We file into the living room like it's some kind of tribunal.
Ragon sits in his usual chair, solid and unmovable. Drake claims one end of the couch, Marie the other, curled into the corner with her hands wrapped around a throw pillow. Eli perches on the arm of my chair, leaving me the option to sit on the cushion or on the floor.
I choose the floor, knees drawn up, back against the chair so I can feel Eli's leg warm along my shoulder. It makes me feel a little less like I've been called to the principal's office.
Ragon's gaze moves from Marie to me, assessing.
"Now that the household has changed, we need to set expectations clearly. We all know what happens when unspoken rules build resentment."
My throat tightens. I am intimately familiar with that particular flavor of disaster.
Marie nods quickly. "That makes sense."
I drag a nail along the seam of my leggings. "Do we get a handbook? A little orientation packet?"
Ragon steeples his fingers. "Rule one: Shared spaces stay as scent-neutral as possible. Your omega instinct will want to mark things. That's natural. Nests are for that. Hallways, living room, bathroom—aren't."
Marie's cheeks flush. "Of course. I wouldn't— I mean, my last pack didn't even let me—" She cuts herself off, glancing at me. "I understand."
My fingers curl against my knees. "So no rubbing my face on the couch cushions. Got it."
"Verena." Threaded through my name is a gentle warning. "You know what I mean."
"Yeah. I know. I can't help that my shirts smell like me, though."
Marie stiffens and glances down at the shirt she's wearing. "Drake said I could borrow it."
"He probably did. Boundaries aren't a thing in this house apparently."
There's a beat. Her scent twists. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't realize."
Guilt pricks me. I hadn't meant to make her look inconsiderate.
"It's fine. Keep it. It looks better on you, anyway. I'm sure the alphas agree."
Eli's hand drops to my shoulder, squeezing once:enough. Ragon watches us all like he's cataloguing every fracture.
"Borrowing clothing is allowed. With consent. Nest items stay in nests. That's all."
He continues. "Rule two: If there is conflict, it gets addressed quickly. No silent treatment. No simmering resentment. You come to one of us. Wemediate if needed."
"So we tattle."
"So you don't let this house turn into your last one." His voice suddenly sharpens. "Either of you."
That shuts me up.
Marie's eyes shine a little, memory spiking bitter-salty in her scent. She swallows hard and nods.
"Rule three: You do not enter each other's rooms without explicit permission. Nests are private. We treat them that way."
"I won't touch her nest," Marie says. "Ever. I know what that feels like."
Ragon's gaze pins me. "And you?"
"I'm not going to go roll in her blankets. I barely want to roll in my own right now."
His expression softens for a blink. "Nevertheless. Say it."
