Chapter 49
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
FLYNN
It's been a few days since our group date, and I still can't believe how comfortable I'm becoming here—how easily I'm slipping into life with them. That I’m no longer jumping when they come in the room, or when they touch me. My connection with Sasha is easy. Maybe because she killed two of the fuckers who made my life hell in front of me. Or it could be since she isn’t an alpha, I don’t find her as threatening.
The anxiety that once clung to me like a second skin is beginning to fade, peeling away in layers with each moment I spend with them, getting closer. For the first time in forever, I’m somewhere that feels like home. I feel safe. It’s something I never thought I’d have. And it’s still hard for me to believe that I have it.
But my heat is approaching, and that's the only thing keeping me on edge now. My body hums with restless anticipation as my omega instincts take over, guiding my actions and feelings. My heart swelled last night, when they finally showed me the room they had made for my nest. The walls are a soft, warm pale green, the color of a Granny Smith apple, with deep emerald accents weaving through it. In the center, pressed against the wall, is a massive pillow—just as large as an Alaskan king mattress with a few fluffy pillows tossed onto it.
“Where did you even find this?” I asked Levi with awe as I gestured toward the pillow.
He smiled, his golden eyes warm with quiet amusement. “I have connections,” he added with a cocky smirk that had my cock straining against my zipper.
The nest is amazing. But it’s not complete. It still doesn’t feel quite like it is mine. Sasha promised to take me shopping later to get the final touches. That works out perfect for me—it gives me time to move through the house, searching for pieces of them to weave into my nest. To fill my space with their scent.
Luck is on my side, as they’re all out of the house for the next few hours, giving me ample time to make my move. Not that they’re far away, just outside in the yard. I don’t think any of them plan to leave me alone for too long for the foreseeable future.
First is Stone’s room. I hesitate for a moment at his door, my hand on the handle as I have second thoughts about what I’m about to do. My instincts take over and I carefully turn the knob, pushing the door open and step inside his room. His scent is heavier, deep and grounding, like woods and smoke. I find it odd at first, seeing how he’s been here less time than Levi, but maybe it’s because we made such a deep connection at the lake, or he spends more time in his room. Whatever the reason, it calms the restless energy stirring beneath my skin. I find one of his hoodies hanging on the chair at his desk and pick it up, holding it close. I can’t stop myself from smiling as I fight the urge to put it on.
Levi and Sasha’s room is next. His scent—warm and rich, leather and bourbon—wraps around me as soon as I step inside his room. The space is tidy, which surprises me, not something you expect from a biker, but it still feels like him. His cut is carefully folded and placed on top of his dresser, and his leather boots sit in the corner. I step over to his bed and pick up a shirt that is thrown haphazardly on the bed. Lifting it to my nose, I inhale deeply before clutching it to my chest. It will do. It reeks of him, and my omega loves it.
Sasha’s closet is my last stop. I step inside carefully, as if entering sacred ground. Her scent, an intoxicating mix of coconut and lime, one that’s settled deep within my soul. It’s familiar and comforting. I hesitate briefly, letting her scent wrap around me, before moving toward her dresser. I open the drawer, letting my fingers skim over her clothing, but these are all clean, and smell of detergent and nothing like her. I move across the space to her hamper, and there, lying crumpled on the top, is her pajamas—a silky pair of shorts and a matching tank. My fingers skim over the fabric before I carefully pick it up, adding it to my growing pile.
Then my eyes catch on something else. Something that calls to my omega with far more passion than just clothing.
A unicorn stuffie sits perched on the top shelf, its plush form worn with love. I know, without being told, that it’s special to her. And yet… I still reach for it, my fingers brushing over its fur. I swallow hard before carefully tucking it under my arm. It smells like her and I want it. No, I need it.
With my goodies within my grasp, my body hums with happiness. I retreat to my nest, spreading the clothing and the stuffie across the massive pillow before crawling onto it. Wrapping my prizes around me like a blanket, cocooning myself in their scents, I let out a soft sigh of contentment. The tension I’ve been carrying drains from my muscles, and before I know it, sleep pulls me under her peaceful wing. Dreams of Levi, Stone and Sasha dance in my head.
* * *
My eyes flutter open to darkness. There’s a soft glow from the corner lamp, casting a golden hue across the dark emerald coloring of the walls, giving the space a dreamy, sacred feel.
When did I turn it on?
My body is enveloped by the familiar scents of my pack—Stone’s worn hoodie, Levi’s shirt, Sasha’s soft pajamas and stuffie. They’re all wrapped around me like protective layers, grounding me. Her unicorn is nestled beneath my head like a pillow. I inhale deeply, breathing in the faint hint of Sasha’s vanilla shampoo. I tighten my arms around it and let my eyes close again for a second. This space, this pile of blankets, pillows, clothes—it’s more than a nest. It’s home.
I stretch slightly, the oversized pillow beneath me molding to my shape. My heat is close—I can feel the buzzing anticipation beneath my skin—but for now, I let myself relish this serenity before the haze takes over.
Somewhere outside the room, I hear muffled voices. A soft clatter. Laughter. The scent of garlic and herbs wafts into the space, teasing my senses. I wipe the sleep from my eyes and sit up slowly, my fingers brushing over the clothes draped around me one last time. A small smile curls on my lips as I press a kiss to the unicorn’s fuzzy head before gently setting it aside and getting up. It’s perfect, just like Sasha.
My feet touch the soft, shaggy carpet and I make my way toward the door, longing to see the people waiting beyond it.
Levi and Stone stand in the kitchen, their backs to me as they prepare something on the stove. Stone glances over his shoulder at me first, his dark eyes softening when he sees me.
“Hey, Sweet Boy.” His deep voice fills the air as he smiles seductively at me.
I can’t stop myself from crossing the room, pressing my body into his warmth. He wraps his arms around me, pressing a kiss to my temple. I’m so focused on Stone that I don’t even realize Levi has joined us—at least, not until Stone gently passes me to him. Levi holds me just as eagerly, his touch grounding in a whole different way.
It’s still so surreal to me how easily I’m melting into their embrace. How quickly they’ve taught me the feeling of true love.
“I’m going to kill you, Levi!” Sasha’s voice shrieks from the other room as I hear her feet pounding against the floor.
Her furious voice makes us all jump, and a second later she’s storming into the kitchen, her eyes blazing with anger.
Levi stiffens at her frenzied form. “What?”
“Where is it?” she demands, stopping right in front of us, her arms crossed across her chest as she taps her foot on the floor.
“Where’s what?” Levi asks again with a raised brow, genuine confusion in his tone.
“You know what I’m talking about,” she seethes. “You know my mom gave that to me—it’s special.”
Levi holds his hands up in the air. “I didn’t take anything, Sasha. I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
My eyes go wide. My breath hitches, and suddenly, my limbs feel like lead. She’s missing something and I have it. She’s going to hate me.
Sasha’s gaze darts over to me, and immediately her expression softens. “Flynn… it’s okay.” Her voice is gentle now. “I was yelling at Levi, not you. I’m sorry if I upset you.”
Upset me? She’s worried about me and I’m the thief who stole her stuffie. Why? All because of my stupid omega hormones. Guilt claws at my insides. I could pretend I don’t know anything. Hide her stuffie and pray she never finds out. But I can’t do that. I take a shaky breath, my chest tightening as I decide to confess my wrongdoing. “No… I—” My voice cracks. “I’m so sorry.”
Without another word, I turn and bolt from the kitchen, racing back to my nest. I snatch up the stuffie, clutching it to my chest one last time before turning around.
But it’s not an empty doorway I see. They’re all standing there, watching me.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper softly, as I hold the stuffie out to her.
Sasha’s face softens even more, understanding dawning in her eyes as they glance over my nest. The evidence of my earlier thievery is apparent as their eyes see their clothes scattered across it.
“Oh,” she breathes, a knowing smile on her face. “You took my stuffie. You wanted it with you.”
“It smells like you,” I admit softly, my cheeks burning from embarrassment.
For a moment, she doesn’t say anything. Then, to my surprise, she steps forward, placing a hand gently on my arm. “You can keep it.”
I shake my head. “No, I?—”
“We’ll share it,” she interrupts my protest, her smile warm. “Okay?”
Emotion swells in my chest, and I nod slowly, pressing the stuffie close. “Okay.”
“Now that we’ve got that solved, dinner’s ready.” Stone’s deep voice breaks the moment, causing us all to laugh.