We watch the film in silence for a few minutes. My attention keeps slipping to the bundle of blankets I pushed off me and onto the floor when I woke up. Something tugs me towards them, and I scramble off Ace and onto the floor. Gathering up the materials, I sit back down and get to work arranging them all in the right way, layering one on top of the other until I’m cocooned. The guys both watch me instead of the movie, amusement in their eyes as I fuss.
“You like blankets, then?” Gabe asks the question teasingly, and it pulls me from my work. Blankets.Nesting instincts. There’s a pull in my chest at the thought. The interrogation unit would really lose their shit if they could see me now. I go to push the blankets away, but Gabe stops me, his hand reaching out to grasp mine.
“It’s okay,” he whispers. “We don’t mind.”
I slide my eyes across to Ace and he just smiles at me encouragingly. Slowly, I reach back out, my fingers grasping a fluffy cream comforter.
“Instincts,” I say quietly.
I’ve never made a nest before, except for my tiny nest last night, and it doesn’t really count. The OC was always very careful never to give us anything that could ever be called comfortable. Our bedding was sparse if any; to wash, we were only permitted a thin, scratchy towel and it was taken off us immediately when we were done. We weren’t even given proper clothes. Having these blankets within reach is… irresistible.
It might not be a big deal to them, but to me…
Sadness fills me, and I fiddle with the top blanket, stroking my hand over its soft texture. How different would my life have been if I’d been matched with a pack earlier? Could I have had this all along, instead of pain and abuse with my instructors and Jason?
Even as the question runs through my mind, I know the answer. This pack is different. Any other alpha pack would have me on my knees, eyes to the ground, and following every instruction laid out by the compound. I shiver at the thought and Gabe runs a soothing hand down my arm. Shaking the bad thoughts off, I offer him a small smile. “Sorry. Got lost in my thoughts for a minute.”
“Understandable.” Gabe smiles back at me before he bounces off the couch, earning a short growl from Ace as I’m dislodged. “I just realized I left the snacks in the kitchen. We didn’t want to eat them without you.”
He disappears for a second and returns, balancing two bowls precariously in his arms. I jump up to help, and he laughs as he hands me one. “Thanks. That could’ve gone badly wrong.” He waggles his eyebrows at me and I laugh at the fake tortured expression on his face.
“What is this?” I look down into the bowl and see– “Buttered popcorn?” My mouth floods at the memory. I love buttered popcorn, and– “M&Ms!” I clap my hand over my mouth, embarrassed at my outburst. But, I mean, it’s chocolate.Chocolate.
I don’t even realize I’m purring until Gabe’s scent hits my nose. As I look up, his face is leaning in and he rubs his cheek against mine. I wrinkle my nose at the blatant scent marking and he shrugs, unrepentant. “Gotta get in wherever I can, love.”
The three of us spend a blissful afternoon huddled together on the sofa, watching old films about a young wizard. I’m glued to the screen as I savor the taste of the food in front of me. Gabe and Ace are on either side of me, both of their legs pressing against mine. Their scents rise and fall with every sound I make, and their warmth sinks into me. As the third film finishes, I sigh in absolute bliss. “This is the best day ever.”
Ace smiles at me, but there’s a hint of sadness in it. “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it, little omega.” He bops my nose again and I laugh, batting him away. Gabe stretches, muttering about food as Rogue’s voice comes through the open door.
Ace groans and pulls himself up. “Better see what the boss man wants.”
ChapterTwenty-Two
Rogue
Ace steals Harper away and the pack disperses. Dev points towards the gym.
“I’m heading down for a workout. Fancy it?”
I was in the gym at five a.m. this morning, working thoughts of Harper out of me until I was a sweating mess.
“Sure.” Maybe it’ll actually work this time.
We set up in silence, Dev heading over to the weight bench while I move over to the treadmill. Music blasts through the room, Dev cranking the volume up just the way he likes it.
I focus on the screen in front of me as my feet pound against the machine. Sweat pours off my face and I crank it up further, pushing the machine into an uphill incline. My legs burn as I push through the barrier. When the pace slows, I look around, confused. Dev stands next to the treadmill with his eyebrows raised. He waves the plug at me.
Throwing me a towel, he waits silently as I wipe over my face and neck. My heart is pounding, pulse thundering. Glancing back at the screen, I’m startled to see I’ve run the equivalent of a half marathon.
“Did it help?” Dev queries. He can see straight through me. He’s always been able to, ever since we were kids scrapping in the playground.
I shake my head and head over to the bench, sinking down with a groan to stretch out my exhausted muscles. Dev takes a seat next to me, dropping his head back against the wall with a soft thud.
“I just… I’m not sure what’s happening here,” I say, staring down at my legs with a frown.
Everything’s moved so fast. It was only two nights ago that we were sitting around the table, the possibility of a female joining the pack a tentative future option. But here we are, less than forty-eight hours later with an omega of our own, working out ways to keep her safe from the reach of the omega compound.
My heart thuds as I think of Harper. The run didn’t work. I just want more. More time, more conversation. MoreHarper.
