Chapter18
When Ronan and Aidan finally broke apart from their kiss, both were breathing heavily, the bond between the three of them flaring with such intensity that it left them all momentarily dazed. The room seemed to pulse with the energy, and Eimear found herself clinging to the warmth of it, her heart racing in time with theirs.
"I think cold showers are in order," Ronan said with a strained laugh, his voice still tinged with the heat of the moment. The energy continued to linger, thick in the air, even as they tried to compose themselves.
"Agreed," Aidan replied, his tone equally tight, just as Eimear’s stomach let out another loud growl, breaking the spell and bringing them back to reality. Her mates chuckled, the tension between them easing as they shifted their focus to the day ahead.
Reluctantly, the three of them pulled themselves from the warmth of the bed and began getting ready.
Breakfast in the Alpha house was always a grand affair, and today was no different. The long side bench in the dining room was covered with an impressive spread of fruits, pastries, warm and cold meats, and an assortment of drinks. The mouthwatering scents filled the air, making Eimear’s stomach rumble again as she eagerly filled her plate.
Her mates watched in amused silence as she stacked her plate high with food. Aidan’s lips twitched with a smile, and Ronan’s raised brow held a teasing glint, but neither said a word, letting her revel in her hunger.
Sean and his mate entered the dining room shortly after. Spotting Eimear with her heaping plate, Sean’s face broke into a wide grin. His steps quickened as he approached Aidan, pulling him aside as Ronan and Eimear went to take their seats.
"She hasn’t come in here in ages, let alone eaten like that," Sean said, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you."
Aidan placed a reassuring hand on Sean’s shoulder, his expression warm. "She said her appetite has come back since we bonded. You don’t need to worry about her anymore, Sean. We’ll look after her."
Sean nodded, visibly relieved, before returning to his seat. Moments later, Maeve walked in. She froze when she saw Eimear, her eyes wide with disbelief. Without a word, she spun on her heel and returned moments later with Declan. Together, they stood in the doorway, staring at Eimear as if seeing a ghost.
"Eimear, sweetheart," Maeve said, her voice trembling, "it’s been so long since you joined us."
Eimear shrugged, a soft smile playing on her lips. "I’m starving this morning, Mam."
Declan’s expression softened as he glanced at Aidan and Ronan. "I hope everything is to your liking," he said, his voice measured but polite.
"More than," Aidan replied with a polite smile.
Declan’s gaze lingered on Eimear’s mates, his tone becoming formal. "The pack will begin work on your house today. Hopefully, it won’t take too long so you can all have some privacy."
"Thank you," Aidan said sincerely.
Ronan, ever direct, added, "We’re putting together a training routine for Eimear. I’d love your input on the wolf training side of things."
Declan’s chest puffed with pride, though Liam and Sean exchanged exasperated eye rolls.
"I didn’t think a member of the Ossory pack would need input from someone like me," Declan said, though the pride in his voice was unmistakable.
Ronan inclined his head respectfully. "You know your daughter and her creature better than I do. I’ve never trained anything with wings before."
Declan’s demeanor shifted, his pride tempered by understanding. He clapped a hand on Ronan’s shoulder. "I’ll help however I can."
Over the next few days, life settled into a comfortable rhythm. Each morning began in a cocoon of intimacy. Before breakfast, Eimear, Aidan, and Ronan would spend time together, getting to know one another, exchanging soft words and deepening kisses. Eimear couldn’t help but notice the growing tension between Aidan and Ronan whenever they kissed—how their longing for each other simmered just beneath the surface. She found herself eagerly anticipating the moment they would finally give in to their desires, a thrill coursing through her every time the thought crossed her mind.
After breakfast, Eimear spent her mornings assisting Maeve. Whether tending to the herb garden or helping with pack duties, she was slowly reintegrating into the community she had once withdrawn from. The pack welcomed her presence with warmth, and she found herself smiling more often than she could remember.
Meanwhile, Ronan and Aidan crafted her training schedule alongside Declan, drawing on his knowledge to ensure every detail was precise. In their downtime, the two men trained with her brothers or joined patrols, their presence earning respect and curiosity from the pack.
The evenings were a joy Eimear hadn’t anticipated. After a long day, the trio would shower and prepare for family dinner. Eimear, who once dreaded these meals, now cherished them. Watching how Aidan and Ronan interacted with her family brought her immense pride and satisfaction. They were charming, thoughtful, and had a knack for fitting seamlessly into the dynamic, easing any lingering concerns her family might have had.
When the day finally came to an end, the three would collapse into bed, tangled together in an exhausted but blissful heap. The bond between them seemed to grow stronger with each passing day, and for the first time in a long time, Eimear felt completely at peace.
One morning after breakfast, Aidan and Ronan presented the finalized training schedule to the family. The room grew quiet as they explained their plans.
Ronan led the discussion. "We’ll start with the basics—building strength and endurance through core exercises and maneuvers. Combat training will follow, with a focus on sparring and tactics. The challenge, of course, will be incorporating Eimear’s wings into her human and Cosantóir forms."
Aidan picked up where Ronan left off. "For the magic training, we’ll start with control exercises and gradually explore the full range of her abilities. This includes elemental spells, wards, and offensive techniques. The goal is to make sure she’s prepared for anything."
Declan nodded approvingly. "It sounds thorough. Let’s see the setup."
They led the group to the clearing where their new house was being built. When Eimear caught sight of the completed training area, her breath hitched. It was stunning.
The combat section featured an expansive sparring area covered in soft turf, training dummies with moving parts, and even a raised platform for aerial maneuvers. The obstacle course, with its climbing walls and balance beams, looked both challenging and exhilarating.
The magic training section was equally remarkable. Aidan had created an area divided into zones for different types of magical exercises. One part of the space featured targets at various distances, perfect for honing precision and control. Another zone was marked with glowing runes and circles, designed for practicing wards and sigils. A small, enchanted pool shimmered in the sunlight, its waters infused with magical energy to help Eimear focus on elemental spells. Finally, there was a space with magically reinforced walls and a shielded roof, allowing her to practice offensive spells without worrying about collateral damage.
The entire training area was bordered by tall, ancient trees, creating a sense of privacy while also keeping her connected to nature. Wooden benches and tables had been set up nearby, along with a small structure that housed basic equipment,
Eimear stared in awe, her chest tightening with a mixture of pride, gratitude, and nerves. The effort her mates had poured into this space—into her—was overwhelming. They believed in her, even when she doubted herself.
"This… this is incredible," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Ronan placed a hand on her shoulder, his grin warm. "We wanted to make sure you had everything you needed to become the strongest version of yourself, little mate."
Aidan nodded, his gaze soft but determined. "You’re going to do amazing things here, Eimear. This is just the beginning."