"Alpha," he corrected, his voice commanding yet tender against my ear. "Say it again."
"Alpha," I whispered, the word falling from my lips like a prayer as he continued his deliberate pace. His touch was gentler this time, mindful of my soreness yet still demanding in its intensity.
"That's it," he encouraged, his lips brushing against my neck as his fingers worked their magic. "Let me take care of you."
I surrendered to his touch, my body responding despite its exhaustion. This coupling was different—slower, deeper, more intimate. Julian's movements were measured, each thrust carefully controlled to bring pleasure without pain.
"So perfect," he murmured against my skin, his free hand stroking my hair with tender reverence. "My beautiful omega."
The endearment sent warmth blooming through my chest, different from the heat building lower. This was belonging, connection, something deeper than physical pleasure. I reached back, my fingers tangling in his hair as I turned my face toward his.
"Feels so good," I whispered, his movements slow but each one sending sparks of pleasure through me.
Julian leaned my head back, his lips found mine in a kiss that was both tender and claiming, his tongue sliding against mine as he maintained that slow, deliberate rhythm. I melted into him, my body surrendering completely to his gentle dominance.
"I love you," I whispered against his lips, the words spilling out before I could stop them.
Julian went completely still, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my heart race. "Say it again," he commanded softly, his voice rough with emotion.
"I love you," I repeated, my voice stronger this time. "I love you, Alpha."
His answering kiss was fierce and possessive, his movements becoming more urgent as he claimed my mouth. "I love you too," he growled against my lips. “You were made for us.”
The sensation of being claimed so thoroughly, of being so completely filled and cherished by him, was overwhelming. Julian's words—"You were made for us"—echoed through me, settling into places that had always felt hollow before.
His pace increased slightly, each thrust hitting that perfect spot inside me that made stars burst behind my eyelids. I was sore, yes, but the pleasure far outweighed any discomfort as he moved within me with practiced skill.
"Julian," I gasped, my body tightening around him as another climax began to build. "Alpha, I'm close—"
"Let go," he commanded softly, his fingers working more insistently where we were joined. "Give yourself to me again."
My release washed over me in gentle waves, less intense than before but somehow deeper, more profound. Julian followed moments later, his body tensing as he spilled inside me once more. This time, his knot formed more gradually, swelling to lock us together with less urgency than before. Julian held me close, his breathing ragged against my neck as we both trembled with the aftershocks of our shared pleasure.
Julian's arms tightened around me, protective and possessive. "You belong with us, Lilianna. You always will."
We lay together in comfortable silence, our bodies still joined as his knot kept us connected. The room had grown darker, evening shadows showing through the window as it got darker…and I had a feeling once we left the room there was going to be teasing from the others. I didn’t care. I was satisfied and knew what I wanted now.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Miles
I snorted hearing the sound of Lilianna’s moans echo through the house, “It sounds like those two are having fun.”
Christopher chuckled beside me on the couch, not looking up from the book he was reading. "Did you expect anything else? Julian's been holding back since she arrived."
"True," I agreed, turning back to my sketchpad. I'd been working on a design for the garden extension we'd discussed—a quiet space with a small fountain where Lilianna could practice her violin outdoors when the weather was nice. "He's always been the most restrained."
Nicolaus entered from the kitchen, carrying three mugs of coffee. "They've been at it for over two hours," he remarked, setting the mugs down on the coffee table. "A new record, even for Julian."
"I'm just glad she finally feels comfortable enough to explore that side of herself with all of us," I said, accepting my mug with a grateful nod.
Nicolaus looked up from his laptop where he'd been monitoring social media mentions. "The statement's been well-received. Most outlets are running with the 'modern love story' angle rather than digging deeper."
"Small mercies," I murmured, glancing toward the ceiling as another muffled sound filtered down. "How long do you think they'll be?"
Christopher's lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Given Julian's legendary stamina and the way he's been holding back?Hours."
"I'm not complaining," Nicolaus said, his fingers tapping methodically against his laptop. "She deserves this time with each of us individually. It's part of how she's learning to trust."
