Magnus transferred me to a pile of pillows earlier when he went to clean up, but I’ve found he’s a much better seat than anything else. I climbed right back in his lap when he returned.
They’re all freshly showered now, and even though I can tell they used descenting soap and sprays, their clean, natural scents are still obvious without air filters.
It’s just like I thought, the six of us smell like the perfect winter evening.
Winter has always been my favorite season, and even after surviving a blizzard, my mind hasn’t changed. There’s just something special about it. Winter, that is, not the blizzard.
The short days and cozy nights, colorful lights everywhere. It’s a season of slowing down.
I flex my toes, pink socks pointed toward the fire.
Orion pulls a blanket over me, even though I already pushed off the other ones they covered me with before dinner. I quickly slide this one off too.
“Do you not like the feel of it?” Orion asks.
I still as my omega brain whirrs, excited that an alpha is trying to help us nest.
I shake off the thought and say, “The blanket is fine, I’m just hot.”
“Are you sure?” Henri asks, peeking at me before quickly looking away.
“I’m warm enough here by the fire,” I say.
“Sure, but it’s still drafty,” Charm says.
As if on cue, an extra powerful gust of wind rattles the cabin. It’s been doing that off and on, and it’s mostly background noise at this point.
The fire has been going for hours, I don’t know why they’re so worried about a stray draft.
I catch Charm staring at my clothes, and when he realizes I see him, he hastily turns away to poke at the fire.
I look down too, confused about what’s wrong with my pink cotton shorts and tank top. This was all I had in my pack, obviously more suited for summer wear, but it’s just a backup set. I didn’t think my spare clothes needed to be fashionable.
“Do you not like my outfit?” I can’t help asking.
“No, it’s not that, your clothes are nice, I mean, lovely! Wear whatever you want. They just seemed…thin. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable,” Orion says.
I pull on the hem of my tank top, stretching it out. It doesn’t look that thin to me. I let go, and it snaps back in place, clinging to my skin.
There’s a chorus of growls from the surrounding alphas.
I roll my eyes. It’s not that thin. And sure, my shorts are short, but I’m not cold.
“I’m perfectly comfortable,” I say, crossing my arms.
That only makes them stare harder at my outfit.
They’re being so weird about my fashion choices.
Orion is the first to look away. He clears his throat and says, “We’ll get the beds together for tonight. I was thinking we would all sleep in here if that’s alright with you, Hestia. We can make you a private sleeping space if you’d prefer.”
“I don’t mind sharing. It’s the correct protocol in this situation,” I say.
Conserving heat and fuel is one of the most important things we can do.
After one last judging look at my outfit, they’re off to gather our bedding.
They can be a little too solicitous sometimes.
