Inken laughs gently, “Your nest first, little one.”
They guide me up the stairs, and I wonder if I’m dissociating a bit.
Naw, I’m excited as hell to be here, why would I be doing that? The meds maybe, from the molecular transport?
They point out their rooms, one per floor, but each door is closed. When we make it to the fifth floor, I can see Azane practically vibrating with excitement. I grin in response as she swings open the rough hewn door with an arched top.
Stepping forward, my eyes widen. The room circles the tower, which in-and-of-itself would be incredible. But facing the forest is a humongous, circular, two-story window. Some of the center house tree’s leaves are visible, draping into the view out the window.
Hanging potted plants drape from the ceiling in various places. Near the window is a set of squishy-looking chairs and a couch. A woodstove-type thing sits off the opposite wall, a pretty sea-green kettle sits on top, bubbling happily, the wall and floor below it covered in some kind of cube-shaped stone. But to the right is a circular archway. At first glance, I believe the boughs, or roots, are living, but as I step forward, I realize they are not alive, but merely some other incredibleengineering feat. I am about to spin, to question Azane on her—magical—designs, but my eyes land upon the bed.
Nest, I mean.
It’s gigantic and circular, taking nearly the entire alcove. Little lights, covered in some kind of fogged glass, are nestled in the boughs and leaves on the ceiling. The bed stands naked though, and I look back to Azane.
She smiles, and her arm swings out, pointing to the exterior wall. Various pillows— multiple shapes and sizes—and many, many blankets and sheets line the wall. The fabrics vary from dark reds to lemon yellows to the palest blues. Yet again, my eyes widen as I turn to take in my alphas.
“Choose, wedari, and we’ll outfit your nest for you,” Azane offers in a low, soft voice.
I blink and I realize I am definitely not yet myself.
Alright, I can do this. It’s like redecorating my bedroom. No problem.
I cross the open space and kneel, my blanket flowing around me, and I touch the pillows, feeling the array of textures. I begin tossing various pillows, blankets and sheets towards the bed, the grin on my face growing wider every second.My nest. My pack. My family.
When I reach the end of the row, Azane is next to me, holding out her hand. I take it as I stand.
“Come, little one, let Inken and Zilas dress the nest, while I find you something to eat and drink,” she says in a husky voice that gives me a half-hard-on, which luckily, the blanket covers.
I nod, overwhelmed, as she takes my hand and leads me down the spiral staircase. As we reach the first floor, she turnsleft. We pass through an open doorway into what is clearly a kitchen.
I sit on a tall stool, the legs and arms made of slender, interwoven branches. Across from me, Azane opens what appears to be an alien refrigerator.
She pulls out several things, including a bright green juice.
“Very recent data suggests this is what you consider wine?” She offers, the raise of question in her voice.
“Perfect,” I say quietly, smiling.
She pours it into a small glass for me and turns to the cooktop.
“Would you like some food?” Her voice is low and soothing.
“Uh... I’m not really hungry,” I offer, before sipping the wine.
It might be a disturbing green, but it tastes like a complex red wine and my eyes close in pleasure. “Mmm,” I mumble, “this is good.”
I catch her sharp-toothed smile.
“Are you quite sure I can’t feed you, omega? We have things to do after this, and I don’t want you getting hungry during.”
My stomach swoops, considering what she might mean by ‘things.’
“No, really, alpha, I’m fine.” I smile at her, and her face softens.
She lifts a small glass of the green juice and sips as she leans back against the other counter. Her eyes stay focused on me the entire time and I feel like prey. The flashes of her sharp teeth only further that. I gulp my wine, looking away, out the expansive windows that show the forest behind the home.
Without considering what I’m saying, I blurt out, “I’m kind of surprised you haven’t had sex with me yet.”
