"Iamwith you. I make your coffee. I do your laundry. I cook your food. I keep the house running. This isn't withdrawal, Alpha. It's redistribution of resources."
Jasper snorts under his breath. Eli kicks him; Jasper doesn't even pretend to be sorry.
Ragon's eyes narrow. "You're deflecting."
"I'm explaining. But if you'd prefer, I can just say I'm not up to sharing a bed yet and leave it there."
Marie makes a faint scoffing sound. "Still? It's been weeks."
"Marie," Eli warns.
"What? I'm just saying. At some point, you need to move on and stop milking it."
Milking it.
I stare at the faucet handle rather than her face.
Ragon inhales slowly. "Enough. She's not sleeping in with you tonight so it isn't your concern."
Marie glowers. "Didn't ask."
He looks back at me. "You've refused nest nights every night this week."
"Yes. I've done my chores and I haven't caused any trouble. I don’t think I need it anymore. It's working for me."
"It's not working for us. Omegas don't thrive alone. Besides, alphas need omegas too."
"You have Marie. And I'm not exactly thriving with company either. But I hear you. That's why I asked to look at a club, remember? I'm not avoiding people. I'm curating them."
"Ragon," Eli cuts in quietly. "Forcing proximity right now is going to backfire. She's holding it together. Don't yank at the threads."
Drake sets his fork down. "I don't want her in my bed if she doesn't want to be there. Not like this. I'd rather wait."
That hurts and comforts at the same time.
Ragon's gaze flicks between us. His scent pushes up, then he reins it back with visible effort.
"Fine. Tonight, you sleep alone. But this isn't permanent, Verena. You don't get to opt out of being ours."
"I know," I say, because arguing that point right now won't do anything but set off dynamite.
He eyes me, dissatisfied but outvoted. "We'll revisit this after your first class. Speaking of which. Eli's taking you tonight."
I nod.
"Gym at seven. Dance fusion class at seven-thirty. We leave at six-forty-five."
I wipe my hands, hang the towel just so, and walk out before anyone can try to add affection onto the end of logistics.
They're trying harder.
I'm still slipping further away.
By six-forty, I'm standing in the entryway with sneakers laced and a hoodie zipped halfway up. Leggings, sports bra, t-shirt I don't care about sweating through.
Eli appears with his keys and a water bottle. He holds the bottle out without comment. I take it.
"Ready?"
