Chapter Eight

Eve

Having a knot inside me has given me the best sleep, arguably, I've had all month.

My omega is settled. My body feels warm and still. Even the new life inside me seems to have calmed down—no nausea, no aches, no sudden urge to cry. Everything is … perfect.

I press back against Red, relishing in his hot cinnamon scent.

The sound of the door makes my eyes open. Marcus's fluffy, buttery pheromones reach out, searching for me.

It doesn't take him long to find me, wrapped around Red's knot. His face drops.

"Omega," he gasps. "What are you doing?"

My contentedness ripples. "Um … napping?" I answer.

Behind me, Red stirs. "Five more minutes …"

"Red," Marcus says, surprisingly sharp. "Wake up."

His packmate must also be startled by the tone, because he tenses. "Huh?"

"Wake up, and pull out."

I'm relieved to feel Red's arms drawing me closer. "What for?"

Marcus's scent sours with anger. The aroma is so unfamiliar I almost don't recognize him. "For the pup ."

Instinctively, my hands go to my stomach, but Red's are already there, holding us protectively.

"The pup's okay," I say, trying to convince myself as much as I am them. "The doctor said—"

"I don't care what the doctor said."

"Woah, man." Red shoots Marcus a warning look. "Don't snap at her."

Marcus's gaze finds mine, a shock of horror in those sapphire eyes. When his lips part, I know for certain he's about to apologize, but then Riley appears in the door.

"Sorry to interrupt," she says, "but Bax has a surprise for us. Well—" she looks at me and grins, "for you , pretty girl."

I guess we don't give her the instant enthusiasm she's expecting, because she frowns and asks what's wrong.

"Nothing," I say quickly. "I, um … what do you mean, a surprise?"

"A good one," she assures me. "But we're gonna need Red's and Marc's help to get it upstairs."

I sit up, intrigued, though my omega whines pitifully as Red's cock slips out of me. "I can help."

"Yes you can," she agrees. "Need you to get dressed and wait in Baxter's room for a few minutes. Can you do that for us?"

Leave the nest ? I almost ask grumpily. But her expression is so bright, so earnest, that I'd probably say ‘yes' to anything.

"Yes, alpha."

Apparently those two words are all it takes to lift whatever tension was remaining, as Red helps me get my shorts back on, and Marcus nuzzles me gently on my way out of the room.

Awaiting Baxter's surprise.

***

"And … open."

Riley lifts her hands off my shoulders, having guided me with my eyes closed back into the nest. I blink, taking a moment to register what I'm seeing.

My gut tightens, sensing something has changed—my alphas have been in here, messing up my blankets and pillows and perfectly cultivated scents. Why on earth would they think that's a good idea?

That's when it clicks. The mattress is gone. Or, rather, it's grown.

Wait … what?

"Baxter bought you a new bed," Red says smugly, "a bigger one."

"You mentioned it was bothering you," Baxter explains, eyeing me for my reaction, "having us all cramped together. Figured you might want some extra room to branch out."

My face is suddenly wet, tears spilling over uncontrollably. That I have a head alpha who is so intuitive, so caring, that he knew exactly what my inner omega needed—that I didn't even have to ask … how can he be so good to me?

"Princess—" Marcus starts worriedly, but Baxter nudges past him.

"Th–th–thank you," I hiccup.

He smiles, and the glorious sight of it only makes me cry harder. "You're welcome, little one."

I sniffle. "Can I …?"

"It's your nest, omega. You don't need permission."

I walk forward, regarding the new mattress with a blend of excitement and suspicion. The thought that all five of my alphas will be able to lie here comfortably—no more punching each other in their sleep—makes me over the moon. I run my fingers over the new sheets and blankets. Baxter must've bought those, too. They're fluffy and silky and beautiful.

So why am I still on edge?

"Omega—" Riley puts her arm around my shoulders. "You're shaking."

"You cold?" Red demands.

I shake my head, my eyes flicking about the room. "Where's the old one?"

They exchange frowns. "The old mattress?" Marcus asks. "Just out in the hall."

It's gone. My nest is … it's different now. Even though I know it's a good change—something I want, desperately, for our pack and our pup—I can't help but feel that loss.

"You want me to bring it back?" Red blurts out. "I can—like, right now, if that's what—"

"No. I'm sorry. It's perfect. I–I'm so happy."

I'm sure the point is somewhat undercut by my tears, no matter how frantically I wipe them away. Red, Riley and Marcus are clearly at a loss, unable to keep up.

Only Baxter's energy remains steady, as he sits himself on the edge of the new bed and takes my hand, pulling me between his legs.

"Here." He holds up his wrist, offering me that rich, hot pulse. "Show me what you need."

That's it ! The sheer scentlessness of this thing is overwhelming.

I take Baxter's hand and guide it down to the mattress. He pushes his scent out, imbuing everything he touches with mulled wine, and instantly I feel more secure.

"Show us, too, baby," Riley says gently.

After making sure Baxter is still on the job, scenting everything he can get his hands on, I pick up a new blanket and practically wrap it around Riley's neck. I need every inch of it drenched in her sweet caramel goodness.

Red and Marcus are next, choosing between the remaining pillows and blankets.

For every item to make the full circuit between Baxter, Riley, Red, and Marcus, someone hands it to me, and I figure out how best to place it in the nest. I don't know how long it takes us—my omega is too fixated on the task at hand—but by the time everything is scented and settled, I can finally loose a breath.

There's only one thing missing. I rummage through the laundry hamper and pull out one of Thorn's shirts. The scent isn't all there, but it's fresh enough to hold me over until he gets back.

"Wow." Red whistles. "That's some damn good work, omega."

Heat fills my cheeks. I venture onto the mattress, getting a feel for its texture, its give.

"Better?" Marcus asks.

I find a spot in the center and cross my legs, smiling. "Better than better. Perfect."

Baxter waits for my approval before climbing in beside me, placing his hand on my stomach. "Pup-approved, huh?"

My heart flutters. Deep in my body, I swear I can feel the little life in there flutter, too.