Teddy looks at me, his head tilted. “That’s wot I was just ‘bout to do, Dove.”
“No,” I shake my head, my cheeks warming, “I mean…” I pat the spot next to me, “up here.”
He grins, this unrestrained, almost maniacal grin as he launches himself onto the bed, landing on his back next to me with a thud. A giggle bursts out of me, and then I’m being pulled into his arms, my head on his chest.
I’m stiff at first, unused to such physical affection. But then, a damn purr rumbles in his chest, and he looks down to wherethe sound emanates from before raising his brows in surprise. “That’s new.”
The sound has me melting, though. My body molds against his, my arm banding around his abdomen. And then…it’s like part of me is whole.
Hearing Maverick purr earlier had been the first time I had even heard the sound, but now, feeling the vibration against me with his breakfast tea scent swirling in the air around us? I’m a little omega pile of goo.
But…it’s time to get some answers now.
“Teddy?” My voice is so quiet, it’s nearly a whisper.
“Hmmm?” He presses a kiss to my hair, making my stupid heart flutter.
“I just…I have a few questions.”
“Like what, Dove?”
“Like…What happened to Pack Caruso? Where are we? Where did these clothes I’m wearing come from? And the nest…am I in someone else’s nest right now?” The thought has been niggling at me since I launched that first pillow at Ethan.
Even though it hasn’t escaped my attention that this nest is pretty damn identical to the one I had at my parents’ house.
Teddy, his purr never ceasing, holds up a hand, ticking off his points, “I’ll wait ‘til everyone is ‘ere to explain ‘bout Pack Caruso. This cabin belongs to an acquain’ance o’ Brennan’s, I s’pose they owed him a favor. The clothes you’re in were bought from Nestin’ Co., and I managed to get them over you and then slip off the bloody dress you were in from underneath—all while maintainin’ your modesty.” He flashes me a grin. “And the nest…well, I may or may not ‘ave raided the store and bought anyfin’ that resembled i’ems from your old nest. So, no, you aren’t in anyone’s nest—we built it ‘round you. I even found a replacement for Lord Stuffington.” He reaches behind him, pulling out a rabbit stuffy that perfectly matches the one he bought me for Christmas.
I don’t know what to say.
“You…built it for me?”
“All o’ us,” he concedes, shrugging as he puts Lord Stuffington back into the pile of pillows, “‘cept Ethan, but if he ‘ad been ‘ere when we arrived, he woulda ‘elped too. Brennan and I did the shoppin’ together while Mav stayed in the car wiff you.”
The lump in my throat doesn’t want to move.
What am I supposed to do with this information? How am I supposed to suddenly reconcile the fact that less than a week ago, Teddy was the only one I wanted, but now…fate seems to have other ideas?
Though, I suppose it doesn’t matter at all if I don’t confirm one very important detail.
“Do…” I clear my throat, gently pulling away and sitting up to cross my legs. Looking at Teddy—my alpha, I realize with sudden clarity—I take his hand in mine. “Do you still want me?”
When he kissed me only a few days ago, he was a beta, and there were no other men involved. Our plan involved running away to Starbrook City, not hiding away with three other men.
The thought that this could change everything, that I might lose Teddy over something like this—I can’t even bear to think of it.
It’s not until his thumb swipes across my cheek that I realize I’m crying.
“Oh, Dove,” he whispers, before sitting up and taking my face with his. His kiss is possessive and hungry, but somehow gentle at the same time. When he pulls back, he keepsa hand on my cheek and presses his forehead against mine. “O’ course I do. How could I not?”
“It’s just…everything has changed now.” My voice is small, unsure. “Back when you wanted me, it was just you and me, and you were a beta, and—”
He cuts me off with a press of his lips. “WhenI wanted you? Dove, there is no force on this Earth that could keep me from wantin’ you. You could have fif’y-two other true scent matches runnin’ ‘round, and I would still want you.”
Sniffing, I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. “So fifty-three is where you draw the line?”
“As long as I still get you, then it don’t ma’ter. I…love you.” His words wipe the air from my lungs. “I thought…I thought I knew back when I first kissed you—but now I know it’s nuffin’ compared to the bone-deep knowledge that now sits inside ‘ere,” he taps his head, “and ‘ere.” He taps over his heart. “The moment I realized you were gone…” He shakes his head. “I’ve never known anyfin’ with such cer’ainty.”
“Teddy.” The word is choked as I kiss him again, tears running down my cheeks. How is it that he can make me feel so safe yet so alive at the same time? “I have beensoin love with you for…I don’t even know how long. Long before the true scent match…long before any of it.”
