Shit.
Halley leans into my touch, swaying dreamily as she tilts her head back and smiles at me, completely trusting.
I press my forehead to the back of her head, just for a second, so I can get a tighter grip on my restraint.
“It’s alright, baby girl. I’ve got you,” I breathe.
And I do…even if I’m shaking from the strain of it.
I help Halley towel dry, doing my best not to focus on her chest, ass, or between her legs. I’m moderately successful.
By the time she’s dressed in my clothes, I’m painfully aware just how bad of an idea that shower was. I can’t stop thinking about how eager she’d be to please when she’s like this. So docile and loving.
Fuck. Fuck.Fuck.
If I told her to bend over and spread her cheeks for me, she would. Happily. With a sweet, wanting smile.
I bite the inside of my cheekhard.
"Do you want to get in your nest now?" I ask.
Halley nods, eyes wide and glistening with that soft focus she gets when her Omega instincts are running the show. She tucks herself under my arm, cheek pressed to my bare ribs, her breath warm against my side.
“Yes please,” she whispers.
The nest is still a chaotic heap of blankets and bedding from earlier, a colorful disaster zone sprawled across the mattresses. Halley doesn’t seem to mind. In fact, she lights up, crawling into the middle of it like it’s a treasure trove. She begins to sort through the mess with single-minded purpose as she folds, pats, rearranges with delicate care, following an invisible blueprint only she can see.
I hover at the edge, unsure, trying not to disturb the ritual.
"Uh, how can I help, baby girl?" I ask, scratching the back of my neck, feeling a little too big and clumsy at the foot of the nest.
Halley pauses, brow furrowed as she stares down the blankets. Her lips press into a pout and I can practically see the pheromone haze slowing her thoughts, fogging up the usual sharpness behind those violet eyes.
Then, she lifts one dainty hand and points to a lopsided tower of pillows in the corner.
"Fluff," she commands softly.
I nod like I’ve received a direct order from the brass. I’m her Beta, her helper, her anchor. When she says"fluff,"I move without question.
I grab a pillow and start kneading it into shape while she mirrors me. We fall into an easy rhythm, working side by side to build something that matters. She’s precise about every item’s place, and I guess it makes sense because with only a handful of worn pillows, frayed blankets, stiff towels, and a couple sets of clothes, she’s got limited resources to work with.
She lays down a blanket with soft reverence, smoothing each wrinkle. I try to help by placing a pillow next to it, but she bats it away with a huff.
“Wrong place,” she scrunches her nose up, and I turn away to hide my smile at how adorable she looks.
Halley then spends the next few moments agonizing over where to put the pillow steeped in Knox’s ink and spice scent.
She’s bossy in the cutest way, all determined little noises and narrowed eyes. Watching her delve deep into her inner Omega is an honor, and I feel good about myself for supporting her through it.
Finally, she flops back onto the mattresses, arms spread wide, beaming a smile of satisfaction.
“Done!”
I stand up and make a show of inspecting her work. I can’t decipher the arrangement. It just looks like a ring of cushionswith a few blankets tossed on top, but it’s perfect to her, and that’s all that matters.
"It’s amazing, baby girl. I'm so proud of you. Come on, let's get you tucked in."
Her purple eyes are glowing. I’ve seen that happen to the Alphas when they’re gripped by rage or arousal. But Halley’s shine is different. It’s lit with joy.
