“We probably should have cleaned up a bit before we left,” Hale mutters while plumping a cushion.
“No,” I quickly respond. “I like it.”
Growing up, all of the places I stayed looked like they belonged in interior design magazines. I was always afraid to really get comfortable. The furniture often resembled strangely shaped pieces of art and often gave me a back ache, not to mention how much trouble I’d get in if a housekeeper caught me eating while sitting down. Living in that environment was exhausting, constantly feeling on edge.
Looking around the Valen Pack’s home, I notice the little personal touches they’ve added—the selection of cacti in a mini vivarium by the window, newspaper clippings strewn over the table from whatever Calder must have been researching, a stack of puzzle books for Riven resting on the arm of the sofa, and Hale’s sweater thrown over the side of a chair. Best of all, it smells of them.
Calder leads me through to the kitchen where there’s a giant island, walnut cabinets, and white marble countertops.
“We stocked up, but we can go to the store tomorrow, if there’s anything else you need.” Hale opens a cabinet to reveal shelves stuffed with food.
Judging by the look of it, there’s more than enough food to get us through a few days here.
Leaving the kitchen, I follow them back through the living area to the staircase with steps that look like they’re floating. On the landing of the next level, there’s a telescope positioned in front of a window.
“This is one of the best views at night.” Riven points straight over the treetops. “There’s no light pollution out here, so we can see everything.”
As we make our way down the hall, Calder shows me each of the guys’ rooms. When we come to a final door at the end, he pauses, a hand hovering over the door handle.
“We kept this room.” His eyes pingpong around the hallway. “Just in case.”
He pushes it open to show me inside but doesn’t step in himself.
“You can sleep here while you stay with us, if you’d like?” Hale offers from behind me.
Hale continues talking, but I don’t hear what he’s saying, too busy surveying the gorgeous nest. Every fiber of my being wants to fling myself across the room and dive onto the huge bed in the middle of the room, covered in the most comfy-looking blankets. The space is very elegant. It’s painted in a soft cream, and drapes hang from the ceiling, like rippling waves of fabric, creating a calming vibe. There are very few changes I’d make if this were my room. It’s the perfect balance of minimal meets cozy. Some omegas like their nests to be completely stuffed full of soft objects, but I prefer quality over quantity. I’d take one amazing blanket to ten subpar ones. I don’t like a nest to feel too cluttered, which makes this one pretty much perfect. So why does it feel like a bowling ball has dropped to the pit of my stomach?
“I-I c-can’t.” My words get caught in my throat as I step backward, bashing into Calder and causing him to stumble. “I can’t sleep in there.”
As perfect as this one is, an omega’s nest is a deeply personal space. We don’t even know what’s going to happen over the next few days. What if they think they’ve made a mistake by bringing me here? And worse still, what if they find another omega in thefuture? She’d hate knowing that I’d slept in there. I push aside the flash of jealousy that ripples through me at that thought.
Riven’s face falls. “Don’t you like it?”
“It’s not that,” I murmur. “It just wouldn’t be appropriate. I’ll be fine sleeping on the sofa.”
“Appropriate?” Calder chuckles. “You’re not sleeping on the sofa when we have a perfectly good bed, Kady. It’s only a room.”
A nest is more than a room. A nest is an omega's safe haven. It’s a source of comfort. It’s home. It’s the place where an omega can fully be themselves.
I look at him, my stare penetrating into him. “Is it?”
“Look, we always kept this room in case we found an omega.” Hale pushes past Calder. “But he’s right. It’s just a room, and honestly, it’d be nice for someone to make use of it instead of it just sitting empty. There’s no pressure, though.”
I cast a glance back at the nest then shut the door. Despite how lovely the nest is, my decision has been made. “The sofa will be fine.”
“You could take my room?” Riven offers. “I’ll be camping out on the landing with the telescope anyway.”
“Are you sure?” I tilt my head, watching him for signs that he’s uncertain. “The sofa is fine.”
“Of course, and I have the cleanest bathroom.” He nods enthusiastically. “I’ll show you, if you’d like?”
My heart sinks as we get farther from the house nest. I made the best decision, right? Sleeping in their nest would feel like I was fully accepting that I’m one of them. Their scent match.
“It’s a little smaller than the other bedrooms.” Riven steps aside to let me pass him when we reach his room. There are large posters of constellations covering the walls, and an L-shaped desk with one side covered in tiny metallic parts and tools, the other facing a wall with three mounted computer screens. “Hopefully, you’ll be comfortable here.”
“I’m sure I will be,” I tell Riven as Calder places my bag down. “But as I said, the sofa really will be more than fine if you change your mind.”
“As long as you’re here, consider this room yours.” Riven’s lips kick up, giving me a peek of his dimples. “I won’t ever come in without knocking.” He motions to an adjoining door. “And the bathroom is through there.”
