Page 95 of Puck Your Charity

Epilogue

Ayear changes a lot of things. I stand in the staff breakroom and adjust the plastic clip of my ID badge on the collar of my navy scrubs. The familiar hum of the pediatric oncology ward surrounds me. Monitors beep in a steady rhythm. Cartoons play on the television at the nurses' desk.

I love my job.

Getting fired felt like the end of the world back then, but returning with bonding marks solved every HR problem. The four mark scars on my neck and wrists act as an invisible shield. Unbonded Alphas ignore my scent now. The liability vanished. I get to keep my career and my independence. Plus, I get to go home to four devoted men who worship the ground I walk on.

Even my sister got a fresh start. Thanks to Lawrence and his top-tier lawyers, Chloe finalized her divorce from Rick months ago. She and the kids thrive in a beautiful new house. Rick faded into miserable, unemployed obscurity, right where a predator belongs.

My inner thighs still ache from this morning. Waking up in the center of a giant nest with four professional athletes means dealing with a lot of morning wood. Finn woke me up by sliding his thick cock right between my cheeks, fucking my ass slow and deep while Lawrence ate me out from the front. They left me a shaking, dripping mess before the sun even came up.

Then Malcolm and Victor cornered me in the huge marble shower. Taking two thick knots while pinned against the wet tile takes a ton of stamina. I drank three cups of coffee just to survive my shift today.

I toss my empty paper cup into the trash can and push through the swinging doors into the main hallway.

I head straight for the main playroom.

The sight inside makes a loud laugh bubble up in my throat. My four towering Alphas volunteer on the floor every Tuesday during the off-season. They trade their hockey sticks and vicious aggression for board games and coloring books. The contrast is hilarious and sweet.

Finn folds his huge frame into a tiny red plastic chair. His knees almost touch his chin. He scowls at a colorful cardboard game board. A six-year-old girl in a hospital gown giggles across the small table.

"You landed in the Molasses Swamp." She points a small finger at his plastic game piece. "You lose a turn."

Finn rubs his face, pretending to look devastated. "This game is rigged. I demand a rematch. I refuse to lose to a princess."

The little girl laughs, clutching her deck of cards.

I walk past them and spot Lawrence. He sits on a beanbag chair in the corner. Three teenage girls surround him. He signs posters and flashes his signature playboy smile, making them blush and giggle. He knows the best way to charm a crowd, turning a boring afternoon into the highlight of their month.

Malcolm sits on the rug near the window. A toddler rests against his broad chest. He holds a picture book, reading the story in a low, rumbling voice. His long dark hair falls over his shoulder. The toddler looks mesmerized by the deep sound, relaxed against the intimidating defender.

I scan the room for my center. I find Victor near the art station.

He sits next to a teenager hooked up to an IV pole. They work on a thousand-piece puzzle together. Victor wears a plain black t-shirt and jeans. The arrogant, icy glare from a year ago is gone. He looks grounded and at peace. He sorts the edge pieces with focused determination, treating the puzzle like a playoff game.

He looks up and catches my eye. A warm, genuine smile stretches across his face.

"Hey." He leaves the puzzle and walks over to me.

"You look good in a tiny chair." I grab the front of his shirt and pull him in for a quick kiss.

He kisses me back, his hands resting on my hips. "My knees disagree. But the kid keeps hiding the edge pieces to mess with my strategy. I need to keep an eye on him."

I lean back and look at my pack. "You guys are amazing for doing this."

"We like it here." He traces a thumb over my jawline. "It beats sitting at the house all day. Plus, we get to see you in your element. You run this ward like a boss."

"I do try." I wink at him.

Brenda, the charge nurse, pokes her head into the playroom.

"Olive." Brenda waves a hand. "The press team just got here. We need the guys out there in five minutes."

"We're on our way." I offer her a thumbs up.

Victor turns his head to look at the other three. "Wrap it up, boys. It's time."

Finn groans, standing up from the tiny chair and stretching his long legs. "Thank God. The Molasses Swamp was kicking my ass."