Chapter 31
chapter
thirty-one
If shopping were Jonah’s idea—or even Avery’s—I would not be shocked.
But when Spencer issues three no-nonsense knocks to my bedroom door and announces that we’re going out to furnish the nest…
Well.
He does not seem like the sort of alpha I should argue with.
So I put on one of the simpler ensembles in my new Tristan-approved wardrobe and hope it isn’t too fancy or too slutty.
I didn’t pick the clothes, so I know I shouldn’t feel guilty about whatever they do or do not reveal… but some deep-seated part of me whispers that my scent is already alluring enough. I don’t need these black jeans to be so tight or the deep-V cut of this black blouse.
The fact that I actually like the sleek, sexy clothes only makes it worse, somehow. Because… of course I like them. These are exactly the sort of fancy clothes a silly little slut like me would like, aren’t they?
Not wanting the guys to tower over me any more than necessary, I strap on a pair of platform heels and pray I don’t look ridiculous. One glance in the mirror hanging beside the Omega Suite’s door tells me that my prayers have once again been forwarded to voicemail.
I cringe at my makeup-less face and limp hair. Tristan’s personal shopper may have been able to source all the clothes I could ever need, but I really do need to grab my usual beauty supplies if I don’t want to look like a hot mess.
For all his scowling, Spencer does seem like the only sane, rational person around here, sometimes. He informs all of us that we’re heading to a store that will have all the practical things I need. Namely, toiletries and “proper” nesting supplies.
It definitely doesn’t feel romantic or even emotional, but as we ride over, I begin to suspect this might be his unique brand of care-taking.
He certainly seems concerned with my well-being, checking his Volvo’s rearview mirror every thirteen seconds. Jonah fills the gaps in conversation, giving us a play-by-play of his practice while he sprawls next to me in the back, taking up more than half of the seat between us with his massive body. Avery sits in the passenger seat, glaring at the radio every time a new pop song comes on.
On the other side of the sedan’s tinted window, I watch the world slip by. It was one of my favorite things to do, as a kid, but I haven’t driven around during the day in years . Wally always fetched me for the club after dark and usually brought me home before the sun came up .
The pack townhouse is in Orlando’s historic downtown area. I watch it give way to the suburbs—larger, grander homes and pristine lawns. There are lakes and fountains and parks and gardens. When we drive past one particularly pretty patch of flora, I press my fingertips into the cool glass.
For the first time since we left the house, Spencer speaks, interrupting my musings. “Serena, where would you prefer to go for nesting supplies? As I understand it, there are two popular stores. Do you have a preference?”
I feel like a deer in headlights, unsure how to answer or admit I’ve never been to a nesting store. But Jonah goes to work, typing away at his phone until he looks up with a warm smile. “The one on Colonial has the best reviews.”
Right. I could have looked that up. Avery gave me my very own phone days ago. It’s wedged in my fist, but I keep forgetting I have it.
While we all get out of the car, I try not to let myself wonder where Tristan is and why he hasn’t been around at all.
Maybe he’s just going to ignore me forever.
Spencer’s phone chimes, and he frowns at the screen before glancing at me. I start to ask him what he’s staring at, but my words get choked up again. It seems to happen when I get overwhelmed—and this place is the definition of overwhelming.
I’ve never been anywhere so big . It’s endless . Just yards and yards of shiny white linoleum and hundreds of rows of shelves stacked two stories high.
My body tries to freeze on the threshold, but Jonah settles his big hand over my lower back and gently propels me forward. While Spencer leads us toward a customer service desk, Avery closes in at my other side. He doesn’t reach for me, but his eyes lock onto mine.
“You good, kitten?”
I nod, but he doesn’t buy it. I get a raised eyebrow instead. He leans closer and grumbles, “I fucking hate this place, too. ”
Jonah rolls his amber eyes. The sticky-sweet scent of his skin toasts a bit, but that just makes him even more mouth-watering. Especially when his fingers knead my spine through my thin silk shirt. “Give her a chance to form an opinion, Ave. Omegas like this place.”
Avery stares at him, level as can be. “Not my omega.”
Damn it, but he’s right . I hate it here. The fluorescents overhead are blinding , and whatever scent-neutralizer they pump into this place gives me a headache.
Spencer returns to our group within a few moments. He has a tablet in his hand and starts ticking things off the screen. “Pillows, cushions, stain and moisture resistant covers, bath supplies, hair products, blankets?—”
My temples throb dully as my chest tweaks tight. All three of them stare, waiting for me to say something, until Jonah’s phone goes off. He barely checks the screen before he sighs, stashing it away and reaching for my hand.
“I know it’s a lot,” he whispers, stepping close enough to block out the chaos of the store and the lights and smells. For a moment, I can only see his wide chest and inhale his toasty scent. He cuts Spencer a dirty look. “We’ll go through one thing at a time. No lists. And whenever you feel done, we’ll leave.”
Spencer watches, his pinched expression collapsing into something darkly contemplative. He keeps the troubled look on his face while we go through the first few aisles.
By the fourth, he seems more confident. He still doesn’t touch me, but he looks me in the eye and explains little tidbits of omega knowledge he’s acquired through his research.
“You’ll want at least four of those. Omegas typically require three to five blankets for their beds. I’d feel better if we selected six.”
“Choosing a variety of cushions may help you build your nest faster. Most omegas like more density toward the center and less around the edges.”
And when Jonah picks up a pillow with tassels ( that, admittedly, I hate the feel of), he simply snatches it away and mutters, “Preposterous.”
Attitude aside, it’s actually sort of fascinating. If he didn’t intimidate me into silence, I’d like to ask him what he teaches at his university. Or if he’d be willing to lend me some of his books.
I can probably sneak some when they all go to work one of these days.
Avery’s the only one without a normal job, but he seems more like an accomplice than a narc. Every time I have a thought I wouldn’t want the others to hear, he’s already staring at me, smirking. Especially when we make it to the “toiletry” section of the store.
It has all the usual stuff—and I’m thrilled by the idea of a shower with the scent-masking body wash Wally always forbid. But it also has a lot of other items. Like industrial-sized vats of lube with hand pumps.
Spencer looks stiff as he adds one to the cart without comment, but Avery sends me a scorching smile, and Jonah blushes .
Which is actually adorable .
I can’t resist reaching up and touching his cheek. When he sees I’m biting back a smile, a warm grin stretches across his broad features.
He really is the definition of a team player—content to be the butt of any joke as long as his pack is happy. He doesn’t make me speak, either; he just bends down to rub a fresh scent-mark along my cheek, nuzzling me with his soft, thick beard.
The sensation sends prickles to my nipples. They stiffen and graze the fabric of my shirt. Without warning, pi?a colada perfume swirls around us.
We all freeze for a moment.
Spencer’s dark eyes flash, angry and almost… wild .
Avery grunts, ducking to sink his teeth into his closed fist.
I start to scramble for an apology, fighting the squeeze in my windpipe. But Jonah’s gaze softens. He pulls me into his body, hugging me close.
“Mmm, hummingbird,” he husks, purring. “Like a slice of heaven every single time.”
I only manage a couple of words. “B-but people can smell me. M-my perfume?—”
“—is nobody’s business but ours,” he finishes, as if that’s that. Smoothing one enormous palm down the back of my head, he folds me closer to that deep, rusty purr.
Avery’s voice is about as smooth as 20-grit sandpaper, but he grinds out, “What’s next, Spence?”
I lose the thread of their conversation, falling into Jonah’s rumbles, letting him break the ache between my eyebrows. When I nestle my face into his shirt, I feel the front of his jeans strain over an erection. But he doesn’t get pissed about it or press an advantage. He only clasps me closer and drops his face to my hair while he continues talking and purring.
We leave a thin trail of my perfume behind us while I fill the cart with the makeup and hair stuff I desperately need. I’m starting to feel like we might actually get everything done when I hear it.
“I knew it.”
The voice is just familiar enough to raise the fine hairs on the back of my neck. My body locks into stillness, accidentally stopping short and forcing Avery to run into me. He snaps an arm around my waist, scowling, until he sees my face.
“What—”
But it’s too late. The approaching footsteps turn onto our aisle, revealing two alphas I wish I didn’t recognize.
“I told you it was her,” Cheap Pizza Rolls crows. He elbows the taller, balding one I’ve always thought of as Spray Cheese. “ No one else smells like this little snack.”
I flounder, my mouth opening and closing. Thinking over and over, No. Not here. Not now. Please no.
It’s too late, though. Jonah’s brow crouches low as Spencer snaps straight. Avery’s arm flexes across my middle, holding me against his body. When he speaks, there’s a growl layered into his voice. “These friends of yours, kitten ?”
I try to speak, but my silent Omega has me paralyzed. A thick wedge blocks my throat and nothing comes out.
Unfortunately, that does not stop the alpha across from us. “We know her from the club,” Pizza Rolls scoffs.
He flicks his muddy eyes to mine. “Didn’t know Wally had started lending you out, babe. Does he charge by the hour, or do you do overnights like the other girls?”
Oh God.
OH. GOD .
My mind reels, imagining what the alphas surrounding me must be picturing. No , I want to scream, but a quiet whine is all that escapes.
Usually, I’d expect Jonah to reach for me when my scent darkens this way. But he’s frowning at our interlopers, the gears in his mind visibly grinding.
And Avery? He keeps his arm around me, but he’s staring at the side of my face like he’s never seen me before.
Their scents are a burned, gooey, sopping mess . What if they don’t want me anymore? What if they shove me at these other alphas and walk out of here? What if ? —
But, then, Spencer grabs my hand.
And I forget how to breathe.