Page 54 of All Packed Up

“A proper bed,” Griffith said confidently.

Wait… What?

Wendy’s lips turned down, her cheeks beginning to heat as she leaned against the doorjamb.

“Uh, actually, Wendy,” Nic began nervously.

“You need a proper bed,” Tate interjected. Her gaze flew to his messy blond hair and blue eyes and gentle smile. “And Griffith had the brilliant idea to build one.”

Her eyes widened. That alpha wanted to do what?

Griffith must have read the panic she tried to conceal on her face, because he cleared his throat. “This wouldn’t be a courting gift or anything. I’m simply too far off the grid to order something like that online, and the town is so small it’s not like there’s an Ikea. This is the next best thing I can offer.”

Wendy blew out a breath and tucked her trembling hands in her sweater pockets. This… stranger wanted to provide for her.

And she hated that the words on the tip of her tongue were, Thank you, Alpha.

Fuck. That.

Shaking the thought away with a grimace, she shook her head. This alpha whom she’d met not even a full day ago was ready to build her a bed?

Thoughtful.

No!

It was too much like something that could—something she would owe him for.

“I’m fine on the blow-up mattress,” she lied.

Nic tilted his head to the side. “If I woke up on the floor, I know you did too,” Nic argued. “We’ll all help, so it won’t even take long, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I’m good with numbers, so math is kind of my thing. I could measure shit out and draw up plans. It would take maybe twenty minutes. If that,” Arlo continued as if it was already decided.

“I’ve already got most of the tools. All we really need is lumber and maybe some paint? Unless you’re into the natural look,” Griffith mused.

Wendy shook her head. They were going to build her a bed in Griffith’s house, expect her to go into heat, and then what?

“Do you not think we’ve done enough for you?” Derek asked.

Derek cleared his throat, and Wendy flinched before turning her gaze to him. He waved his hand around the room. “Is this nest not good enough for you?”

Her pulse thumped in her ears, dread curling in her stomach until it cramped. Or maybe that was the approaching heat. Wendy shook her head. “That’s not—”

“What is it then? You’re our omega, and we’ve pampered you since day one. How could you not want to bond with us, especially after so long? We’re the best damned alphas you’re gonna find, and you know it.”

It had to be the heat making her so raw. Their gazes sliced right through her, and the guilt they wielded sewed up the seams.

The nest around her was a beautiful prison. Textbook perfect, the nest was filled with more pillows and blankets than she could ask for, with perfect low lighting and everything she could ever imagine wanting in a nest.

Joshua and Derek were right. They’d done this for her. And how lucky was she? Catching the eye of the most popular alphas on her college campus was a fairy tale come true. They’d built a life not only for themselves but for her.

Without them, she’d have nothing.

Despite how they raised their voices at her, she knew they loved her. Why else would they dote on her so? Why else would they have waited so long for her to feel comfortable enough to bond them? It had been years.

“You’re right,” she agreed, clearing her throat and tearing her gaze away from Josh. “You’ve all been very patient with me, and… well, you’re right. It’s time.”

Maybe bonding would make them grow closer. Yes! It might even give her more insight into exactly what they wanted from her, so she’d quit disappointing them.