Chapter 50: After Care
I wake up drowning.
Submerged under layers of heat and weight and muscle. My eyes flutter open, and for a disorienting moment, I can’t figure out where I am or what’s happening. Everything’s dark, warm, suffocating.
I try to move and hit a stop. There’s weight everywhere, draped over me, beside me, pinning my legs. I’m in the middle of the bed, and all five of my alphas are piled around me like a den of wolves protecting their most precious possession.
Which, I suppose, is exactly what I am.
Any normal day I would bask in this, find comfort. But right now, all I feel is overwhelmed. I’m sweating, my skin sticky and hot where it’s pressed against theirs. My hair is plastered to my forehead and neck. And I’m covered in—
Oh god.
I’m still covered in cum. I passed right out earlier. It’s still clinging to my thighs, my stomach, even a bit on my nipples. The evidence of what we did is all over me, and I’m acutely aware of how used I must look.
My pussy aches, a deep, throbbing soreness that reminds me of every thrust, every stretch, every moment of being filled. I’m tender and swollen, and when I shift slightly, I feel more cum leak out of me, adding to the mess coating my inner thighs.
I need water. My throat is parched, raw from screaming and from taking Leo down my throat. I need food, my stomach is cramping with hunger, my body depleted from the intensity of what we just did and, well, the puking. And I desperately, desperately need a shower.
But I can’t move.
Ezra is behind me, one massive arm draped over my waist, his face buried in my neck. His breathing is deep and even, completely relaxed in a way I’ve never seen him. Leo is on my other side, one leg thrown over mine, his hand resting possessively on my hip. River has the other leg in his hand. And Jax, sweet, beautiful Jax is draped across my middle, his head on my stomach, his arms wrapped around my waist.
I try to wiggle out from under them, just a little, just enough to breathe. The moment I move, Ezra’s arm tightens, pulling me back against his chest. Leo makes a sleepy growling sound and presses closer. Jax nuzzles into my stomach.
I’m trapped.
I huff out a frustrated breath. As soon as that sound is released, there’s movement from the edge of the bed. Corrian’s spooning Jax from behind, and at my sound of frustration, his head pops up. Even in the dim light filtering through the curtains, I can see his warm eyes watching me with concern.
"Everything okay, princess?" he whispers, his voice barely audible over the sound of four alphas breathing deeply in sleep.
The endearment makes my chest tight. I’m something precious, something to be cherished and protected. Not just a body to be used, not just a pack whore like I’d feared.
I shake my head, and even that small movement is difficult with how pinned I am.
Corrian’s expression softens, and he chuckles quietly, an understanding sound that makes me feel both better and worse. Better because he’s not judging me, not disgusted by the state I’m in. Worse, because the kindness in that sound makes me want to cry.
He carefully extracts himself from behind Jax, moving with practised grace that screams he’s done this before, navigated this pile of sleeping alphas without waking them. He reaches across Jax’s body and takes my hand, his fingers strong as they wrap around mine.
"Come on," he murmurs. "Let’s get you sorted."
He pulls, gently but firmly, and manages to slide me out from under the pile without waking anyone. They grumble in their sleep, arms reaching for me, but Corrian quickly replaces my body with a pillow. Ezra pulls it close and settles, and I feel an absurd pang of jealousy toward a pillow.
Then I’m free, standing on shaky legs beside the bed, and the full reality of my situation hits me.
Still totally naked. Covered in cum and sweat and the evidence of being thoroughly fucked. My hair is a tangled mess. My thighs are tacky and gross. And Corrian is standing there, fully naked himself, his cock soft but still impressive, looking at me with such tender concern I want to hide from it.
I’m embarrassed. Vulnerable in a way I wasn’t during the sex itself. During the claiming, I was powerful, desired, wanted, fought over. Now I just feel small and used and dirty.
He seems to sense my discomfort but doesn’t say anything. He just keeps holding my hand and leads me toward the bathroom, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on my skin.
Delivered in front of the huge shower, he goes in and turns on the water. Steam starts to fill the space, and I watch it curl and rise, mesmerised by the simple beauty of it.
"Come here, princess," Corrian says softly.
He takes my hand again and leads me into the shower. The warm water hits my skin, and I nearly sob with relief. It feels so good, washing away the sweat and stickiness. I close my eyes and just stand there, letting it pour over me.
My eyes fly open when fingers slip into my hair.
"Shh," he soothes, reaching for a bottle of shampoo. "I want to take care of you."
The evil bitch inside wants to tell him I can wash myself. I quiet her, I want him to care for me, I deserve comfort. I’m so tired, so overwhelmed, and his hands are so adoring as he works the shampoo into my hair. His fingers massage my scalp, working through the tangles, and it feels so good.
"Relax," he murmurs, his voice low and soothing. "I’ll do the work."
He rinses my hair carefully, making sure no soap gets in my eyes, his hand cupped over my forehead to shield my face. Applies conditioner, working it through the lengths of my hair with patient, careful movements.
"You did so well," he says quietly, his hands never stopping their gentle ministrations. "Took Ezra and Leo so beautifully. Made them so happy."
The words make my chest tight. I want to believe them, but—
"Are you mad at me?" The words slip out, small and vulnerable and pathetic.
Corrian’s hands pause for just a moment, before he turns me around to face him.
