Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
Delilah
My heart pounds as I take in the space.
I walk straight into a small, snug area with deep sofas, but it’s the door beyond that, which leads into the heart of the nest, that captures my attention.
It’s painted in a warm orange, illuminated by soft golden lights.
A humongous bed with heavy drapes stands in the center, with peach-colored fabric hanging across the ceiling to look like waves.
As I pay more attention to the lights, I realize that they’re shaped like tiny butterflies.
This isn’t just a nest—it’s a whole freaking floor.
A door beyond the main nest leads out onto a balcony that overlooks the forest, only making the inside seem cozier. Like downstairs, there’s a fireplace here too, but it’s not burning, surrounded by a sea of unlit candles.
“Woah…” I gasp. Here they come again. The tears. “This is…”
“You hate it, don’t you?” Jagger’s caramel scent begins to char. “Fuck. We can change anything you don’t like.”
“Is it the colors?” Tae asks. “I wasn’t sure whether to go with something more neutral.”
“Is it too cold?” Nash questions, ever the practical one.
“It’s not that.” I turn to face my alphas, my vision swimming. “This nest… It’s everything I could have ever wanted. I’ve never seen a nest split across different rooms before.”
“We thought you might want a separate chill out space, then the main area, and a bathroom, obviously.”
Omega nesting instincts are baked into our DNA. Ever since I was a little girl, long before I knew for sure that I’d even present as an omega, I envisioned what my perfect nest would look like. “This is better than anything I could’ve imagined or wished for.”
“Are you sure?” Jagger chews his inner cheek. “We can change anything.”
“It’s perfect. Thank you.” I smile so wide, my cheeks hurt. “All of you.”
I let out a gentle groan as my toes disappear into the thick carpet. It feels like walking on a cloud. Tae moves to follow me when Nash’s arm shoots out to grab his shoulder and yank him back.
“Wait!” Nash growls.
“Oh, shit.” Tae’s face falls. “I’m so sorry, Delilah. I forgot. I’ve never been inside am omega’s nest before. I forgot it was rude to—”
“It’s okay.” I hold out my hand. It’s up to an omega to give people permission to enter their sacred space. “I want you to come inside. All of you.” As I move deeper into the nest, I catch hints of their scents, already steeped into the fabrics. “You already scent marked the room?”
“If you don’t like it, we can take the items away,” Jagger quickly replies.
“I love it.” I select a cushion from a nearby sofa, raising it to my face to rub my cheek against it, inhaling Tae’s rich espresso scent.
“You haven’t seen the best part yet.” Tae claps gleefully. “Show her, Nash!”
Nash moves to a panel on the wall then presses a button. The lights dim, and a mammoth circular sun painted on the ceiling begins to move. With a mechanical tick, the panel shifts back to reveal a large round window, offering the perfect view of the starry sky directly above the bed.
“Whoa…” I gape at it. “You made that?”
Nash shrugs. “I’m good at making things.”
“It’s stunning.” I stare up into the inky sky. “This is all… too much.”
“Delilah.” Nash takes my hand, his palm rough against mine. “You’re our scent match. Nothing will ever be enough for you.”
At his words, my tears finally spill over. “S-s-sorry.” I sob. “This is just everything I’ve ever wanted. I never thought I’d even find a pack that wanted me.”
“We’re the lucky ones, cookie.” Tae pulls me into his protective embrace, holding me close until my breathing returns to normal.
“Sorry, I’m being silly.”
“You better get used to being treated right.” Jagger winks at me. “Because we’re never going to stop spoiling you.”
“Why don’t you explore?” Tae squeezes my shoulder in a gentle nudge of encouragement.
I spin around, letting an elated giggle escape my mouth as I throw myself on the bed.
I bounce against the soft mattress before I sit up, having momentarily forgotten that I have company and see the three guys watching me with desire-filled gazes.
The atmosphere instantly shifts from euphoric to sexually charged as I smell their arousal. But I can’t just leap on them. Right?
I return to the nest living area before I’m too tempted by those sexy faces. Next to the plush sofa, I take a closer look at some items on the shelves that they’ve tucked away.
“You got me more gifts?” My eyes widen. “You didn’t have to—”
“It’s our job to treat you,” Nash insists.
I lean closer to inspect the items. “Smutty books?” I arch an eyebrow as I move my finger along the spines. “How did you know?”
A faint flush creeps up Nash’s neck. “On the first night we met, I saw the book you had.”
“I haven’t read any of these yet.” I stand on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
“They all came out this month,” Nash mumbles. “I had to get The Pleasure Pages to order them in especially.”
My heart swells at knowing he went through that much effort. Despite him claiming that he’s not good at this whole courting thing, he’s a natural.
“And this?” I pick up an ornately beaded notebook with thick paper. “It’s so pretty.”
“I thought you might like to write some of your recipes in there,” Jagger responds.
“And a record player?” My eyes wander to the gorgeous redwood player.
Jagger gestures at it. “I remember you saying that music always sounds better on vinyl.”
“You remembered.” I stroke the side of the player. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”
“What’s in the box is from me.” Tae points to a large trunk on the floor. “I may not be an alpha biologically programmed to provide, but I sure as hell want to make you smile.”
Inside are dozens of board games.
“I thought you’d like something fun to do.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “On our first date, you mentioned that you liked games so…”
“I love it.” I pull out Chutes and Ladders. “This was my favorite when I was a kid.”
“We can play…?” Tae winks, the glint in his eyes causing my nipples to harden. “I know it’s a basic game, but I’ve made up some new rules.”
“A nest isn’t the place for kids’ board games,” Nash tsks.
“Maybe we should listen to Tae’s rules first?” Jagger suggests with a smirk.
“Okay, so…” Tae’s voice rises an octave higher. “We play like normal, but if you go down a chute, you remove one item of clothing. If you go up a ladder, you can put one back on.”
“How many other games do you have a spicy twist for?” I ask, playfully scowling at him.
Tae bats his thick eyelashes innocently. “Every single one in the chest.”
“Fine.” I close the door to the heart of the nest. “Let’s play.”
My head is still fuzzy from the amazing cocktails, shedding some of my inhibitions as he lays out the board. We sit close together—Nash’s knee rubs against mine, while the heat from Jagger’s body radiates against my side.
“Omegas first.” Nash hands me the dice.
Need buzzes through me when our fingers brush. In this space, surrounded by nothing but our scents and no distractions, I’m pleased that I have the board to look at.
“Not another sock back on!” Jagger groans as I slide my left sock back on for the third time. So far, the game has only resulted in the removal of a few jackets and footwear. “Your rules suck, Tae!”
“Don’t you like my ankles?” I rotate my foot teasingly.
“I love every inch of you.” Jagger’s eyes flash hungrily, “But if I have to see another part covered up, I’ll—”
“Fine!” Tae throws up his hands. “New rule! No putting clothes back on.”
“How about we play another game?” Nash grumbles, looking like he’s considering snapping the board in two after being sent down the same chute for the third time.
“Let’s see what else we have.” Tae digs around in the trunk. “How about Twister?”
“Twister?” I burst out laughing. The thought of seeing Nash bent into funny positions is definitely something I want to see one day.
Nash groans, putting a hand to his forehead.
“How about something that doesn’t require a board?” Jagger suggests. “Something simple like Truth or Dare. If you choose to skip a turn, you have to remove two items of clothing.”
“I’m down,” I say.
The others nod in agreement as Nash happily packs up the game, and Tae finds a bottle of heat-enhancing lube nestled on a nearby shelf to spin that’ll dictate who starts.
“Are you sure you’re not fixing it?” I ask as the spinning bottle expertly lands on me.
“It’s pure chance!” Tae declares. “Truth or dare?”
I’m extra aware of all three sets of eyes on me. “Dare.”
“I dare you to kiss whoever the lube lands on next.” Tae spins it again. It lands on him. “Oh, look at that.”
“No fair!” Jagger pouts.
“I’m spinning next time,” Nash harrumphs.
“Rules are rules!” Tae shrugs. “Are you accepting the dare or picking the penalty?”
“I’ll take the dare.”
I crawl over to him on my knees.
“Shit,” Tae rasps. “You crawling toward me is so freaking hot.”
“My view is pretty good from here too,” Jagger mumbles, getting the full view of my ass.
I lean in and kiss him, starting soft then getting more passionate. I’m aware of the others watching, my skin prickling under the heat of their stares. The last time I was intimate with Tae and Nash, I’d been in the throes of a heat spike, guided by instinct. This is different, yet also… exciting.
I pull away, breathless. “That’s your turn done.”
“Let’s get back to the game,” Nash’s voice is a sexy growl, his Southern accent getting more pronounced when he’s turned-on.
Jagger is adjusting his pants as I return to my spot, apprehension sprinting through me as he takes his turn to spin the bottle next. It lands on him.
“Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“Why are you still in Pack Fire if you hate your bandmates?” I ask.