I frown, trying to make sense of his question. I’m too wrung out to be thinking this much.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Those curved chairs, the benches and rockers, that swing—how did you get them up here without any of us noticing?” he repeats.
“All the furniture was here when I moved in. That first day, this was all in my nest. I thought you guys got it for me,” I say.
“Last night was the first time I’ve seen any of this,” Orion says, shaking his head.
The others look similarly confused. All except for?—
“I bought them for her,” Cato says smugly.
“Whendid you buy them?” Magnus asks.
“When we were preparing Hestia’s rooms. They came just in time too. I barely got them put together before we left to bring her home,” Cato says.
Orion rubs his forehead. “Cato, this isn’t going to help our case. I really wish you hadn’t bought ourtraineesexual itemsfor her nestbefore she showed any interest in us.”
“We were redoing her rooms anyway, and already bought new furniture. It was the perfect time to get her other useful items,” Cato says.
“We hadn’t even met her yet! Why the fuck did you think it was okay to buy her sex toys?” Charm says.
“Sexfurniture,” Cato corrects. “I have a sense for these things. I bought them after I read herfile and saw how perfect my pet is. I knew we would need it, and I was right. The customized sex furniture was wonderfully supportive while we fucked her.”
“Their usefulness is not the issue,” Henri says.
“You’ve watched her on the cameras since the day she arrived, how is that any different from what I did? We were simply planning for when Hestia became ours,” Cato says.
“Were the sex toys part of your ‘plan?’” Charm asks.
“Thefurniturepredated my Plan,” Cato says primly.
I can’t hold it in any longer.
I burst out laughing, cutting off further arguments.
I know Orion has a point, but I don’t care how it looks. I love that Cato picked out furniture for my nest so we could use it together someday. I should have realized this was his doing. I can’t imagine any of the others buying me sex furnitureortoys before we got together.
Looking back, it’s clear they were interested in me from the beginning. They’ve always taken care of me far beyond what’s normal for coworkers, but no one was as forward about it as Cato.
My omega recognized that their pack was special when we met. If I’d been honest with myself then, I would have realized we were meant to be. They’ve proven they’re the right pack for me every day since.
With those serious thoughts, my laughter subsides.
“I’m not upset about what any of you did before we got together. I literally fell for you that first day, I was so struck by our scent matching. My interest in you has only grown since I moved in. However, we should probably leave these little details out when we eventually tell HR we’re in a relationship,” I say.
My alphas laugh and finally relax, allexcept for Cato, whose purring continued uninterrupted, not troubled by his packmates’ concerns.
I’m pleased the others were so worried on my behalf, but it’s not like anything they did pushed me into this relationship. It’s who they are that drew me to them.
We enjoy the rest of our break by making thorough use of my nest with the occasional break for fun winter activities. We went sledding on the hills and skating at a little frozen pond nearby. I cuddled up with my alphas on the sleds and held their hands while skating. It was nice to spend time in the mountains where we’re free to be together.
Out here, with the snow falling, it’s like we’re in our own private snow globe.
Every day with them is so easy. I’ve found my home, a place where I’ll always be safe and loved.
I enjoyed wintering in Starsfalls, but I love our time at the station, even when we’re doing mundane things.
