10. Nora
10
Nora
There are several things that the perfect Omega must do to please her pack.
She must always be the picture of beauty and health because Alphas enjoy nice things to look at.
She must maintain a clean, beautiful home and provide for her Alphas by preparing meals and darning their socks.
She must never whine and guilt her Alphas into sexual or emotional comfort unless she is in heat.
She must strive to please her Alphas every day, in every way, deferring to the Alphas in every instance.
I thought that was me.
I thought I was doing everything I was supposed to do.
But I whined three times.
I didn't make dinner for my Alphas.
And now I'm crying, my face a swollen, red mess. I certainly am not the picture of beauty.
Surprisingly, this nest is much more comfortable and soothing than my nest back at my mother's home, even though it is brand new. I grab the stuffed kitten and my grandmother's blanket and curl up tightly in a ball. The beaded pillows, while not comfortable, feel cool to the touch, and the scratchy texture is nice on my cheek.
I pull hair out of the base of my scalp, counting the strands. I've decided to allow myself ten strands to remove in one pull instead of my normal three. Today was a tough day, and since I upset my Alphas so much, it feels appropriate to endure a bit more pain than normal.
A loud knock on the door is followed by a booming voice. "Little bird, can I come into your nest?"
I giggle at the combination of nickname and nest. What an appropriate nickname Joey has come up with. I wipe my eyes and sit up, clutching my kitten to my chest. I've changed into a pretty nightgown of white satin with a lace trim. Running my fingers through my hair to help it lay better so I can look well put together, I turn to the door. "Yes, you can enter."
He opens the door slowly, cautiously stepping into the room. He whistles. "What a beautiful nest you've built here, birdie."
"You're the first one to see it," I say with a smile. "Thank you for the compliment. The Alphas picked something out for it. Well, Chase didn't, but the other three did."
"About that," Joey says, sitting down on the edge of the round mattress. "I brought something for your nest if that's okay." He ruffles his hair with his large hand sheepishly. "I know I'm not an Alpha, but…"
"That would be more than okay." The Beta is massive, the size of most Alphas, and he has the kindest eyes I've ever seen. His beard is huge, and I really want to run my fingers through it. He's wearing a pair of plaid pajama pants and a white sleeveless shirt, his colorful tattoos on display. Do tattoos feel different than regular skin?
He pulls a palm-sized stuffed bird from his pocket. It's robin's egg blue, with little black eyes and white-tipped feathers. "It's not much, I didn't have a lot of time…"
"Oh, Joey," I say, taking it from his hand. "I love it so very much. Thank you, sir."
He stiffens. "Stop with the sir, Nora."
"I'm sorry, it slips out!"
"It makes me feel like you don't think I'm a member of this family," he says quietly.
I scoot closer to him. He's not an Alpha, so I can't scent match with him, but he still smells so very good. Like clean laundry and wind. "That's not it at all, Joey. Of course, you're a member of the pack." Most packs nowadays don't have Betas. It was done in the past before the Design Clinic was around. So many more Betas were born at the time, so it made sense to add some to packs.
Having a Beta may not be part of the perfect pack, but I quite like Joey.
I need to tell him as much.
"I really enjoy your company," I say quietly. "I am so sorry if I made you feel less than."
He darts his eyes over to me and engulfs my hand with his giant one. "I'm glad you're here, little bird."
"It's just… Omegas need to address their packs with honorifics, that's all. I know you said just Joey, but that's why the sir slips out. Is there anything else I can call you?" I shift uncomfortably.
"Birdie, I don't need an honorific, really. If you slip up and call me sir, I'll try to ignore it, okay?" He sighs heavily, and I feel like his words have more weight than he's willing to share. I won't push, though. "But you can give me a nickname or just call me Joey. Hell, you could even use 'Just ' as my honorific if you really need to. Just Joey."
A very un-Omega laugh escapes me, and I tilt into Joey's shoulder. "Just Joey. Okay, Just. I can do that."
His eyes sparkle at me, and he dips down to kiss the top of my head. It's so comforting and calming that a soft purr escapes my throat.
"Oh!" I exclaim, placing a hand over my chest. "I've never purred before. That's odd."
"What's odd?"
I shift my body uncomfortably, unable to hide my embarrassment. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and pulls me tighter against his side. "When an Omega is very safe and comfortable, or her Alphas are distressed and requiring comfort, she can purr as a way to express satisfaction or provide soothing to an upset Alpha." I look up at Joey, his pretty green eyes crinkled at the corners. "It's my first time purring, and you're not an Alpha, is all."
"And I'm not distressed. In fact, I'd say I'm pretty peachy right now." He taps me on the nose. "It seems to me that you feel safe, little bird."
I think about my nest at home and how it was perfect, but I rarely spent time in it. In contrast to this one, with its offensive colors and odd textures, one would think that this nest would make my skin crawl. Instead, It was the first place I wanted to go when I was upset. I don't know if I ever want to leave it.
"You make me feel comfortable. Thank you, Just Joey."
I wake up in my nest, strips of sunlight diffusing through the pale green drapery I hung from the ceiling, arching across my face.
I am determined that today will be better. It's Sunday, and I don't know if all of the pack will be home, but I hope they are. I am ready to show them exactly what kind of Omega they deserve.
After a quick shower, using only unscented products because Alphas do not want their Omega to hide her scent, I put on a blue dress, the same color as the bird Joey gave me last night. It falls just below my knees and is slightly less structured than the one I wore yesterday since it's going to be a more casual day. The cap sleeves are white lace, and it is just such a darling detail. I can't wait to see how much my Alphas like it.
My long hair gets swept back into a sleek ponytail, and I slip on a pair of nude kitten heels. I don't wear necklaces to allow my Alphas to better scent mark me, but I do put on small pearl earrings. There is a mirror above the sink in my bathroom, and I stand in front of it, hands clasped, for my affirmations.
"I am the Perfect Omega. I bring value to my pack. My Alphas know what's best for me and will keep me safe. I am the Perfect Omega. I am blessed to have the perfect Alphas. I will serve my Alphas and take care of them in all that I do."
I've been repeating these affirmations every morning since I was six years old, and I really do think they make a difference and help guide my behavior each day.
When I open the door to head downstairs, I immediately smell coffee and hear all the men chatting away in the kitchen. How late did I sleep? I'll have to learn all of their sleep schedules so I can make sure I wake up at least an hour before them.
I didn't get a great look at it last night, but the kitchen is gorgeous. It's a gourmet chef's kitchen with white marble countertops, sleek black appliances, and a deep farmhouse sink. The walls are a neutral light gray throughout the whole house, but the kitchen has a bright red backsplash. I can see Chase's influence all over it. I long to open the white cabinets and see what he's got stashed away in there.
Joey is the first one to greet me when I enter the kitchen. "Morning, little bird. You look lovely." He steps close to me and kisses my cheek. "Why are you all dressed up?"
"This?" I say, looking down at my dress. "This is my casual dress since I assumed you all would like to spend the day at the house." I look at the pack, all of them in various states of dress. Joey is still in his pajamas that he wore last night, Chase is just wearing a pair of jeans, and Levi has on cotton shorts and a gray sweater. Nolan is wearing a pair of athletic shorts and no shirt, and Blaine is just in a pair of boxers. I avert my eyes when I notice.
"If you decide you'd like me to leave the home with you, I'll put on a more appropriate dress."
Levi stands up and pulls me into a gentle hug. "Would you go put on the smiley lounge clothes I picked out for you? I'd like to see you in them."
His leather and spice scent swirls around me and makes my mouth water slightly. My brain feels a bit fuzzy, so I don't speak; I just nod and head back up the stairs to change into the clothing Levi requested.
When I return, he pats the stool next to him, and I sit. "If any of you have a request for clothing you'd like to see me in, please let me know. It's an honor as your Omega to dress to your desires."
Blaine starts coughing in the middle of his sip of coffee, and Joey silently hands him a paper towel.
"Are you okay, Alpha Blaine?"
"Just fine, honey, just fine," he mutters, shaking his head. "You want a cup of coffee?"
"Oh, no, thank you. Omegas don't drink coffee. Caffeine is addicting, and an addict is not an appropriate Omega." I stand and move into the kitchen, noticing Chase steps widely out of the way so as not to come close to me.
I'm not sure why he doesn't want to be close to me. I haven't even scented him yet. It's upsetting, but I have to put on a brave face. When my Alpha is ready for me, he will let me know.
Picking up the coffee pot, I do my best to give a winning Omega smile. It feels odd in lounge clothing, but at least I know my attire makes my Alpha happy. "Can I top off anyone's cup?"
The men exchange glances like they're having a conversation without words. After a beat, Nolan smiles up at me. "I'd love some, Nora. Thank you." I top off his and Blaine's mugs, but Joey, Levi, and Chase say they don't need any.
"I'm unsure what you all have planned for the day, but if you don't have anything specific in mind, I have a few ideas," I say hesitantly. It's quite early for me to dictate the pack schedule, but I think the pack would enjoy my idea. It will give me the opportunity to show them just how good of an Omega I am.
"We don't have any plans, no," Nolan says with a smile. "What did you have in mind, sweet thing?"
"I am just so grateful to you all for welcoming me into your pack, so I'd like to show my gratitude." I return the carafe of coffee to its warming plate and then turn around to address the pack. "I would like to offer to clean the whole home, top to bottom, while you all go out and enjoy the beautiful weather. You would come home to a multi-course dinner that I will prepare for you. After dinner, if you're amenable to it, I could play some violin for you all."
It's very quiet in the kitchen. They all stare at me, even Chase.
It takes a long time for anyone to say anything, and I hold my breath as I wait for their responses.
Levi breaks the silence. "That is a very kind offer, Nora," he says gently. "But I think it would make us uncomfortable if we had a relaxing day and you spent the whole time working."
"Oh, it's not work! It's my responsibility as your Omega," I reply happily.
"Fucking insanity," Chase mutters under his breath. I don't think he intended me to hear it, but I do, and I flinch automatically.
Blaine notices. "Chase cut it out," he hisses. "Honey, how about we skip the cleaning and spend the day together, but you can still make us dinner?"
"And definitely play the violin," Nolan says. "Also, I want to smell the wax." His grin is wide, and I giggle. He slips behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. My body freezes momentarily, but I quickly relax into his hold. He scents the crook of my neck, and, this close, I can smell him as well. "I wanna know what I smell like."
"Sounds like a plan," Joey says in that big, booming voice of his.
"She's not cooking," Chase barks. My body tenses, and I feel a growl rumbling in Nolan's chest. Instinctually, I begin to purr to calm my Alpha.
"Oh, sweetie," he says, spinning me around to face him. "You purred for me."
"You seemed distressed."
"Thank you, Omega." His words are gentle and reverent, and for the first time, I feel like I truly pleased one of my Alphas. He kisses my forehead, and I sigh, leaning into his chest.
Blaine stands up, and out of the corner of my eye, I can see him approach Chase. "She's going to cook, and you're going to shut up and eat it."
"I'm not going to deal with this, I'll go to the restaurant." Chase clanks his mug into the sink and starts to leave.
Nolan steps away from me and whispers, "Please put your hands over your ears, Omega." I nod and do as requested.
I'm glad I did because as soon as he sees I've covered my ears, Nolan barks loudly. It's the type of bark only a pack leader is capable of. "Get back here, Chase. You will stay. You will allow our Omega the opportunity to show her gratitude."
Chase's body tenses, and he spins on his heel and returns to the kitchen. With effort, he grits out, "Fine."