I awoke later, confused. I was in my nest. I vaguely remembered Gage carrying me upstairs and putting me to bed after I had failed to wake up from my nap with Owen. It was dark out now and my nest was completely pitch black and it felt… wrong.
In my drowsy state I couldn’t completely put my finger on it. The blankets were all where I had placed them this morning and I could smell Gage’s scent on my pillow. So what was it?
The sound of shuffling from the door of the closet pulled me further into alertness as I rolled over and lifted my head and was immediately assaulted with the smell of charred meat. What in the world?
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness I looked at the door which was normally only left open a crack but right now was wide open, and there, in the darkness, was the shape of someone. They were tall and slender, their silhouette framed by the dim light from the bedroom. I was immediately aware of two things: one, that the burnt meat smell was coming from the shape and two, this person was not one of the men in Pack Russo.
The figure lifted a finger to his lips and I heard “shhhhhhhhhhh,” as they stepped further into my nest, bringing the rancid smell with them.
There was no way in hell that I was going to be quiet.
“Who the hell are you?” My voice was high and thready as I sat up and scooted backwards until my back hit the wall of the closet.
“Just be quiet and this will go nice and easy.” The stranger said in what I’m sure he thought was a soothing voice. I, however, was having none of it.
“Keep the fuck away from me.” I managed to make my voice as loud as possible, hoping that my voice was loud enough for one of the others in the house to hear. Fear seemed to choke me at the end and the ‘me’ of my words cracked as the man entered further into my nest. Disgust at having someone who I didn’t invite into my nest made me want to throw up as everything in my body told me that I was in danger.
I could hear the door to my bedroom slam open, making the stranger stop and turn.
“Who the fuck are you?” A growling voice said as the stranger was yanked out of my nest. I could hear a scuffle and several thumps of someone being struck. I could hear voices shouting in the hallway but I kept myself plastered to the wall of the closet, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
Finally the sound of someone being thoroughly walloped stopped and more voices joined the first.
“What the hell? How did he even get in here?” This was Ric’s voice.
“It looks like he scaled the damn wall and her window was open.” That was Gage.
“Bastard.” This was slightly accented, Dominic.
“Eloise?” Owen’s soft voice came from the entrance of the closet as he stood in the doorway, unsure of what to do.
I just shook my head as words seemed to flee from my mind as panic overtook it. Everything was all wrong. My nest was ruined and I wasn’t safe. I curled in on myself, a whine escaping from my throat which was answered by a chorus of growls in the next room.
“Get him out of here.” The original voice who had come into the room said and I realized that it was Leon. Another whimper escaped my throat and I wanted to burrow underneath my blankets but they smelled like rotting meat now.
I could hear the pack discussing something outside and I briefly heard ‘take her upstairs’ and ‘I’ll bring him into the office for questioning’. That was Gage. Where was Gage going? Panic seemed to be bearing down on my shoulders and pushed me further into the fetal position.
“Eloise, can we come into the nest to get you?” This was Owen again. I shook my head. It wasn’t safe to leave. I didn’t want to stay either. The smell of rotting meat seemed to surround and choke me while I was in here.
“Eloise.” This was Leon’s deep timbre. Protected. He had protected me from the man who had come into my nest. Realistically I knew that it didn’t mean anything—he still didn’t like me. But to my omega instincts he was the only safe haven for me right now.
“Only Leon can come in.” My voice was raspy and quiet as I looked up at the doorway. Dominic, Ric, Leon and Owen were looking at me like I’d grown a second head.
“Seriously?” Dominic asked incredulously looking from Leon to me and back to Leon, “They fight like cats and dogs half the time. In fact, they fought at breakfast this morning.”
It was true. We’d argued about some politician who was running for office. I was beginning to think that Leonlikedarguing with me and would bring up things he knew would piss me off.
“It’s what her instincts are asking for,” Ric shrugged and stepped out of the doorway, “Leon was the first to get in here so her omega instincts are telling her that he’s safe.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Leon asked, sounding like he was as far out of his comfort zone as he could get.
“Comfort her.” Was all Ric said, “I’m going to make sure that what Gage was getting ready is good to go.” Ric made eye contact with Dominic and jerked his head towards the door. The other alpha sighed begrudgingly and left with Ric, leaving only Owen and Leon in the room with me.
“You have to comfort her Leon, she’s hyperventilating and I can’t go in without her permission.” Owen was gripping the frame of the closet door. My body had begun to shake and shudder and I was freezing.
Leon looked at me, huddled in the corner of the closet and gave a massive sigh. He kicked off his shoes and stepped into the nest, stepping slowly inside as if I was going to change my mind and hiss at him if he got too close. But my instincts were riding me hard and I knew that he was what they were telling me was ‘safe’.
I reached out for him and his hands came underneath my elbows and he pulled me shakily to my feet. My knees quickly buckled and he cursed under his breath and scooped me off of my feet and into his arms. His scent wrapped around me like a blanket, a crackling campfire and mulled wine. I pressed my cold nose into his warm neck and inhaled deeply, my body melting and relaxing from the shudders and shakes that had overtaken it. His scent was like the best muscle relaxer and it spread through my body like a warm drink.
