“Oh, shut up and get in here,” I snapped, yanking them into the pile.
“You smell different,”Jade commented as I returned to the bedroom. “Like... wet dog.”
Huffing, I dropped my collected items on the king bed. “Blame Muzo.”
Jade put two and two together. “Group hug?” he asked, amused.
“Don’t remind me. Put that blanket over there, will you?”
Jade obeyed my every fussy order for the next hour. I had no problem bossing him around when it came to nesting, since I’d be the one pushing an egg out of my ass. I wasn’t looking forward to that part. But it would be worth it in the end.
Finally, I was somewhat satisfied with the arrangement of blankets and pillows. To test it out, I shifted to cat form and leapt onto the bed. I circled until the duvet beneath my paws conformed to my shape, then settled down with a sigh.
“How is it?” Jade asked.
My whiskers twitched in frustration. “It’s missing something.”
I worried my constant nitpicking would annoy Jade, but he was calm and patient as ever. “There’s still time until you lay. Perhaps you’ll find that missing item before then.” He sat next to me and stroked my fur. “If there’s anything you want in particular, tell me. I’ll do everything in my power to make this experience perfect for you.”
I purred and rubbed my head against his leg. “Thank you. Sorry about me.”
Jade kissed my furry head. “Never be sorry, kitten. I love everything about you.”
“Even the nasty parts?”
He smiled. “Especially those.”
Three and a half weeks later,a constricting pain seized my abdomen.
I yowled under my breath and curled up tighter in my nest. I’d spent most of the last few days in cat form. The other omegas told me it was normal, instinctual, to remain that way until the egg was laid.
My feathery white tail pressed against my nose, which was cold from discomfort. Although I’d spent hours arranging and re-arranging them, the various blankets, pillows and furs surrounding me felt inadequate. No matter how hard I’d tried, I couldn’t get the damned nest to my liking. In my rage, I slapped an ugly pillow off the bed.
As the wave of agony passed, I got up and circled for what felt like the millionth time. I punched the blanket with my front paws, as if that would finally solve the problem. When I lay back down, scowling, I realized it did not.
Jade returned to the bedroom with a tray of fresh tea, biscuits and a soothing smile. He’d fetched the treats when I told him about my sudden pain. Since I wasn’t dilated yet, he assured me the best option was to keep me comfortable until labor truly began.
“Anything?” Jade asked, sitting on a chair he’d pulled beside the bed. I didn’t like him sitting on it, since it further messed up my already imperfect nest.
“No,” I grouched. “I want tea. And like twenty biscuits.”
Jade offered me a fancy bowl instead of a cup, since it was easier to lap up my current body. “I cooled it down so you can drink it right away,” he explained. “I made it with fresh raspberry leaves to help the pain.”
A rush of fondness for my mate made me sigh. “You always think of everything.”
I sniffed the tea, twitching my whiskers, then lapped it with my tongue. Just as Jade promised, it was the perfect temperature. The delicate sweetness and light raspberry flavor soothed my soul.
“Thanks,” I murmured. “I’m glad one of us is composed right now. My mood swings are horrible. I keep flipping between wanting to cry or claw someone’s eyes out.”
Jade ran his hand down my back, smoothing my fur. “That’s normal. Your hormones will even out soon.”
“Have you read every book about pregnancy in your library yet?” I asked.
A knowing smile crept onto his face. “Twice. Some three times.” He scratched under my chin. “Don’t worry. Everything you’re experiencing is normal.”
I closed my eyes and purred. It wasn’t the first time I was grateful for my alpha’s wisdom. Thanks to his natural curiosity, he’d gleaned so much knowledge from his ever-expanding hoard. No doubt he’d added a plethora of pregnancy books to it lately.
“Biscuit?” he offered.
