The man I texted was sweet. And funny. And oddly endearing with his opinions about coffee. I know he’s depressed about his mom’s passing. I remember being confused and misplacing emotions when my own parents died. But dammit, I’m his omega. He should recognize the rarity of that. What we have isn’t optional. Not for him. Not for me.
He should also have the decency to look a little less attractive while he's actively rejecting me. A store employee drifts past him slowly. Twice. And I clock exactly what she's doing because I would do the same thing.
My omega growls.
God. Apparently we're doing this now.
“What did you say?” Graham asks.
Shit. Did I do that out loud?
“Just humming to myself.” I duck my head and walk to the wall of color swatches for a comforter I like. I'd prefer a quilt. Something vibrant with blue, navy, and green, so all my alphas are represented. Even the difficult one. It would fit the style of the house and make me think of them every time I pulled it over me.
But quilts take ages to make and I'll need bedding for my heat. I file the idea away for later. Maybe I can order one for my next heat.
I decide on an ecru color comforter and sheets. Five sets because heats get messy. I add two mattress protectors to the cart, as well. Then I begin piling copious numbers of pillows in. Graham watches me pile in every shade of green, blue, and navy I can find. After a moment he says nothing but picks up a deep navy pillow and adds it himself. He knows exactly what I'm doing.
The cart is overflowing when Silas rolls another beside me. I didn’t even see him get it.
“Saint, take this one to the register and have them start to add things to our bill.”
Ourbill. This is what packs do. I grew up knowing that. It still catches me off guard.
“What about this one?” Graham holds up a fluffy ecru pillow. It matches my comforter perfectly. “It feels like a rabbit. You’ll need soft things when your heat begins.”
I touch the pillow and feel a smile tug at my lips. “It’s perfect. Can you find more like this but in blue, green, or navy?”
Graham nods. “I’ll look everywhere until I find one in each color.” He walks to the far side of the wall, meticulously scanning each shelf of pillows.
Silas watches him step away. “We need to find you some new sleepwear.”
“I brought so many pajama sets with me.”
He kisses my nose. “Graham said that omegas like new clothes when they start a nest with their mates. According to his research, your omega will demand it when your heat begins.”
“She’ll be stark naked for most of it, so I doubt she’ll care.”
A growl rolls from Silas' chest, low and warm, definitely not disapproving. It has me stepping closer.
He puts his arms, all ink and muscle, around me. “Careful, little bird. You’re playing a dangerous game in public.”
“Would you prefer she be in her new jammies during heat?” I bat my lashes, daring him to kiss me.
He does.
Right there in the middle of the pillow section. It’s slow and claiming. I’m burning hot by the time he pulls away.
“New sleepwear,” he mumbles. “Before I find a dressing room and do something to embarrass the workers.”
He pulls me to the lingerie and pajama section. Despite my arguments, my omega is thrilled to have so many new sleeping and loungewear options. I select four sets in a matter of minutes. Silas adds two lingerie sets to my growing pile.
Graham arrives with four fuzzy pillows. One navy, one blue, and two in green, his favorite color. When he sees what Silas adds to the cart, he immediately scans the racks for something that suits his own preferences. His eyes land on a peacock green babydoll set designed to show more than it hides. He places it in the cart without comment, ears slightly pink, and turns to find more items.
The smell of ginger and molasses surrounds me. My pulse jumps. I turn to see Saint standing by the cart. A blue set is on top of the growing pile.
He meets my eyes for half a second before stalking away.
He added that,my omega pulses in quiet triumph.
