Mari’s Nest

Mari

A fter Izan put me in my nest, I lay motionless forever, staring at the ceiling. I told myself I was waiting for the coast to be clear before sneaking out, but in reality, I was too upset and confused after what happened.

Izan shattered me into a million pieces. He ripped me open and turned me inside out, forcing me to show him parts of myself I didn’t even know existed. I hated him at first, but then I wanted to cling to him, beg him to hold me. To press his big, warm body against mine, and make me come over and over again.

I hate him for making me feel this way.

Sick of thinking about the damn alpha, I force myself to stand. A small gush of cum drips from my abused sex. The mess on my skin has long since dried, leaving rough patches all over my stomach and breasts. I need to find some clothes but all I have is that ugly pink dress from this morning. It still lies in a puddle in the center of my room. I glare at it, deciding I’d rather be on fire than put that fucking thing on again.

Pulling a small quilt off of the corner of my nest, I drape it over my shoulders.

This will have to do.

Moving quietly, I turn my doorknob, wincing when it squeaks. I shut the door behind me, then I wait, listening. There are no footsteps, no voices. No one heard me.

Deciding it’s safe, I move down the long hall, slowing down to tiptoe past the twins and Everly’s bedroom doors. Then I stop. Panting and mewling drifts from one of the doors, followed by Everly gasping Izan’s name so loud I almost jump out of my skin. Swift jealousy hits me and I freeze.

Did he leave me to fuck Everly?

Why didn’t he bring me with him?

Are the twins in there too?

My mouth hangs open as the unmistakable sounds of wet skin slapping together fills the hallway. Alpha growls overlap and a wild moan makes my heart race. Lust and rejection war within me, making my face flush hot. My fists curl tight around my blanket and I glare at the carpet.

Every cell in my exhausted body is demanding I bust down the door and crawl into bed with them. To present to Izan, to kiss Everly, to beg the twins to fuck me the way they do our beta.

Our beta?

I wince at the wayward thought, taking a quick step back.

Everly isn’t mine. None of them are.

I don’t want this pack , I remind myself. The Silva’s are a means to an end . I’m using them to find the Tenus pack. To find out where Cardis took my brother. Then I’ll get the fuck out of here.

Gathering all my willpower, I tip my head up, then I march down the hall, away from the sloppy sounds of sex.

I wander around the house, not really sure how much time has passed. This place is a goddamn maze, and it doesn’t help that my mind keeps drifting back to the rest of the pack fucking without me. I hate that it bothers me.

A large clock in a large room filled with nothing but old maps, showed that it was close to three in the morning. Almost two hours wandering around this damn house. I’m definitely lost.

I’m just about to give up and return to my room when I turn a corner and excitement bursts in my chest.

The door to the east sitting room is right in front of me.

Finally.

I rush to it, turning the knob very slowly in case it squeaks. It doesn’t make a sound. Once inside the pitch-black room, I hold out my hands, walking carefully toward the window. Why are all the curtains so thick? Does this pack not enjoy any sunlight?

My hips bump into the couch, and I almost knock over a lamp, but I finally reach the window. I grab the edge of the thick curtain, tugging it slightly so a bit of moonlight cuts into the darkness. Then I turn to the bookshelf, praying the tablet is still here. For a moment, I can’t find it and fear swims in my belly. But then something catches the moonlight and I glance up to see the shiny black screen leaning against a stack of books. I grab it, then drop to the floor, sitting on my feet. More cum pushes out of me, and I snarl at the mess between my legs.

“Concentrate,” I whisper harshly. I might not have much time.

After all, there are cameras facing Izan’s offices. There might be another one in my bedroom or in all the hallways. Hell, they might be all over this place. Someone might already be aware that I’m out of bed right now, so I’ve got to do this fast.

My fingers tremble as I press the power button. The screen lights up, presenting three rows of tiny icons, and a breath of relief slips from me— thank goodness there’s no passcode .

Finding a familiar icon, I press it, then begin my search: The Tenus Pack

Several articles immediately display, and I dive in, clicking on the first one. I skim the first few paragraphs, flying past the introduction to the pack’s association with crime. I look for the Pack Alpha’s name, not stopping until I find it:

Donovan Tenus has offered the following comment on his packmate’s conviction: “Breckin is a loyal alpha, an excellent packmate, and a longtime friend. The charges brought against him are nothing more than the result of an overbearing government, determined to destroy good alphas.”

Donovan Tenus.

A memory rolls forward, and I suddenly remember something Cardis said on that awful day two years ago: “Donovan will make plenty of money off of them.”

Does Donovan run the Black Market?

Or he did.

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I open a new tab, doing a quick search on “ Donovan Tenus and the Black Market” . I don’t expect there to be an address for the asshole, but I need something that might tell me where I can find him. After all, if Donovan is Cardis’s pack alpha, then finding one will mean finding the other.

I click on the top article, skimming it quickly. There are several paragraphs on Donovan’s charitable work and as well as a few unconfirmed statements that he’s involved with the Black Market. Annoyed, I back out of the article and click on the next one.

The Omega Black Market is a temporary camp where omegas are captured and sold to the highest bidder. It’s an elusive location that changes frequently, making it difficult for authorities?—

A floorboard creaks somewhere within the house and I freeze up. Holding my breath, I strain my ears, trying to figure out if someone is moving around or if it’s the wind making the house settle. After a few tense moments, I release my breath, then turn back to the tablet. I need to get back to my room before I’m caught, but I want to check one more thing.

I type in “Alpha Cardis and the Tenus Pack” in the search bar. The page flashes, but before I can click on any links, another creak hits the air, but this one is closer. Panicked, I exit the tab then turn off the tablet, before shoving it back onto the shelf. The footsteps stop right outside the room and I stare at the shadow under the door.

The scent of vanilla-dipped apples hits my nose and rage bubbles in my blood.

My plan was to pretend to be sleepwalking, but knowing Izan is on the other side of that door has me enraged all over again. I want to scream at him, claw at his face and throw a lamp at his head. He’d probably beat my ass raw, but it would be worth it.

He deserves a bit of pain for the way he fucked me, then left me all alone.

A wicked thought pops into my head, and I pull a small hardback book off of the shelf. This is probably my only chance to get a bit of revenge for the things he’s done to me. After all, no one punishes an omega in the midst of a panic attack.

“Mari?” The door creaks open and Izan steps into the dim room.

I don’t even think.

I raise the book as far back as it will go, then I chuck it right at Izan. A flash of adrenaline bursts through me when it hits him right in the center of his face.

“What the fuck!” the alpha yells, covering the bridge of his nose.

I don't give him time to recover, grabbing another book and screaming like I’m being ripped limb from limb. “Don’t hurt me!” I throw the book with all of my might. It flies past Izan’s head, hitting the wall before falling to the floor with a thud. “Go away!” I grab another one off the shelf, but before I throw it, Izan is suddenly at my side, ripping the weapon from my hand. “Don’t touch me!”

“Calm down!” the alpha roars, yanking me to him. I twist and turn, slamming my fists against his chest. “Mari!” He barks in my face, and I pretend to snap out of it. I’d like to keep beating the shit out of him, but I don’t want to push my luck.

“What…” I blink repeatedly, pretending to be lost and confused.

“What happened?” Dassy appears in the doorway, followed quickly by Hutch. Both are wearing nothing but their underwear.

I stare at their identical cut bodies, taking in their powerful chests, hard abs, and big arms. The only real difference between the two is a rough scar across Hutch’s chest, and a tattoo across Dassy’s lower stomach. It looks like a black snake coiling around a row of black roses, but it’s hard to tell in the dark room.

“Is she okay?” Dassy turns on a nearby lamp, and I squint at the sudden burst of light.

“She’s fine,” Izan says forcefully as he squints at me. His scent is so intense this close. Almost too intense. I try to turn away to escape it, but Izan’s hold on me doubles, keeping me frozen in place. “I think she was sleepwalking,” he says, scanning the full length of my face. It’s hard not to glare up at him, but I’m putting on a show right now, and I can’t give myself away. So instead, I stare unfocused at my feet, gently swaying side to side.

“Sleepwalking?” Hutch’s voice slips up behind me, and it takes everything in me not to jump. He is very quiet when he wants to be.

“Don’t wake her.” Dassy looks between me and Izan, clearly worried. “It’s dangerous to wake sleepwalkers. Right?”

Hutch strolls around me and Izan. “She’s already awake.” He stares at my face with a wild intensity. “You’re awfully far from your bedroom, omega.”

Izan’s big hands slowly uncurl from around my upper arms, finally releasing me. “What are you doing in here?” he asks, a little too forcefully for my liking. Then he leans down, studying me intently. The touch of vanilla in his scent is so damn sharp right now, overpowering the crisp apples that normally shine the brightest. “Why did you leave your room?” His voice is stern, almost pissed.

I shake my head, looking around as if I’ve woken up on another planet. “What…” I trail off, pushing a whimper into the air. “Where am I?”

Dassy moves to me. “You were sleepwalking.” His voice is so soft as he caresses my back. I honestly expect Izan to yell at him for touching me, but the pack alpha doesn’t say a word. “It’s okay, omega.” Dassy’s blue eyes search mine. “You're safe with us. Izan didn’t mean to scare you.”

I smile, ducking my head. “I didn’t mean to hit him in the face.” I glance at Izan out of the corner of my eye. The alpha doesn’t look too happy with me, but he can’t exactly punish me for doing something in my sleep. Fuck, I wish I could smile right now.

“Hutch.” Izan places a heavy hand on my shoulder and I flinch. My feet instinctively move, inching toward Dassy. I’m not sure why the big alpha brings me comfort, but he does. “Get her back to bed,” he says to Hutch, and I jerk away from Izan.

“No.” I move around Dassy’s big body, hiding behind him. Izan pulls a face, almost as if he’s annoyed by my reaction. “I don’t want Hutch,” I say, not caring how rude I sound. But I can still see the look in Hutch’s eye when I was making my nest. He wanted to jump into my nest and fuck me stupid. I could feel it.

And given that I’m naked under this blanket, I don’t want to tempt the alpha.

Dassy seems safer.

For now.

“I can take her.” Dassy looks over his shoulder back at me. I lean into him, silently letting the other two alphas know exactly what I want.

“That’s fine,” Hutch says before letting out a long breath. I can’t tell if he’s offended by my rejection or if he’s just tired and ready for bed.

“Can you control yourself?” Izan gives Dassy a skeptical look.

“Yes, sir.” The blond alpha responds without an ounce of humor in his voice. It’s a weird shift in his tone.

“Okay.” Izan nods, giving his approval, and Dassy guides me out of the room.

I half-expect Izan and Hutch to follow, but they stay put. Maybe they’re putting the books back. I hope that’s the case, because I can’t remember if I closed out my last search. I think I did, but now I’m not sure. The last thing I want is to have to explain why I’m looking up Cardis. I have zero interest in talking about my past with anyone, let alone the alpha that forced himself on me, then rushed off to fuck everyone else but me.

Stop it, Mari, I scold myself silently as Dassy leads me through the house. You’re starting to sound bitter and jealous.

And maybe I am.

But who cares anymore?

I’m so tired and confused. I need to get out of here.

“Thank you for walking me to my room,” I say as Dassy walks straight to my dresser. He opens the top drawer, pulling out an oversized men’s T-shirt. The pleasant surprise makes me smile, and I reach for it . What else is in that dresser?

Turning my back to the alpha, I pull the shirt over my head, trying to put it on while still keeping the quilt on my shoulders. It’s awkward and ultimately doesn't work. The quilt shifts then falls before I can get the shirt over my ass.

“You are gorgeous,” Dassy says in a deep rumble.

I paste on a smile as I turn back to him. “Thanks again.” I try to sound friendly, but I sound pissed. “You can go back to bed. I’m not scared anymore.”

“Let me help you into your nest.” Dassy holds out a hand, completely ignoring my request for him to leave. I hope he doesn’t turn into Hutch, leering at me with hungry eyes, like I’m some kind of prey.

The second my feet settle in my alcove, I turn and say firmly, “I don’t need you to protect me while I sleep. You can go now.”

“Oh, I know.” Dassy pulls the desk chair to the edge of my nest, just like Hutch did. “But I’m not protecting you.”

I can’t help but balk at his ridiculous statement. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” Dassy sits, leaning toward me with a smirk on his face. “I don’t want anything to happen to this nest.” He gazes affectionately at my work. “Those materials were very expensive.” He chuckles deep in his chest. The sound vibrates around the room, making my fingers tingle and my toes curl.

“You’re worried about my bedding?” I snort as I cross my arms. Dassy’s eyes fall to my breasts, but he doesn’t look at me the same way Hutch did. His energy is more playful than his brother. More lively.

“Come here.” Dassy points to his feet, and my body goes tense. “You’re too wound up. Come and sit.”

My body trembles, eager to be near the alpha, but my mind is screaming. Alphas can’t be trusted to obey their leader’s orders. I’ve seen too many break rank when it comes to an omega. They ultimately do whatever they want, consequences be damned.

“Sit down, goldie,” Dassy pats the edge of my nest between his legs.

My fear spikes, but I do as I’m told and walk toward him. If Dassy’s going to touch me, there’s nothing I can really do about it. If I call for help, Izan and Hutch will run in here, and a fight will break out. Whoever wins will end up violating me, and it’ll probably be infinitely worse than if I let Dassy do whatever he wants.

I settle on my knees in front of the alpha, waiting for him to tell me what to do next.

“Turn around,” Dassy laughs. “Face your nest.”

Confusion makes my brows draw together as I slowly turn around. Then big hands slip into my hair. It’s a bit frizzy tonight with lots of knots. I used to struggle to tame my hair, but now I just let it do whatever it wants.

“Your hair is very thick,” Dassy says as he gathers it up, lifting it off my neck. He blows on my hot skin and goosebumps spread across my arms. It feels good.

Dassy blows again and again, before turning his attention to my hair. He smooths it out, brushing it gently with his fingers. An unintentional hum drifts from my throat when he tugs slightly. Sometimes it feels as if all my stress is carried in my scalp.

“Does that feel good?” Dassy asks in a deep whisper. “Do you like your hair pulled?” He twists my hair around his hand, then tugs every strand on my head. The relief is immediate and intense.

“Yes.” I gasp when he pulls harder.

“I’ll have to remember that,” Dassy says as he begins to braid my hair. His fingers move through my tresses as he gets to work, twisting each strand into place. “Hold this.” He reaches for my hand, wrapping it around the end of my braid.

Dassy stands and I whip around, suddenly worried he’s going to leave me. A scowl crosses my face at the desire to have him near. I’ve never spent this much time with one alpha before, and it’s fucking me up more than I thought it would.

Some days, I hate being an omega.

Dassy walks to the dresser, grabbing a small hair tie out of a large, white porcelain dish. It looks heavy. I really do need to check out everything in this room.

“That’s better,” Dassy says as he ties off the end of my braid. “Is there anything else you need, omega?” He leans down, bringing his face right next to mine. I turn to him, feeling his warm breath fan across my face.

He smells amazing. Like the forests that I used to call home. Earthy but still somehow sweet.

“I’m okay,” I whisper, looking deep into his bright blue eyes. They sparkle as he smiles.

“I’m going to sit by your bedroom door so you can rest.” He leans in, and for a moment I think he might kiss me. A burst of disappointment cuts through me as he kisses my forehead. “Let me know if you need anything.”

Deep longing for the alpha slams into me, but I refuse to ask him to sit with me.

I like Dassy, but falling for him isn’t an option.

I have to find my brother.