17. Nora
17
Nora
I set my alarm for five in the morning. At this point, I think I've figured out the Alphas' routine, and Nolan came to get me at six thirty yesterday. I want to beat him downstairs today.
Our day together yesterday was so much fun. I didn't know exercise could be so enjoyable, and the music was unlike anything I had ever heard before. Spending the rest of the day with him curled up in a blanket and watching all of his favorite movies was a perfect way to end the day. I feel like I learned so much about him just by being near him. Sure, we talked, asked questions, and learned about one another's lives, but it was the time we spent together in silence that told me all I needed to know about this Alpha.
Nolan Sloane is patient.
It's becoming clear that my Alphas don't seem to mind if I'm not in my dresses, so I gather the courage to wear the black jeans Blaine picked out for me and the lemon-yellow shirt. It's a lovely color, even if it is too bright for Omegas.
I think it's something that I will choose for Nora, not for Nora the Omega.
Heading out of my room, I nearly trip over something right at the threshold. I pick up a medium-sized box and bring it into my room. Inside is a soft-cover book. I flip it over to read the title: "Knot Just Heat: Exploring The Complex Dynamics of an Alpha/Omega Relationship."
My face warms, and I'm glad no one is around to see me receiving this gift. But it does appear to be very useful. I carry it into the nest so I can read over it this evening. As I grab the box to take it to recycling, I hear a rattling inside. A small bee night light is shoved into the corner. It's an adorable little bumblebee with a round bottom, and when I plug it in, the whole light glows yellow.
I don't know who gave this to me, but I wish I did so I could thank them properly. It's absolutely adorable and a very sweet contribution to my nest.
The delay caused by the gifts does not slow me down too terribly, and I make it downstairs before any of the men. I brew a pot of coffee for them and make myself a mug of herbal tea before pulling out some eggs, cheese, and green onion from the fridge. Then, I get to work making a large omelet for my pack.
Just as I'm folding it over, a throat clears behind me.
"Sweetheart, good morning," Nolan says. I turn to him, beaming, with the skillet in my hands.
"Good morning, Alpha! I wanted to make sure you had coffee and breakfast to start your day." I slide the large omelet onto a platter and cut a piece off for Nolan. I add half of a bagel with cream cheese smeared on it and pour coffee into a mug for him.
He sits at the island in front of me and takes the plate, a soft smile on his face. He's still got lines from his pillowcase on his cheeks, but even that does not take away from how handsome he is. He's got a very kind face, and despite his muscular build and buzzed haircut, he still manages to look gentle and sweet.
I think I have a crush on my Alpha.
"Do you take your coffee black or with sugar and cream? I suppose I should know that by now, huh?" A blush coats my cheeks, not wholly because I don't know his coffee order. No, something about the way his dark eyes track my every movement heats my skin.
"How could you know something I've never told you?" he responds, taking a sip of the hot liquid. "But I like it black, thanks for asking."
I walk around the island, and something compels me to give him a kiss, so I do. He snakes his arm around my waist to keep me pressed against him. "This was very kind of you to do for me, Nora," he says quietly.
"You're pleased?"
"Very." He grabs my chin, and despite the fact that he's sitting and I'm standing, our faces are nearly even, allowing him to return my kiss easily. This time, when he spreads his lips slightly, deepening the kiss, I follow his lead and mimic the movement. His hand moves from my chin to my cheek, and he pulls my body closer to him. It's a comfortable kiss, curling warmth in my belly and making me feel right at home. His rosin scent fills my nose, overwhelming me with desire for him, and my throat vibrates with a whine.
I can feel his smile against my lips. "What a good girl you are for me, Omega. I love hearing you whine," he murmurs. My knees go weak, and I nearly collapse against him.
"Well, good morning to you both," Levi says with a chuckle, entering the kitchen. I pull away from Nolan and smooth my hands over my shirt.
"Good morning, Alpha! I've got coffee and breakfast ready for you."
I prepare a plate for Levi, and learn he likes sugar, no cream, in his coffee. He's dressed for school in a pair of gray slacks and an ivory button-up shirt with a blue blazer on top. His hair is still wet but has been combed flat. "You look handsome, Alpha," I tell him as he begins to eat his breakfast.
"Thank you, Nora. You look lovely. I like that shade on you," he replies between bites.
"Thank you! I love this color. I think I should wear it more often."
Nolan finishes his food and places his plate in the dishwasher, kissing me again before he leaves for the day. Levi eats quickly and bids me goodbye with a kiss on the cheek and a tight hug.
I lean against the counter, dazed, my heart feeling so full. They both seemed so happy with me this morning. I'm glad I got up early. This was such a nice way to start my day.
I don't expect the other men to get up this early two days in a row, so I store the rest of the food I made in a glass container in the refrigerator and wash the dishes I used. There is a smart home device in the kitchen, so I ask it to play some of the music we listened to at the gym yesterday. It's such fun music that I can't help but dance and sing along with it.
I'm bouncing around the house, folding blankets, sweeping, and just tidying the place up. I spin with the broom in my hand and come face to face with Joey and Blaine. Joey is massive, tall, broad, and thick around the middle. It's hard to resist throwing myself into his comfortable arms every time I see him, but I still have some decorum.
Next to Joey, Blaine looks small, even though he really isn't. Despite not being as tall as Joey, he still towers over me. He's got a casual, lean physique, and his olive-toned skin is a bit pale like he doesn't go out in the sun much. Blaine is wearing black jeans, boots, and a black shirt. With his dark hair and eyes and that lecherous grin, he's the type of Alpha that I was told to avoid if I wanted to keep my heart intact.
So why is it that everything about him sets my heart fluttering?
"You look like you're having fun," Blaine says over the music.
I blush, pushing sweaty hair from my eyes. "I was just tidying up."
"He doesn't mean the cleaning, little bird," Joey says, leaning against the island. "You're a good dancer."
"Oh, I don't think so. I was just… I had a lot of fun at the class with Alpha Nolan yesterday." I call out for the speaker to drop the volume a few measures before resting the broom against the counter.
Blaine touches my cheek, tilting my face up to his. "You don't need to explain yourself. I loved watching you dance around just now. You looked happy." He kisses my forehead. "Are you ready for our day?"
"Sure thing! But first, I did make breakfast for everyone. I just need to warm up the omelet for you two." I rush into the kitchen and prepare their plates, brewing a fresh pot of coffee for them. Joey drinks his black, and Blaine puts an obscene amount of cream and sugar in his.
"Question, honey," Blaine asks through a full mouth. "Do you like cooking, or is that what Omegas do?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you didn't have a pack, would you still prepare meals like this for yourself?"
What an interesting question. I have to think about it, and I lean my elbow on the counter and rest my head in my hand. After a moment, I nod. "Omegas need to eat certain foods for our general well being, so I cook some things for you all that I wouldn't normally cook, but I have always enjoyed being in the kitchen. It was my favorite part of my Omega training."
Topping off Joey's coffee, I add. "Cooking is a way of speaking without words. I can arrange ingredients in a way that tells a story or conveys a mood. Baking is a science, an analytical thought process that scratches an itch in my brain to keep things orderly and calculated." I clear both of their plates and begin to hand wash them. "But cooking a meal for someone is a way of showing them how much you care about them. I can give you a meal that includes things you love, and when I put it in front of you, it shows how much I thought of you."
For some reason, my eyes are clouding with tears. I shake my head, clearing the emotion from my voice. "Anyways, yes, I, Nora, like to cook."
Joey has a massive smile on his face, but his eyes are looking over my shoulder. I turn around and see Alpha Chase frozen in the middle of the archway leading into the kitchen.