(Olivia’s POV)

The massive warehouse door crashed open with a thunderous bang that jolted me awake. My body was covered in writhing, cold snakes, their scales sliding against my skin like liquid ice.

Strong hands plunged into the tank, pulling me out as snakes fell away from my body.

“My dear, don’t be afraid,” Theodore’s voice whispered against my ear as he tore the remaining serpents from my arms and legs.

My skin was covered in bite marks, blood seeping from dozens of puncture wounds. The venom burned through my veins like liquid fire, each pulse of my heart sending waves of agony through my body.

Theodore held me tightly against his chest, his amber eyes gleaming with a dark, predatory light that promised violence.

Jaxon grins so wide that it melts me. Then he goes right back to his truck, ying a little more loudly than before.

We sit there in the messy kitchen that we’ve not cleaned from breakfast yet, making ns like generals before a battle, but under the tension, there’s something stronger thrumming through us too. Hope. Because in one week, my son will no longer be just mine. He’ll be ours in the eyes of thew.

The rest of the week passes in a haze. Ryder had arranged for Jaxon to start going to the little makeshift school that he asked Regina to run for the pack kids until it is safe for them to attend their usual school. He came home the first day with grass in his hair, mud on his shoes, and a huge smile on his face, chattering nonstop about his day.

Seeing him so happy and carefree fills me with a joy I can’t even begin to describe. He’s making friends, learning in a way I couldn’t give him on my own, and it’s all I’ve ever wanted for him. But at the same time, it gnaws at me. The thought of him out there without me watching, without me close enough to snatch him up if something went wrong. I find myself constantly fighting the urge to go and check on him.

My heat ws at me in unpredictable waves, dragging me under until I can barely remember my own name. But I’m never left to face it alone. Ryder, Callen, Parker, and Remy keep me sated, each of them taking their turn with a kind of tenderness that makes me ache in ways that have nothing to do with heat.

They’re attentive to the smallest details too. Ryder always has water waiting for me after, Callen massages my legs when they cramp, Remy makes sure I eat something even when I’m too exhausted to lift a fork, and Parker keeps my pillows perfectly arranged, so I never have to wake up sore. It’s overwhelming, being cared for like this, being loved like this. It’s not something I’ve ever had before. When the heat’sst mes finally fade, I feel as though I’ve rebuilt myself from the inside out. Like I’m a different version of myself, and maybe my mates are too.

The heat seems to have bound us tighter. In the quiet moments between the waves, I felt something shift between us all. Ryder’s steady strength, Callen’s quiet care, Remy’s protectiveness, and Parker’s endless patience… they all seem more certain now, like they’ve all found their role in this rtionship. I’m just not sure what mine is yet.

One thing I am sure of though, is that what was once fragile and new, now feels steady and unshakable. This is love, fierce and undeniable, and it’s only growing stronger each day.

The bathroom mirror is already fogged over, which is probably a good thing; I can imagine how terrible I look right now. Remy lets me stand, but he holds me close while Callen moves around the bathroom, pours the salts in the water and tests the temperature. My legs still feel shaky just standing here; my body is heavy but sated. Ryder brings fresh towels in and ces them next to the tub before leaving again without a word. When Callen is finally happy, he looks over his shoulder and holds out a hand to me. I don’t hesitate.

“Come on, baby girl,” he says softly. “Let me take care of you.”

Remy releases me as I step toward him. He guides me into the tub, and the hot water soothes my skin, promising to ease the ache in my muscles. I sigh as I sink into it; the tension melting away. Callen slips in behind me. He pulls me back against his chest, and I rx into him instantly.

I look over to Remy, expecting him to join us, but I only see a glimpse of him as the door closes behind him, leaving me and Callen alone.

The bond thrums between us, new and bright. It’s not overwhelming, not wild like the first bite, but steady now. Every breath I take feels fuller, every heartbeat stronger with him pressed against me.

“You’re glowing,” Callen whispers, his lips brushing the top of my head. “Not just from the heat, but from the bond. Can you feel it?”

I nod, smiling as my eyes flutter shut. “It’s like… being wrapped in something warm. Like I found a missing part of myself.”

He exhales slowly, his handsnding gently on my shoulders. “That’s what I’ve dreamed of. Having this with you. Not just the bond itself, but to have you resting against me like this, trusting me to hold you.”

I tilt my head just enough to see his face; his eyes are softer than I’ve ever seen them. I try to find the right words for him. Because I see him now, better than ever, he might be the jokester, who has a very dominant streak in him, but like this, he’s soft and sweet; he’s mine.

“You’re so much gentler than you let on,” I tease.

He huffs augh. “Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation.”

I smile and close my eyes again as his hand moves slowly, carefully washing me. Every touch leaves a trail of goosebumps as he rubs soap over my shoulders, down my arms, across my back. It’s not rushed or heated, just careful. A ritual almost, like he’s memorising every inch of my body.

“You don’t have to…” I begin, but he hushes me with a kiss to my temple.

“Let me,” he murmurs. “You’re my mate. I want to take care of you.”

I sink deeper into his arms, letting him wash away the remnants of the heat and sweat. Between the heat of the water and the strength of him behind me, my mind and body finally go quiet.

When the water starts to cool, Callen helps me out, wrapping a soft towel around me before drying me off with the same careful tenderness he bathed me in. I don’t fight it. I just let him care for me and soak in this new thing between us.