Walking Through the House

Hutch

D assy holds both Everly and Mari’s hands as we move through the house. I watch the trio as they walk, admiring them. Everly is lean and tall for a beta, but she still looks small next to my brother. Mari looks downright miniature. Her hand hangs loose in Dassy’s, and her bare feet don’t make any sound on the hardwood floor.

I can’t help but think of what Izan told me about last night. About how Mari zoned out, becoming completely unresponsive. He has a plan to help the omega, but I’m still concerned. Mari has a lot of shit locked up in her head, and forcing her to be more present during sex might make her mind connect with things she’s not ready for. But Izan knows better than I do, so I’ll do as I’m told.

“Here we are,” Dassy says in his usual cheerful voice.

Mari looks around as if trying to figure out where she is.

“Izan’s room is one hallway over and to the right,” my brother says, sensing her confusion as well. “And we just passed Everly and our bedrooms.” He points back down the way we came. “Anyone that comes into our house will have to pass us to get to you.” He leans into the omega, giving her a reassuring smile. I can see his nostrils flare as he takes a long pull of her amazing aroma.

“But there are only two other rooms here.” Mari turns, looking back down the hallway. “Do two of you share?”

“Hutch and I share,” Dassy says.

He and I used to have separate bedrooms, but we found ourselves both wanting to be with our beta whenever we could, so it’s easier to share the space. It doesn't bother us. We’ve been sharing everything since the womb.

“After you, goldie.” Dassy opens Mari’s bedroom door, then he steps to one side so she can take the lead.

The omega’s eyes go wide as she walks into the brightly lit room. Sunlight pours in from the large windows on either side of the glass balcony door. Suncatchers hanging from the windows throw off rainbows, making them dance across the pale pink carpet and sage colored walls.

“This is really nice,” Mari says as if impressed. She admires the sitting area in the corner, with a plush, cream-colored sitting chair and couch. Then she takes in her dresser, the small desk, and the built-in bookshelves next to the door. All the furniture is white, but the pile of nesting materials next to the balcony are all different colors. Mostly pastels, but still colorful.

Mari is silent as she moves to the center of the room. Everly moves with her. I can sense the beta’s warring need to stay plastered to Mari’s side, but also to give her space. I understand her conflicting desires.

“What’s that?” Mari points at a long rectangular device installed in the ceiling.

“It’s an air purifier,” I say.

“It recycles the air,” Dassy finishes explaining it for me. “It will keep out any foreign scents, but will also keep your pheromones confined to your room once your heat starts.”

Mari's eyes widen at that as she gives a jerky nod. I want to assure her that no one outside of our pack would ever touch her during her heat, but I don’t want her to think this is a dangerous house filled with dangerous people. Our home is very secure.

Walking slowly, Mari examines the trinkets on the dresser, then the trio of paintings hanging above it. Each one is of a different flower. red roses, yellow daisies, and white lilies. She stares at the roses. I can’t tell if she likes it or not. Her expression is tight. Maybe even sad.

“We can buy you whatever you want to decorate,” Everly says, squeezing her hands together. She can sense there’s something off with Mari as well. “We can even redo the entire room. Even the bathroom.” She points to the omega’s private bathroom door.

Mari doesn’t say a word. She just stares at those roses as if lost in a trance.

Perhaps shopping on her first day home was too much for the omega. Or maybe we should have waited so Izan could show her the bedroom. He’s the only one that's connected with her. His presence would have brought her comfort.

“Is it the smell?” Dassy blurts out, clearly unable to take Mari’s silence any longer. The omega turns to him, her big brown eyes wide with confusion. “We repainted yesterday, but we’ve had big fans going all night long. I was hoping you couldn't smell the paint anymore.”

“Repainted?” Mari tilts her head. “You repainted the whole room for me ?” She glances around the entire room, taking everything in, ceiling to floor.

“Yeah.” Dassy pushes his hands into his pockets. “Everything was pink, but you said that you didn’t like pink.” He looks down at his feet. “Sorry, we couldn’t redo the carpet too, but we didn’t have anything on hand to replace it with.”

A small smile twitches in the corner of Mari’s pouty lips. “Thank you.” Her voice is soft, obviously touched. It makes my heart swell. “I actually don’t mind the carpet.” She looks down at her wiggling toes, and Everly’s expression shifts to relief. “But pink walls and pink floors would have been too much.” Mari glances once more at the roses before turning away from them. “Whose room was this?”

Everly’s eyes go wide at the question, and Dassy instinctively looks at me.

“It was just a spare bedroom,” I answer quickly, saving my packmates from having to lie. Everly hates lying and Dassy is shit at it. I’m not sure if I’m actually any good at it either, but no one ever questions me. Maybe it’s because I don’t say much in general.

“Oh.” Mari gives the room one more sweeping look, and the twin lines between her brows grow deeper. “There’s no bed.”

“Oh!” Everly squeals, suddenly filled with vibrant energy. “That’s the best part.” The beta jumps eager to show our omega her new nest. “Over here.” She takes Mari’s hand, leading her to the back of the room. “It’s called an alcove nest.” She stops at a small archway, showing Mari her new private space. “It’s like a room within a room.” The beta chatters nervously. “The floor is recessed, so watch your step getting into it, and the mattress is wall-to-wall so every inch should be very comfortable.” She points up at the golden string lights that circle the small space. “The ceiling is also a little lower so it doesn't feel as exposed. And it goes pretty far back so a few sizable alphas can fit in it.”

Mari’s throat works as she looks into the alcove. Her vibrant peppermint aroma grows warmer, filled with sweet vanilla. “This is amazing,” she whispers before turning to me and Dassy. “Thank you.” Thick emotion makes her voice small, and it makes me smile. “Can I build my nest now?” she asks, looking from Everly to me.

“Of course!” our beta says a little too loudly, making Dassy chuckle at her excitement. “We’ll leave you alone so you can rest.” She grabs Dassy’s hand, dragging the alpha toward the door. “Hutch?” She glances back at me. “Are you coming?”

“No,” I say simply, remembering what Izan asked me to do. Command, control, comfort. Expose Mari to my presence, and condition her to feel soothed by me.

Dassy and I both need to do this, but having both of us touch her right now would probably be too much.

Everly and Dassy close the bedroom door behind them, and I grab the desk chair. It’s small, built for an omega, but the legs are made of steel. It should hold me.

“Actually, I think I’d feel better if I had some privacy,” Mari says, her brown eyes cutting from me to the door.

“I won’t bother you,” I say, carrying the chair toward the alcove.

Mari backs up, her eyes growing wider with each step. Does she think I’ll hurt her?

“Please.” She almost falls as she takes another step back, stumbling into her nest. Anger makes her face flush red, and she huffs loudly. “I’d like for you to leave,” she says forcefully, and my eyes go wide at her tone. There’s a sharpness to it, edging on commanding. It’s an interesting change from the sugary-sweet way she usually speaks.

Is this what my new omega is like when she’s tired?

“I’m not leaving,” I say, placing the chair at the edge of the alcove. I sit, mindful of my feet. I don’t want Mari to think I’m going to enter her nest without permission. “Pretend I’m not here.”

Mari’s dark eyes narrow at my face, then they drift from me to the nesting materials on the other side of the room. She looks both angry and scared. Like I might snatch her up if she steps foot outside of the alcove.

“I’m not going to rut you,” I say, assuming that might be her concern. But she stays put, her jaw tense and her fists tight. “Would you like for me to get your materials for you?” I ask, trying not to be too pushy. After all, she’s deeply traumatized. We’re all going to have to be patient.

Mari’s mouth pulls into a tight line, refusing to answer, but I can see a thousand frantic thoughts flitting through her big eyes. It’s a little heartbreaking. Omegas are supposed to be lively and warm creatures. Their only care in the world should be who to love first, but not Mari. She’s got demons so deep, she can’t even remember them all. And right now, they’re keeping her from stepping foot outside of her nest.

Making the decision for her, I move, gathering up as much of the nesting materials as I can. I carry them to the alcove, dropping them onto the mattress. Mari watches me quietly, not moving a muscle. I’m sure she isn’t pleased that everything will now smell of me—omegas like to choose when and who gets to scent their nests—but there’s no helping it. I hope she doesn't mind my aroma. Everly says I smell of bright lime and woodsy cedar. I can’t smell myself, but I imagine that could be a bit overwhelming.

Once I’ve collected every last pillow and blanket, I get to work.

“You’re just gonna sit there and watch me?” Mari asks. Her tone makes it clear that she doesn’t believe that I don’t have some other motive. “You’re not here for something else?” Her eyes narrow.

“I want to spend time with my omega,” I say simply, crossing my arms and leaning back in the tiny chair. It’s not very comfortable.

Mari’s lips pull into a tight line, and for a moment I think she might argue some more. Then she lets out a frustrated huff and snatches a pillow off of the top of the pile next to her. She works slowly at first, continuously throwing nervous glances my way. But after a while, the omega seems to forget I’m here, and she focuses entirely on her nest. She has two layers of blankets perfectly situated when she starts tugging at the collar of her dress. She obviously doesn't care for the garment, and I understand why. It doesn’t fit properly. Billowing fabric hangs from the too-tight collar and it appears to pinch at her waist.

“You can strip down,” I say and Mari spins around, clearly shocked at my suggestion. I keep my tone light and friendly, not wanting to upset her. “Don’t omegas prefer to nest naked?”

“No,” she snaps with far too much attitude, jerking at her collar once again. “We like to nest in something comfortable .”

I look at her, not breaking eye contact. The bold way she stares right back has me on edge. But I can’t reprimand her for being disrespectful. It’s too soon for that. Right now, I need to concentrate on building a connection with her.

“I’m not taking my clothes off.” Mari looks down, finally breaking eye contact. She’s not bowing in submission, but at least she’s not challenging me anymore. “I won’t risk you destroying my nest, trying to get to me.” She looks up at me through her lashes, glaring hard. “You say you aren’t here to rut me, but we both know that’s a lie.”

It takes everything in me not to reach into her nest, jerk her to me, and spank her ass raw. Instead, I take a calming breath, speaking as softly as I can. “I’m not going to touch your nest without permission.”

Mari’s pretty face twists, and she snorts loudly. “You expect me to believe that?” she snaps, crossing her arms.

Her attitude is shocking.

“Listen here, little omega.” I lean forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “You could flash your bare, dripping pussy at me right now, and I wouldn’t step foot in this fucking nest unless you asked me to.” Her eyes go wide at my harsh tone. “I’m not a fucking animal,” I snarl. “I’m your alpha. And I have the right to watch over you.”

A flash of something defiant flits across Mari’s face, and she lets out a stiff laugh. “So you’re the only alpha in existence with willpower?”

“I don’t give a shit about other alphas.” I lean back again, crossing my arms and making a show of getting comfortable. “Do whatever you want, Mari. Keep that fucking dress on. Be miserable.”

A restrained groan pushes from Mari’s chest and she snatches up another blanket, getting back to work. I stare at her face, watching her agitation rise with each passing second. She tugs at her collar again, then again, before finally letting out a high-pitched growl.

“Fine!” she yells, clawing at the opal buttons down her front. Two of them pop free, then she wrenches the dress over her head, exposing her lush body to me. No bra. No panties. Just soft, lush skin.

Drawing her arm back, Mari throws the dress as hard as she can right at me. It falls short, puddling inside the arch to her nest. Enraged, the naked omega crawls to the offending garment, and she throws it again. This time, it flies past me, landing in the center of the room.

I slowly turn back to her, surprised to see Mari standing in the center of the mattress with her fists balled up tight, glaring right at me. I stare at her exposed body—her gorgeous tits, trim waist, and the soft slit of her pussy. One of her nipples is inverted, and I want nothing more than to lick it. Dive in and try to draw it out.

My mouth waters as I think about her hot slick pouring down my face.

I think about what it would be like to fuck her mercilessly. Will she scream and writhe? Will she claw at my back? Will she beg me to stop?

A shiver works through me as I imagine the feel of her tight cunt growing wetter and wetter on my cock. I’ve never tasted omega slick before.

“Hutch?” Mari whispers my name, pulling me from my depraved fantasies. Her chest rises and falls as she stares intensely at my face. It’s obvious she thinks I’m going to rush her, and I really want to.

“Go on.” I stand and Mari backs up. My cock is rock hard, straining against my zipper. I need to adjust it, but I refuse to bring any attention to it. It would only scare her more. “Finish your nest,” I say as calmly as I can, before walking briskly to the bedroom door.

I have to get out of here before I do something I regret.

But Izan is right. Our omega is far more damaged than we thought. Maybe even worse than the last one we took in, and that poor girl died.

I hope the same fate doesn’t find our spirited Mari.