These are special excerpts from Take All of Me that will not make sense if you haven’t read the book! It releases on April 21st, following Maya, a Beta, and the pack she finds while coming back to the Northvale Hawks that her father coached almost 20 years ago…

The first scene slots right before they return to school from Thanksgiving break. It’s three parts long.

Part One – Maya

I wake smashed against Dakota’s chest and I chuckle, because—of course he’d find me, even after his heat, crawling into the guest bedroom to curl around me. “How does it feel to be officially bonded?” I ask curious, my fingers tracing the air near his bites, not touching, not yet.

“Feels a little weird but perfect,” he says. “I can feel everything but it’s comforting, having them in my head.” Dakota tilts my chin up, his thumb gentle, his eyes searching. “Would you ever want this?” he asks. “Or do you know right now it’s not something you’d want?” His question hangs, my mind spiraling—Nox’s bite, his prison, the scar that screams I’ll never be free.

Minutes pass, my thoughts a tangle, and then I find my voice. “I thought I wouldn’t want it,” I say. “I thought there’s a lot I wouldn’t want after Nox, but I watched them with you, and it was so beautiful, and you look so happy.”

Dakota’s eyes soften, his hand cupping my face, grounding me. “That’s how it’s supposed to be. It isn’t supposed to hurt. It isn’t supposed to feel like a prison.”

“I do want it,” I say, my voice trembling but sure, tears falling down my cheeks. “I think I’ve just been so scared it’d end up the same, but it’s not the same at all, and I don’t even know why I keep comparing.”

Dakota smiles, his thumb brushing my tears. “Because he tried to ruin you. He didn’t, but he tried, and now you’re realizing there are other beautiful things in the world.” His words are a balm as I lean up to kiss him.

The kisses deepen, his hands in my hair, my fingers tracing his chest. I pull back, breathless, my resolve solidifying. “I’m gonna tell them.”

Dakota’s grin widens, his eyes sparkling. “There’s no rush. They’ll wait as long as you need.”

“No, there isn’t a rush,” I say, “but waiting doesn’t do anything for me. Using my scar as an excuse isn’t true anymore. I don’t have any reason keeping me except myself.”

He nods, his hand squeezing mine. “Well, I’d love to have you,” he says, “and I know Roman and Holt would be honored.” His face twists a little bit and I catch on to his worry.

“I’m not sure how it happened but I can feel Brogan. He’s not left out. He’s… really happy right now.” I frown, a spark of desire running through that bond and glance up at Dakota for answers.

He chuckles, laughing at my confusion. “I’m sure he’s really happy because of you but he’s also currently kissing Roman.”

My eyes widen as I scramble from the bed, Dakota chuckling as I go to see if I can catch the cutest couple in the entire world tangled around each other.

Part Two – Maya

I’m standing in the cabin’s living room, my hands tangled in my curls, tugging in frustration as Dakota, Roman, and Holt bicker like kids over Thanksgiving groceries. Dakota’s heat ended spectacularly yesterday with a smorgasbord of birria tacos, not enough guacamole for my nachos, and cheese flan. I’m still dreaming about the creamy goodness now or at least trying to but these men don’t seem to even know how to cook.

Dakota’s pointing at some kind of zesty corn in a magazine, insisting that it’s fine, while Roman argues for fresh, and Holt’s muttering about whether we need a frozen turkey or if it’s too late. Despite the bickering, I’m grinning because this is my new family and I’m living for it.

It’s barely ten am and I’m still only dressed in Brogan’s shirt because anything more would chafe at sensitive skin.

Brogan’s behind me, his arms draped around my shoulders, lips teasing my ear. A flicker of desire blooms in my chest, but it’s more—I feel him, not just his scent, his touch, but him, his warmth, his love, like a thread connecting us. I felt it before, mildly when Dakota was bonded and again in bed but it’s so much stronger now. My breath catches and I twist, meeting his eyes, a grin tugging his lips. “I was wondering when you were gonna feel it like I do. Feels nice, doesn’t it?”

“I felt it before but I don’t really understand it.”

“I don’t either, love but I really fucking love feeling you.” He runs his nose along my cheek before twisting my chin just enough to slot his lips over mine.

“I like feeling you too.”

The kiss lingers but so does the bickering and if I don’t do something, Thanksgiving is going to be ruined. A little growl of frustration slips from my lips as I turn face the other three. “First of all, we can’t just go buy a turkey. How do you guys not know this? Second, we’re not getting pumpkin pie. It’s disgusting.” Silence falls between them, each of them waiting for my next words. “I’m gonna put in an order, and then we can all make stuff, okay?”

They murmur agreement, however, Brogan’s hand finds my waist, the Beta having a different idea. “Actually, I wouldn’t mind going shopping, get us out of the house.” I open my mouth to protest  but he cuts me off. “I love you, Maya, I do, but god, I think I might bust a nut if we don’t open the fucking windows, and I’m not even sure I have any more cum to give.”

He’s not wrong. The cabin’s a haze of pheromones, slick, cum, and we need air if any of us are going to function. But then his words hit and I realize what he said. “You said you love me.”

“Yeah, I do.” He stares at me for a few seconds before dragging me into another kiss.

“Fuck, I wanted to say it first,” Roman whines, Holt and Dakota’s voices overlapping as well: “Me too,” “Dammit, Brogan”.

I pull back, swatting Brogan’s chest. “I need a shower and none of you are allowed to come in here. Still sore but I’ll be fine by dinner.” The grunts that follow only give me confidence as I head down the hallway, only clad in one of Brogan’s shirts that is barely covering my ass.

***

Brogan is an asshole and I’m going to make sure he knows it later as we return to the house, several bags of items that we definitely don’t need in hand. The grocery store was a madhouse and I had to tell Roman one too many goddamn times to put the canned beans away when there were fresh ones an aisle over. Dakota kept tossing in random items, most of them sweets and it took me entirely too long to realize that it was some kind of post heat madness and not a random sweet tooth he had picked up over the years.

And then Holt had to pick a mini fight, trying to ask why canned corn was okay but not canned green beans. That’s when I found out that while they’ve had Thanksgiving before—Dakota and Roman, neither one of them have cooked. And my beautiful Alpha, Holt looked just as lost. Brogan was mildly helpful until we were look for Turkey breast and I may have happened to say that the cajun infused one was juicier.

That then somehow devolved into a dick joke in which I told him I was sore and to go fuck Dakota of Brogan. Slip of the tongue, I guess but Brogan turned beat red and that bond between us hummed with pure desire which meant that could happen in the future.

The moment grew a little tense, both of them eye fucking each other over my head until I snatched the package of turkey and threw it in the cart, telling them I called front row seat to anything that ever happened. Brogan said I’d have a lovely view sitting on his face.

It’s all good. I’m just glad we’re home, ready to start cooking and lounge about while I figure out how to tell my two new Alphas that I want their bond. And not in a, when I’m ready sort of way but in a, do it now, there’s no point in waiting sort of way.

A few hours later, the kitchen is a disaster and I already called not it when it came to cleaning up because I used three pots and I’m pretty sure the guys used every other pot in existence. That’s neither nor there, all of us crowded around the coffee table, plates scrapped and leftover bits of cranberry sauce idling by my sweet potatoes with the little marshmallows in it. Dakota insisted on it and it did bring a little bit of home back to me so I obliged. Dinner could have been a lot worse than the slightly overdone turkey and gooey triumph that the mac n cheese turned out to be, the fresh green beans a crisp miracle but it was our dinner.

However, now, the festive part of Thanksgiving has calmed down, Dakota curled up on the couch as Holt nurses the bite on his shoulder, his fingers tracing the raw mark. Roman’s scrolling through his phone, a soft smile curving his lips, and I’m curled in his lap, my feet in Brogan’s, his hands massaging them.

“What’s got you smiling?” I ask, leaning into Roman, curious on where his mind’s gone.

“My brother has been sending pictures of my nephews.” He turns the phone, showing me two grinning kids, all curls and mischief, and adds, “Maybe next year, if someone’s not in heat, we’ll go see him and his pack. Need to see my nephews anyway.”

I squint at the photo, frowning at one of the girls in the photo. I swipe left and see a different woman, both of whom I recognize. “Your brother’s mated to Violet and Sofie?” I

Roman’s brows lift, his grin widening. “You know them?”

“They were my neighbors for a bit,” I muse, running my finger over the last picture. “God, Violet’s one of my role models. She was so in love with her Omega, Sofie, but did everything to make sure she was comfortable.” My voice softens, awe creeping in, because Violet’s strength, her care, shaped me, showed me love could be safe, even before I believed it.

“Seriously?” Roman laughs, shaking his head. “Well, damn, small world.” He tightens his arms around me, kissing the side of my head.

“I’d love to see them again. I saw them four years ago, before I came back to school. They were pregnant together, and they looked so damn happy.”

Roman leans down, kissing me softly, tasting of gravy and spices. “You look pretty damn happy yourself,” he murmurs and he’s right. There’s just one more thing I need to make it perfect.

I sit up, chewing on my bottom lip, my eyes finding Dakota’s. He throws me a soft nod, giving me the strength to say what I need. “I am very happy and I never thought I’d have all this. I don’t want to keep thinking the other shoe’s gonna drop. I want… I want a forever.” My voice trembles as I push through, making sure that these men understand I’m not going anywhere. “And maybe it’s too soon, but I think I’m ready. No, I am ready.”

The room goes silent, all attention suddenly on me. Holt stops nursing Dakota’s bite, resting his chin over Dakota’s shoulder. “Gorgeous, what’re you saying?”

“I want to be bonded. I kept telling myself it wouldn’t happen because of Nox, but I was comparing you to him. You’re not him, you’re nothing like him, and you’ve shown that from day one. You’ve been here, protecting me, loving me. And I want that.” My eyes flick to Brogan, feeling him through our own bond. “Feeling Brogan, seeing Dakota…”

Roman’s purr deepens, his hand tightening on my hip. “You can feel Brogan? You’re like peas in a pod. Violet and Sofie can feel each other.” He glances up, addressing the others. “They’re a Beta-Omega bonded pair which isn’t all that common but a Beta-Beta pair? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of that one.”

That answers a lot of my questions and it just makes Brogan all that more special to me. “It’s there and it’s beautiful but I want all of it. I want to be a little selfish if you’ll have me.” I want them, their bites, their bond, a family, a home, and I’m done letting Nox’s shadow hold me back.

Holt’s eyes soften, his hand reaching for mine. “You want our bite, Maya?”

“I do, so goddamn much, just… not on my shoulder?”

Roman purrs louder, his lips brushing my ear. “I can absolutely do that, princess.”

I have a bad feeling that I know exactly where Roman is going to put it and if he’s anything like his brother based on where Violet’s bite is, I’m going to kill him.

Part Three – Holt

Maya’s beneath me, making the sweetest sounds, soft moans and gasps as I make love to her, my cock sliding slow and deep inside of her as my hands frame her hips. She’s here, fully in the moment, her vanilla scent spiking each time I hit the right spot, her eyes locked on mine, but I need to be sure, need to know she’s choosing this, not just giving because she feels she has to. Roman’s on her other side, his lips brushing just behind her ear, his cock rubbing against her thighs, claiming her in his own way.

I pause, my thrusts slowing, my voice rough with need. “I’m only gonna ask one more time if you want this because I want to make sure.”

“I want this,” she whispers, “I want all of you.” She leans up to press a kiss to my lips, savoring my taste before pulling back. Dakota constructed some kind of makeshift nest in the living room after all the food was cleared away and after we told him that his nest in the bedroom was just a little too crunchy. He pouted for about five seconds and then piled up unused pillows and blankets here before telling us that we were allowed to continue.

He’s perched up on the couch beside Brogan but I’m not worried about either one of them. This moment is for Maya. “Where do you want our bites, gorgeous?”

“Anywhere but my neck and shoulder.”

She’s no longer shy of letting us touch the jagged scar but I also know she doesn’t want us to add it there, a stark reminder of her time with Nox. And I’ll respect that because I already know where I want my bite. “Alright, but I’m not giving you my knot. You had too much during Dakota’s heat, and I don’t wanna hurt you.”

“I’m good with that,” she giggles against my lips before I’m lost in her again, tugging and teasing that bottom lip she’s always chewing on. I want her to think of me every time she gets a little nervous, every time she’s shy or embarrassed and it’s why my teeth sink into that little bit of flesh, claiming her lip as mine.

Her back arches as a moan spills from her, ‘you bastard’ coming out at as a garbled grumble when Romah catches her ear. She melts between us as I pick up my pace again, fucking into her deeper than before, her pussy clenching around me.

Her nails dig into my shoulders as Roman resumes his thrusting as well, Maya letting out a small cry as she comes, Roman spilling his release between her thighs and covering mine seconds later. One last thrust and I’m filling her up, the bond sealing between us as I feel her, deeper than I expected, tying us, heart to heart. Soft moans filter from her lips as I tend the new bite and I’m wondering why I waited so long to be part of a pack, to bring them in, to claim them?

A small tendril of adoration brushes me, and I glance back, finding Brogan intense stare focused on Maya. “I can feel Brogan.”

Maya’s eyes flutter, falling under the haze of our pheromones. “I feel so… warm? I don’t know. I didn’t think it would feel like this.” She wriggles between us, a soft sigh coming from her as she twists to look back at Roman. “But my ear? You’re just like your brother,” she teases. She turns back to me, catching the confusion on my face. “His brother bit Violet on the ear too. I saw it in the pictures. They’re both menaces. But I love them.”

Roman lets out a little playful growl, nipping her ear. “You better not love Gray, just me, princess.”

“Slip of the tongue,” she jokes, giggling when Roman starts tickling her and I have to put a stop to it because she’s squeezing my cock and I’m about go a whole other round if they keep doing that.

***

I should have known volunteering to clean up the kitchen was going to be a shit show. However, watching Roman lovingly hold Maya against him as he nurses his new bite, Dakota’s head in her lap, it’s a scene I’d volunteer to watch over and over again.

Brogan hands me one of the last plates to wash, suds nearly up to my elbows as I dunk the porcelain into hot water. “Never would’ve pegged you with Roman.” Catching them making out on the couch was the last thing I thought I’d see but it was also sweet, made awkward by Maya giggling around the corner as if she just caught her two boyfriends.

Brogan manages a shrug, handing me another plate. “Same. Not sure how far it goes. We’ve made jokes the past few days, but it’s… terrifying.” He pauses, his gaze trailing over to Roman and then back to the counter as he grabs a dish rag, “And now I can kinda feel all of you, and his feelings are way bigger than I expected.”

Roman’s always had big feelings but the bond definitely makes it more potent. Things are changing between us too because I’m not sure Roman will carry my bite anymore. It isn’t something we’ve discussed since his designation changed but he’s still mine. And I can still feel him. For now, that’s enough. “Yeah, it’s gonna be interesting getting back and we’ve got a game first week back.”

Brogan’s brows lift. “You signed us up for the winter tournament again?”

“Wanted to get you guys good practice before playoffs. It won’t count against anything but they’ll be new teams and gives us something to work with. How’s your head?”

Brogan laughs, scrubbing one stubborn grease stain off the surface. I have no idea what dish that even came from. “Bit late to ask, isn’t it?”

“Maybe, but I’m still asking.”

“It’s fine. Some Tylenol helped. My arm’s still a bit bruised and I’ll make sure to work on my pivot so I can stop easier and let them crash into the boards.”

I put up the last of the food, sealing leftovers, and turn, leaning against the counter, my eyes drifting to the living room again. “I’m not sure why I ever thought not having this was a good thing. It feels like home.”

“Yeah, it does.” He tosses the dish rag into the sink and then leans back against the counter, his shoulders falling a bit. “Any word on Nox?”

I shake my head. “Nothing new. He’s being charged with fraud and assault. No court date, no word if he’s out and roaming. I need to get Maya on that protective order. I brought it up briefly but it kind of slipped through the cracks but I don’t want her being terrified every time she steps off the campus.”

Brogan immediately agrees and I know I’m going to regret it. “Great, it’s settled. You mention the protective order, and I’ll finish the kitchen.”

“That’s an awful deal because there’s not even much left to do!” I playfully jab at his good arm before heading over to the living room. I’m not going to say a damn thing until later but that doesn’t mean I can’t steal my Beta into my arms for a bit.

~

Second Epilogue – Set at the end of the book

Maya

There’s one Christmas present I’ve been preparing for with the help of my mates aside from Holt, hoping and praying that it plays out the way it’s supposed to. We’ve just gotten our first snowfall, Violet and Sofie giggling when I told them the plan. They told their Alphas to keep Holt occupied while we set up but now that the plan’s in motion, my heart’s in my throat because I don’t know if he’s going to be happy about this or not.

However, I’ve seen the same flicker in his eyes that Roman and Dakota have described so I’m just waiting for the moment that he figures this all out.

I’m standing at the edge of the little ice rink in Ansdale, the one I would sometimes skate across, imagining a hockey stick in my hand. It was never something I really wanted to do, just the fantasy of the game roaring in my ears, my words scrambling across the rink as the players followed my plays. And now I’ve got that. But there’s one thing more that I want.

“What is going on here?” Holt asks as he steps up to the glass. The twins are on either side of him like goddamn bodyguards, Violet and Sofie having similar tastes in men to me. All dark, bronze skin and devilish smiles staring back at me. Sofie’s sitting just beside Violet, the Omega cradling her stomach and I’m not sure how they missed that. I’m over by the goal, Roman having to search for skates small enough to fit my feet.

Holt is still confused, looking toward the other goal where Roman and Dakota are leaning against the edge. And that’s when Brogan steps up behind him, holding a pair of skates for our Alpha. There’s a twinge of fear in his eyes before it disappears, tears gathering there and then what looks like pure, unadulterated happiness. “I haven’t been on the ice since the accident,” Holt mentions, his voice carrying a bit.

We skate toward the glass, Roman placing his hands against the wall. “I know, Holt, but this moment’s just for us. I don’t care how messy it is, if you stumble, we’re all right here. I keep seeing you missing it. It’s part of you that never left. Just for a bit, Alpha. Besides, your Beta put a lot of thought into this.”

“Way to throw me under the bus, you asshole,” I throw back at him, wondering how I’m going to punish him later.

Holt’s gaze falls to the skates again as he takes them and slowly laces them up before taking his first step onto the ice. It’s like a switch flips—his face lights up, his body remembering the movements like he never left. I thought I had seen Holt happy before but this is pure joy running through the bond, connecting him to a piece of his past that he didn’t want to leave behind. “I didn’t know how much I fucking missed it.”

I skate up to him, Holt catching my hands. “We haven’t really done the cool pack stuff. One or two dates, ‘cause we haven’t had time, but I thought a fun little game before the semester gets crazy again?”

Holt shakes his head, his smile shaky, his voice soft. “Gorgeous, I can’t…” he starts, but Roman cuts him off.

“We’ll take it easy on you, old man,” Roman teases, “besides, Maya will be on our team.” He wiggles his brows, grinning over at me but I take offense.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I growl out, Dakota sliding behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist, his lips brushing my ear. Even though it’s Roman’s bite, it still sends a shiver of need down my spine

“I won’t let their mean words hurt you.”

Everyone bursts out in laughter, Holt pulling me into his chest as he kisses me, taking his time, his tongue curling around mine until I’m breathless and chasing for me. “There’ve been a lot of special moments in my life but this is definitely a highlight.”

“Merry Christmas, Alpha,” I purr against his lips.

Of course, Brogan has to ruin the goddamn moment. “Alright, helmets and pads, then I’m gonna whoop your asses,” he says, and Roman laughs, shaking his head, his purr rumbling.

“Just for that,” Roman yells out, “Maya’s on your team!”

“Why do I feel like the girl no one wants?” I hold onto Holt a little tighter, happy that we’re all taking steps forward to a future we can build together. “Holt and Dakota are the only ones getting laid tonight,” I muse, grinning when I hear Violet shouting from behind the glass, ‘see! I’m not the only Beta that shuts out mates from the nest!’

That sends me into a fit of giggles as I skate away from Holt, wobbling on my feet to get to Dakota. He hands me a helmet, lovingly wrapping me in pads that make it impossible to stand but it’ll help me bruise less when I fall on my ass. “Ready coach?” Dakota asks, lightly patting my helmet.

“Fuck no. But maybe our old man can pull out some skills to help us win?”

Holt throws me a playful growl. “Maybe I should say you’re not getting laid either, gorgeous.”

He recognizes his mistake as the words leave his mouth as I shrug. “So me and Dakota in the nest and you three in the doghouse. Sounds good to me!”

I don’t give him a chance to fix his words as I skate toward the middle of the rink, laughing my head off. Four years ago, I thought Nox had ruined any chance of a happy ending. Now, mine’s only just beginning.