“Now, you listen to me,” he growls. “I don’t care about the creed or the damned Omega Compound. We can move away if we need to, somewhere they’ll never find us. The only thing we care about is you.”
He leans in, nuzzling my cheek and I choke back a hiccup, hope filling me.
“The only thing this pack needs is you, princess,” he whispers in my ear. “Everything else is just background noise.”
I bury my face in my hands as the sob slips out. His words settle my anxiety in a way that makes me realize I’ve been hiding how much this has bothered me. I’ve flipped this pack’s lives upside down and they’re risking everything, just so I can have a normal life. If the government found out about our relationship, I’d be taken away and they would be imprisoned, or worse, for breaking the creed.
Rogue releases me to Devlin and he sits down with me in his lap, holding me tightly and running his hand up and down my back. Gabe throws himself down next to me, hesitantly reaching out his hand and beaming at me when I grab it, holding it tightly. Ace and Rogue look like they want in, too, but this couch really isn’t big enough for all five of us.
Ezra watches us with interest. “Harper, I think that the bond may be affecting your hormone levels.”
Realization hits me and I nod. “I’ve been more emotional lately, quicker to react to things badly.” My thoughts briefly touch on the freezer and I shudder, Devlin tightening his grip on me.
“The bond would certainly explain it.” Ezra thinks for a second. “During the mating process, omegas need to feel safe, and secure. This applies both physically and emotionally. Harper, do you have a nest?”
My mind short-circuits. “No,” I breathe softly as Devlin tenses beneath me.
I think back to my conversation with Ace and Gabe. I suddenly want a nest, a proper nest, more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.
“I’ve been feeling more sensitive towards bright lights and large spaces. And I’ve been sort of… collecting… blankets. And bedding. And, um, clothes?”
All four men turn towards me.
“Is that where my shirts have been disappearing to?” Rogue asks.
“And my jumpers?” Gabe quirks a brow at me.
Ace hums. “I’m missing quite a few pairs of boxers…”
My cheeks flame and I squeal, “that wasn’t me!”
Ace grins and I notice Gabe blushing a furious shade of scarlet next to me. Hmm… interesting. Reminding myself to have a little chat with him later, I decide that this conversation has gotten way out of hand.
“So, I could maybe have a real nest?” I ask hopefully.Say yes. Please say yes.Rogue’s head turns towards me.
“Sweetheart, you can have anything you want,” he says, chiding me. “Why didn’t you tell us you wanted a nest?”
I shrug, avoiding his eyes. Truthfully, I didn’t even think about it. Nests are so frowned upon for omegas, I genuinely didn’t think it was an option.
Legally, I’m not even allowed to own a blanket. I mean, Jeez. What does the government think we’re gonna do, take over the world, one soft furnishing at a time?
Rogue frowns at me, that delicious crease telling me I’m in for a world of trouble later. Maybe we’ll repeat the spanking. I close my legs quickly before any of them can catch my scent.
“So, nesting,” Gabe nods, rubbing my hand. “We can do that. What else?”
“Gifts,” Ezra says firmly, and my ears prick up. What’s this now?
“Gifts?” Devlin says, straightening and pulling me with him. He sounds slightly befuddled.
“It means that omegas need to feel cherished. Adored. Courting gifts are an important part of the process.” I squeak a little at this, a warm feeling sending tingles down my arms. I’mreallyliking the sound of this.
Rogue frowns and turns to me. “We really haven’t been good alphas to you, have we, love?” I immediately protest. I don’t think that. I don’t want them to think that. My whole life has changed since I came here. This pack is absolutely everything to me.
“I don’t need fancy presents and nests to feel wanted, Rogue.” I mean it, but a small lump appears in my throat, my body protesting. I bite my lip, torn. Ezra leans forward, a knowing smile on his face as he picks up on my discomfort.
“I understand that you mean that, Harper, but there are certain things that your physiology demands. As an omega, youneedyour alphas to show that they can provide for you. It builds a feeling of safety, security. They’ll have similar feelings too. This is just part of the process, but it certainly doesn’t replace the relationships you’ve built.”
Okay. I can work with that.
