I don’t think I could deny her even if I wanted to. Something in her voice breaks my heart. Moving forward, I pull back the blankets, let her climb in first, then settle beside her. The familiar comfort of the nest wraps around us, but everything feels new.
She edges closer. Her head rests on my shoulder; damp hair brushes my jaw, and her scent drapes over me—sage, jasmine, and traces of Caleb’s on the hoodie.
I tense for a moment. I’m used to being held, not doing the holding. Usually tucked between Jethro’s back and Ross’s chest or snuggled into Caleb’s bear-like warmth. But this, with her, feels right.
My arm moves without thought, resting around her shoulders. She exhales and melts into the contact. Her scent still carries fear, but it’s muted now by something calmer. Then a sharp pulse hits low in my belly as it travels to my dick and balls. A sudden, unwanted reaction. I’ve never responded like this to another Omega. I slow my breath, anchor myself to her breathing, the rhythm of it steady. Focus on the warmth of the nest. On her trust.
The tension ebbs.
Time drifts. Her breathing deepens and soon she’s out.
When I’m sure she’s asleep, I shift away, careful not to wake her as I get up from the nest and leave the room.
Carefully, gently, I ease myself out from under her, making sure not to jostle her. She stirs slightly, murmuring something unintelligible, but doesn’t wake. I pull a blanket over her, tucking it around her shoulders.
I head downstairs, my mind racing. I need to talk to Jethro, Ross, and Caleb. We need to figure out what we’re going to do. Because one thing is certain: Sandra’s arrival has changed everything.
I find them in the living room, sprawled on the oversized dark brown sectional sofa the compliments the creams and gray accents I spent a month picking out. Jethro, Ross, and Caleb are huddled close together. Ross is in the middle, Jethro to his right, and Caleb to his left. Jethro has a book in his lap, though he doesn’t seem to be reading it. Ross is scrolling through his phone. Caleb has his laptop open, probably working on some coding project.
Without a word, I go to them and squeeze my way in. My usual spot. I curl up, my head resting on Jethro’s shoulder, my legs stretched out over Ross’s lap, and my feet resting on Caleb’s. Caleb puts a hand on my ankle, a comforting gesture.
A comfortable silence settles over us, the only sound the soft click of Caleb’s keyboard and the occasional sigh from Ross. I close my eyes, breathing in their scents : Jethro’s smokymarshmallow, Ross’s sharp ginger, and marshmallow, Caleb’s warm marshmallows and dates. Home.
But even surrounded by their familiar comfort, I can’t shake the image of Sandra, asleep in my nest, her scent a delicate counterpoint to my own.
My voice is quiet, breaking the silence. “We need to talk about her.”
Jethro’s arm tightens around my shoulders. “We will. But it’s her decision, Oli. Whatever she wants to do, we support it.” He says it again, but I can tell there is a strain there, as if part of him is already dreading her leaving.
“I know, but...” I hesitate, unsure how to voice my own conflicted feelings.
Caleb’s fingers still on the keyboard. “But what?”
“But I don’t want her to go.” The words slip out before I can stop them. I feel heat rush to my cheeks.
Ross chuckles, his chest vibrating beneath my legs. “Already attached, are we?”
I huff, but don’t deny it. “It’s just...she’sours, isn’t she? I mean...scent-matched. It’s...it’s a miracle.”
Jethro’s voice is low. “It is. But that doesn’t give us the right to keep her here against her will.” I can almost feel him pouting from here.
Caleb, ever the pragmatist, speaks up. “I’m more worried about her father, and these loan sharks. We’re Alphas, yeah, but we can’t exactly fight off a bullet.”
Jethro sighs. “I doubt they’ll find her. They’ll probably assume she went to Pueblo. Everyone knows about the Safe Haven there. Even with the people around here knowing, not many give Willowside a second thought.”
Caleb is persistent.“Still. It’s a risk.”
Ross’s voice is firm, his hand squeezing my leg reassuringly. “We’ll protect her. Whatever it takes.”
Jethro’s tone is final. “It’s her choice.”
I sigh, knowing he’s right. “I felt...something. With her. An attraction. I didn’t think...I didn’t think I could feel that for awoman. Not after you guys. But her scent...it calls to me, too.”
A beat of silence. Then, Ross leans over, his face close to mine. He’s all sharp angles and striking features, high cheekbones, a strong jawline, and piercing blue eyes that seem to see right through me. He presses a soft kiss to my lips, his breath warm against my skin, the scent of ginger and marshmallow teasing my senses. He murmurs. “Interesting. You finding a woman sexually attractive.”
Before I can respond, a scream pierces the quiet of the house. A raw, terrified scream that sends a jolt of adrenaline through me.
We all jump up, instantly alert.
