission," Maddox explains, his hands never stopping their exploration of my body. "They'll be tied up for a few more hours at least."

The explanation settles something in me—they're not avoiding me, just focused on keeping everyone safe. Axel catches my chin, turning my face toward him.

"Don't worry about them right now," he growls, his blue eyes dark with hunger. "Focus on us."

My eyes move to Jace as he leans against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he watches us. Unlike Axel's aggressive entrance, he exudes a calm assurance, the scent of bergamot and fresh rain providing a soothing balm to the crackling tension in the air.

As our eyes meet, Jace pushes away from the wall with fluid grace, joining us in the nest. His fingers trail up my arm, each touch deliberate and teasing. Meanwhile, Axel circles behind me, the mattress dipping under his weight as he settles close. His chest presses against my back, skin hot against mine, as his hands slide around my waist.

The change in dynamic is electric—four heartbeats syncing, four bodies finding their natural positions. Maddox's grip on my hips tightens possessively even as he makes room for the others, a silent acknowledgment of our pack's unique bond. The air grows thick with pheromones, our combined scents creating an intoxicating blend that makes my omega purr with contentment.

Every touch feels like forgiveness, every kiss like understanding. The earlier conflict melts away beneath their hands, replaced by a different kind of intensity—one that speaks of belonging and acceptance. Here, in our nest, surrounded by their scents and their love, I'm not just an omega to be protected. I'm their equal, their partner, their heart.

Maddox's fingers find the hem of my shirt, tugging it upward with careful intent. The others follow his lead, clothes falling away in unhurried succession until we're all bare. The cool air raises goosebumps across my exposed flesh, quickly chased away by the heat of their touches.

Our limbs intertwine, skin against skin, a symphony of movement and touch. Maddox draws me close, his hands mapping the contours of my body. Axel and Jace press nearer, their touches growing bolder. The air thickens with the intoxicating scent of our shared arousal, four distinct scents blending into a heady fragrance.

"Look at you," Axel growls, his voice thick with need as he slides his hand down my ass before gently probing at my entrance. "Already so wet for us."

He's right—I can feel the slick dripping down my thighs, my body preparing itself for what's to come. The scent of my arousal mingles with theirs, creating a heady cocktail that makes my head spin.

In the dim, flickering light, every touch becomes its own language. Maddox lays back in the center of the nest, as his commanding caresses guide me to straddle his lap. The sight of my alpha and his dark, dangerous beauty takes my breath away. Reaching between us, he grabs his massive c*ck, guiding it to my entrance as I gradually sink down onto him with a gasping moan. I pause once he is fully seated, willing my body to adjust, the stretch bordering on painful before turning to pleasure. His hands grip my hips, guiding my movements as I slowly begin to ride him.

"F*ck, Sebastian," he groans, his eyes half-lidded with pleasure.

Behind me, Axel's presence looms closer. His fingers, slick with my own wetness, probe alongside Maddox's c*ck, stretching me further. The burn is delicious, bordering on too much yet not enough.

"Ready for more?" Axel's voice is a dangerous whisper against my ear.

I nod, beyond words now. Jace moves to kneel beside us, his c*ck level with my mouth. As Axel begins to press inside me alongside Maddox, I gasp at the burning stretch, my body trembling with the overwhelming sensation. The pressure is intense, bordering on too much—a delicious pain that makes my vision blur. My fingers dig into Maddox's shoulders as I try to breathe through it.

"Easy," Maddox murmurs, his hand stroking my back soothingly. "Breathe for us, omega."

Axel stills, giving me time to adjust to their combined girth. The burn gradually transforms into a deep, aching pleasure that has me whimpering. When I finally manage to take Jace between my lips, the triple sensation—the stretch, the fullness, the weight on my tongue—overwhelms my senses completely. My omega preens at being able to please all three of them at once, even as tears gather at the corners of my eyes from the intensity.

The feel of both of my alphas filling me is exquisite, their c***s rubbing against each other inside me. Reaching between us, Maddox strokes my own erection in time with their thrusts, the pleasure building to impossible heights.

"So good," Jace murmurs, his fingers tangling gently in my hair as I take him deeper. "You're doing so well."

The praise sends a shiver through me, making me moan around Jace's length. The vibration draws a groan from him in return.

We move together in a perfect rhythm, the four of us connected in the most intimate way possible. Sweat slicks our skin, the scent of s*x heavy in the air. I'm drowning in sensation—the fullness inside me, the taste of Jace on my tongue, the pressure building at the base of my spine.

"Close," Axel grunts, his thrusts growing erratic. His fingers dig into my hips hard enough to bruise as he pistons into me with desperate intensity. I can feel the telltale twitch of his c*ck, the beginning swell at its base. With a growl that rumbles through his chest and into mine, he pulls out just before his knot begins to swell, coming across my back in hot pulses.

The warm heat from his c*m trails down my spine, marking me with his scent in the most primal way. The possessive gesture combined with Maddox's relentless pace sends electricity racing through my nerves. My body trembles on the edge of release, caught between pleasure and over-sensitivity as Maddox continues to stroke me.

The sensation tips me over the edge, my release spilling over Maddox's fist as I cry out around Jace's c*ck. The vibrations of my moan travel through him, making him grip my hair tighter. Jace follows moments later, his body tensing as he floods my mouth with his release, the salty-sweet taste coating my tongue.

I swallow everything he gives me, my eyes locked with his as he watches me take all of him. When he finally pulls away, Jace leans down, kissing me deeply, his tongue exploring my mouth and sharing his taste between us. The intimacy of it—this exchange of pleasure and essence—makes me shudder with renewed desire even as my body still pulses with aftershocks.

Maddox growls suddenly, tensing beneath me. I can feel his knot catching with each thrust. Gripping my hips tighter, he gives one more powerful thrust, his knot slipping inside me, swelling and locking us together as his orgasm hits. His deep groan fills the room as he holds me tight against him, both of us trembling with aftershocks.

The sensation is overwhelming—that delicious stretch that makes my toes curl and my breath catch. I can feel the hot pulses of his release, the way his powerful arms tighten around my waist like he's afraid I might slip away. I touch his face, fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw as our bodies remain connected in the most intimate way possible. His breath, coming in ragged pants that gradually slow as the intensity ebbs, leaving behind a satisfied warmth that spreads through my entire being.

Eventually, the fevered intensity subsides, and I lie tangled in our shared haven, drifting on the edge of sleep. Axel cleaned us up with surprising tenderness and now sprawls beside us, his hand resting possessively on my thigh. His touch is warm and heavy, an anchor keeping me grounded even as my mind floats in post-orgasmic bliss. Jace curls against my other side, his gentle humming a soothing counterpoint to the alphas' deeper breathing. The beta's scent of bergamot and rain mingles with our collective aromas, creating a perfect harmony that makes me feel utterly safe and cherished in this intimate cocoon we've created together.

As I lay here with my pack, my family, my mind gradually returns to the forest. The irony isn't lost on me—how can I feel so completely safe and cherished while knowing another omega lives in fear? The contrast makes my heart ache even as my body remains languid with satisfaction.

I can feel the gentle touches of Maddox's fingertips through my hair, Jace's warm breath against my skin, and Axel's gentle strokes against my thigh. The physical comfort surrounds me like a blanket, but my mind refuses to settle completely. In this perfect moment of safety and love, the image of her bruised face feels even more stark, more wrong.

Sensing my inner turmoil, Maddox murmurs softly, "What's wrong?" as his hand tenderly brushes a lock of hair from my face.

In a hushed voice, I confess, "I'm worried about tomorrow's mission. I hate when you all leave." It's only half the truth, but I can't bring myself to mention her yet—not until I understand what I saw myself.

"We'll always come back to you," Maddox promises, his voice dropping into that soothing alpha purr that vibrates through his chest. "Nothing could keep us apart."

Sleep tugs at my consciousness, but even as I drift off in their protective embrace, my mind wanders back to the stream. To her. The contrast is stark—my safety and love against her fear and pain. I nestle deeper into Maddox's arms, grateful for my pack while knowing that somewhere out there, another omega doesn't have this sanctuary.

Tomorrow, I'll try and figure out a way to help her. But for now, I let myself be loved.