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I nodded. “Yeah.”

The problem was, all I was thinking about doing was her.

Chapter 13

Summer

After scampering back to my bedroom and closing the door, I padded over to my bed quickly, diving under the covers and doing my best to put what just happened out of my mind.

Milo was fast asleep in his crib, so I turned onto my side to face him. The little guy’s face was red from fussing earlier. Teething was not being kind to him. I needed to look into more ways to help him because the sole teething ring I had simply wasn’t cutting it.

Sighing, I checked once again that he was asleep before closing my eyes and attempting to get some rest myself.

That was easier said than done, though.

All I could think about were Marshall's words.

Why was I so pleased he was attracted to me? I was also nervous as hell—but that was because he was far more alpha than anyone I had ever been around.

When I had made the decision to find a pack via a matchmaker, a small part of me hadn’t expected to actually want the alphas. They wanted an omega, yes, and I needed security. It was a simple transaction. I thought kindness was all I could expect, but after twenty-four hours with Pack Winters, I was starting to think differently. Every time I looked at them, there was a feeling deep in my stomach, a need that was growing.

One thing was for sure: I needed to buy some new pajamas.

I snorted to myself, trying again to empty the thoughts from my head and sleep.

It still wasn’t working.

The bond in my chest never eased. It was a constant pressure, and I wasn’t sure why. It had been hard enough to fall asleep in the first place.

Still, it likely had something to do with Emmett—the bond meant we wanted to be close. He was in the room next to me, but even that distance made me itch. If I were honest with myself, I knew that the bond was going to demand things from me that I wouldn’t be able to ignore.

I buried my face in the pillow, groaning quietly. I had enough to handle, what with a teething baby and trying to find my equilibrium in this new situation. Sighing, I rolled over again, squeezing my eyes shut in a desperate attempt to fall asleep.

My door creaked open, and in the glow of Milo’s night-light, I could make out Emmett popping his head around the door. His hair was sticking up in all directions, and he was wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants.

“Hey,” I greeted softly.

“Sorry, am I disturbing you?” he whispered, rubbing his chest with one hand, his voice thick with sleep.

I sat up, holding the covers around me. “No, come in. What’s up?”

He padded over to me, glancing at Milo, a serene smile spreading across his face at the sight of my son dozing happily. “Is the bond making it hard for you to sleep as well?”

I swallowed, almost laughing. “It’s not pleasant, is it?”

“It’s because it’s new. If you want… and it’s totally okay if you want to say no, but maybe… I could sleep on the floor in here tonight? The closeness will make it less stressful.”

I glanced down at the floor, then back to Emmett. My room had hardwood floors throughout, with pretty pastel rugs dotted around. That would hardly make for a comfortable sleeping arrangement for Emmett.

Maybe it was the bond making me brave, but I shook my head. Emmett’s face dropped before I spoke again.

“I can’t let you sleep down there. You’ll be so uncomfortable. The bed is huge—you can just stay here.”

His eyes widened. “Ar-are you sure?”

I nodded. “The bond isn’t going to settle unless we’re close. All we’re going to do is sleep…right?”

“Right!” He nodded adamantly.