As usual, Teddy’s antics make my head fall back on a laugh. He chuckles along with me, and when I look around the room, all eyes are on me.
“I don’t know, Brennan,” Ethan murmurs as he comes up next to the alpha, staring down at me. My throat goes dry. “I thinkthatmight be the sweetest song I’ve ever heard.”
Clearing my throat, I step away, fanning myself. “You all are going to make me die of heat stroke.”
Maverick barks out a sharp laugh, the sound both shocking and welcome. A small giggle breaks out of me, and then Teddy, Ethan, and Brennan are chuckling as well.
As warmth curls in my chest, I can see it. A real future, free from my parents, with this pack by my side.
Chapter 15
Wren
“Idon’t need you to feed me, Teddy.” I giggle, swatting his hand away as he tries to hand-feed me a bite of mashed potatoes.
My stomach is still feeling a little weak after not eating for days, so I’m trying to take it slow, with easy to digest foods. After the guys gave me my courting gift, we spent the rest of the afternoon in the nest, easy conversation and comfort floating between us.
Ethan and Teddy had argued over what other book subscriptions are best for the e-reader they got me, and Brennan got out a bag of clothes, showing me each one and letting me feel the fabric before putting them away. Each item was soft, and had the “Nesting Co.” brand label on it. I can’t even explain how it made me feel to have these men provide me with clothing that wouldn’t make me feel like crawling out of my own skin.
When I expressed as much, the looks of rage that passed over each of their features—not at me, but at my parents for forcing me to live in a constant state of distress. There was even a tirade from Ethan about how textures affect an omega’s nervous system.
Maverick had disappeared for a little bit before returning and informing me there would be a doctor that he trusted implicitly coming to check on me tomorrow.
Despite the fact that I hate doctors—or at least, my family’s doctor, I couldn’t bring myself to feel nervous.
I’ve never felt more comfortable and cared for.
In fact, I think I might want to wear animal onesies for the rest of my life.
“Can’t ‘elp it, Dove,” Teddy grins in my ear as he grabs my hand and keeps it from moving. “It’s an alpha thing.”
Rolling my eyes, I open my mouth, and let him push the spoon past my lips.
“Shit, that isgood,” I nearly moan. “So much better than the salads and nonfat yogurt Mother would force on me.”
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good salad. But when it’s your lunch and dinner every single day, a girl gets a little hungry.
Teddy hushes me. “Don’t say that, Dove, or Ethan will get an even bigger ‘ead.” He nods at the alpha across the table, whose chest is puffed up, and a proud look is on his face. “‘E’s already gonna be insufferable knowin’ he’s feedin’ you your first meal of freedom.”
My eyes widen. Really? Alphas care about…feeding me?
“You like steak?” Maverick asks, cutting into his chicken. “I’ll make you a good, juicy steak.”
“Oh.” My cheeks flush. “I…I don’t know. Only my parents were allowed to have it—Mother said I needed to stick to salads. Egg whites and spinach for breakfast.”
Maverick’s face turns dark. “Your parents…they ate full meals in front of you while you had to stick to…lettuce?”
“It wasn’t just lettuce,” I shrug, letting Teddy feed me another bite. “There were tomatoes, sometimes a little bit of chicken. Cucumbers…carrots, maybe.” I shrug again. It’s not like vegetables arebadfor you. “After I hitpuberty, Mother switched up my diet. I was allowed to eat the same meals as my parents before, but…I don’t know. I must have started gaining weight because then Mother hired a nutritionist. And then it only got worse once they started talking about making me the face of Nest Luxe.” I shiver.
“A nutritionist?” Brennan’s brows shoot up. “Did…did you ever meet this nutritionist? Did they talk to you?Lookat you?”
“No.” I frown. Why would they do any of that?
“Then either she didn’t really get a nutritionist,” Brennan’s voice is on edge as he stabs some of his cooked carrots with a fork, “or she hired a quack.”
My mouth gapes. What…why would Mother do any of that? She wouldn’t have needed to lie about it, considering I always did whatever she said anyway.
“I’ll make us all steaks,” Maverick cuts in, his voice gruff as he cuts Brennan a look. “Tender and juicy, you’re gonna love it.”
