18. Kellen

Chapter 18

Kellen

M y chest swells with pride as I watch Brody lead Ella up the stairs, and it looks as if all my hard work is about to pay off.

Finally, I can show my Omegas that I am a change alpha. That I will never let them down again.

Even better, I get to rub it in Alastor’s smug face.

He hasn’t stopped smiling since I came downstairs, stroking and carrying that cat like a typical villain.

The cat glares at me and when I growl, it hisses, showing me its tiny fangs.

That little ball of fur is going to be a menace, and it’s the last thing we all need.

Now Alastor has an evil accomplice, even if he is a cute one.

Yeah, well, my nest is better than any cat…

I will show him.

As we reach the top of the stairs, I push forth, wanting to be the one to show Ella her new nest.

My blood, sweat, and tears went into these four walls, and she is going to love it.

I stop at the door, gasping for breath.

My hair is covered in sawdust, and I have barely had time to brush it.

That’s how much Ella means to me now. So much to the point that I have forsaken my hair.

“You excited, Ella?” I ask.

Darn, I really do need to work on giving her a nickname.

Ella is a beautiful name, but Alastor has already started calling her doll.

So, what can I call her?

She glances at Brody. He smiles, squeezing her hand. “Well, go on. It’s your nest.”

She bites her lip, and that action alone has me and Alastor stirring. There’s no missing the arousal in his eyes, and I have to angle my hips slightly so she doesn’t see my growing erection.

“Yes, but I want you with me, Brody.”

His grin widens, and it showcases his dimples. “Of course. I want to experience this moment with you.”

They truly are precious. They complete each other, and they don’t even need me, Alastor, or Theo.

And that very thought terrifies me. No matter what, I have to convince them that I can be the Alpha they deserve.

With a deep breath, I push the door open, and both omegas gaze in astonishment.

“Wow,” Brody gasps.

Ella hasn’t blinked once, and I can’t help but gush with pride as I peer over at Alastor, puffing out my chest.

He just raises a brow, stroking his evil sidekick in his arms, and that will show him.

He may act nonchalant, but I know this is killing him…

Nothing can top a nest. Especially this nest.

Brody steps into the room, peering around in wonder. He draws a gasp when he spies the large, walk-in closet.

I transformed the old tiny one, the one where Ella used to sleep. It was far too cramped and needed a renovation.

“What in the…?” Brody whispers.

I grin. “That’s right.”

Brody looks at me. “It’s huge. Is this what all that drilling and hammering was about?”

“And don’t forget the shit singing and all the cursing, too,” Alastor adds, and I snap my teeth at him.

The cat hisses.

“Yes. I thought Ella needed a new nest.” I shrug.

She blinks, jerking her head around at me in surprise.“Wait… that is the nest?"

My smile stretches. “Yes.”

The room is still the same. The bed is there and the small bathroom, but I decided that the closet needed the upgrade.

It's where Ella always felt safest.

She steps toward the closet, peeking inside. “Oh my god…”

Again, I glance at Alastor. He yawns in a bored fashion, and the cat does the same, closing its eyes.

Well, if they don’t like it, they can just leave.

Ella beams. “It’s huge!”

I snort, gesturing down to my crotch. “It sure is…”

The Omegas completely miss the euphemism as they step into the nest, and Alastor shakes his head at me.

“Nice.”

“Fuck you!” I growl.

His cat sidekick hisses yet again, and I show my teeth.

Alastor and I hear the sound of giggling next, and we both step forward to peer into the nest.

Both Omegas have dived onto the floor/bed, and I hope they realize it’s the bed they slept in at the store.

Except I had it built into the floor.

Because I’m good like that.

Brody glances at me. “This is the perfect bed!”

It sure is. The perfect bed for the perfect Omega.

“I’m sure Ella and I will wear these springs out in no time.”

I deflate.

A part of me had hoped that I would be a part of the equation.

I guess it is still too soon.

Ella is still hurting. There’s no missing it in her big, soulful eyes.

The bed sinks into the floor and nearly encompasses the nest/closet. I even installed skylights so we would all have a spotlight.

They can be dimmed too, whichever setting she prefers.

There are no personal effects in the room yet. They wait in bags in the room outside.

I wanted to leave that up to her.

She can decorate any way she sees fit.

Ella and Brody get under the blankets, and soon they disappear from sight. They squirm around below, and their sweet Omega giggles keep doing things to my knot.

It swells in my pants, and I have to angle my body away again.

Brody’s head pops up next, and my heart thumps in excitement.

“You can shut the door now, Kellen.”

Oh. Okay.

I guess they want to be alone then. I don’t even see Ella’s expression as she is hidden beneath the blankets, and if it’s what she wants…

Alastor is just about to say something smart before Brody interrupts. “You can leave the cat, Alastor.”

The Alpha’s grin vanishes, and for the first time, his face cracks.

He sighs, dropping the cat to the ground. It rushes straight to the bed, its little bell tinkling all the way, and I hate that cat.

“As you wish, Omegas,” Alastor replies.

“Now shut the door. And the door to the room, too. We will call you later when we’re ready, Alastor. Since you won the challenge at the store, you get the honor of joining us tonight.”

Alastor’s shit-eating grin returns, and he’s a smug bastard once again. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Now shoo, both of you.”

With a sigh, I shut the door to the nest I spent the better half of two weeks building to her liking.

At least she likes it, I guess. That’s all that matters.

Even if I don’t get to be a part of it.

Before I shut the door, I catch sight of the cat.

He's kneading his claws into the bed, a satisfied expression on his face as his small purring fills the nest, and at least there will be some purring in that nest for the time being.

Just not from an Alpha.

Not from me.

Alastor and I leave them be, and when we shut the door to the room, we fall silent.

Well, I guess they both made their minds up.

They don’t want us. At least not right now.

I guess there’s more work I need to do.

One way or another, I will gain back her trust.

I will regain both of their trust.

Alastor whistles and then walks away, and at least he gets to spend the night with them.

Well, there’s nothing else for me to do but offer them space.

Even if I am dying inside.