Chapter 43
chapter
forty-three
I already feel every second of my thirty-five years.
And there are still three hours before I even have to be at the stadium.
Damn , I think, ignoring the twinge in my knee and an answering throb in my shoulder.
I’m agitated and exhausted, but I have to get it together. It may only be a pre-season game, but it’s the first time my omega will see me on the field, and I don’t want to look as ancient as I feel.
Honestly, now that Archer’s gotten me off the rut-blockers, I expected to fee l better. Instead, I’m foggy and more anxious than usual.
I’ve been doing this NFL shit for fifteen years. You’d think I’d be used to it by now.
Spencer seems to think we’ll all be more on edge because of Serena’s impending heat. But I don’t know if we should listen to him, given that he might actually be an impostor impersonating our packmate.
This morning at breakfast, he stopped reading his research just to kiss Serena’s forehead. And then he let her touch his arm .
Tristan almost choked on his coffee.
That was new, too—Tristan and Serena eating breakfast at the counter like there was only a barstool between them and not a whole damn ocean.
Who knows if that has anything to do with what I find when I come downstairs.
Maybe it’s just her hormones or her instincts Her scent has been lighter day-by-day—sweeter with a high sort of sharpness instead of that deep, dark sting she arrived with.
Maybe she’s just… happy. Comfortable.
The thought puts a smile on my face as I turn down her hallway.
And see the impossible.
Our gorgeous omega. Building our nest.
She looks so cute, wearing one of Avery’s black hoodies, shuffling on her knees from one section of the circular floor mattress to the other.
Long legs bare, face makeup-free. I think this is my favorite look for her. Natural and somehow still so glamorous—she just has that way about her, even on the days I find her elbow-deep in our flower beds.
She likes to look polished—blowing out her hair, waxing her body, wearing little skirts and platform heels.
But I don’t think she has to even try. She’s glorious just like this .
Especially in her nest.
I hope her scent is sinking into every fucking fiber .
It’s been years since I saw the inside of the small, rounded room. I know it has a side door that connects to her bathroom and the suite on the other side, but that’s all I really remember.
I guess that wouldn’t matter anyway. She’s changed everything.
And I love it.
From my vantage point in the hall, I can just barely see the curling tendrils of hanging plants, gently swinging over the nest. She’s strung up several, tangled with soft strings of twinkling lights.
It’s beautiful. Because it’s her . The dark, sensual fabrics. The moody lighting. The greenery she loves so much.
When I get close enough to see the whole room, the plants make more sense. She’s hung them to absorb the sunlight streaming in through the dome of windows overhead.
I don’t remember it being so bright. Will that upset her during her heat? Hanging more plants might help. Knowing Tris, there’s probably some remote that tints the glass or releases a shade.
If Serena is bothered by it, I can’t tell. In fact, I know from her creamy, golden scent that she’s content. Tucking rich purple cushions into plush piles, fluffing out matching blankets, and arranging them into specific swirls.
I watch closely, memorizing the movements in case she needs me to help her rebuild anything later. My scent swells without me noticing—but the second she senses it, she pauses, turning to raise a brow at me.
“Ready for your game, big man?”
God, I am so in love with this woman.
It fills my throat, turning my voice into a rasp. “As I’ll ever be.” I gesture around the beautiful nest. “Looks like you’ve been hard at work, little hummingbird.”
Her expression turns shy as she shrugs. “I woke up this mornin g and just felt like I needed to start.” A tiny quiver moves through her. “Shit, should I have asked you guys first?”
I smile wider. She has a filthy mouth, just like me and Ave. I love it.
“You never have to ask us, manamea . This is your home. You do whatever you want.”
That slight grin grows, cracking my heart in half. Goddamn . She’s so pretty . Sweet and smart and almost mysterious, with so many depths hidden behind those glittering green eyes.
An omega who can charm Spencer out of his shell.
Calm Avery’s cyclones of cynical rage.
And connect with this level of me I didn’t even know existed.
She does it effortlessly, waving a casual hand and gracing me with that grin. “Come in.”
I’m in my pre-game suit, but fuck it. My jacket and shoes end up in a pile next to the door, and I lumber to my knees, carefully finding her in the middle of the rounded mattress.
She gives a nod of approval when I manage not to knock anything down. Then, a wince. “Sorry,” she peeps, looking around. “I guess I need to make our free space bigger, huh?”
I’d never criticize her nest-building. Sure, there are three more big guys who will need to fit in here with us, but if my hairy ass has to sit naked on Avery’s lap so she can have her pillows the way she wants them, so be it.
“Your Omega will know what to do,” I assure her, running my hands over the fuzzy blanket under us. “She’s done a great job so far.”
Serena sits up, preening a bit. Which pretty much makes my game later a waste of time—I’ve already won today.
I lean back carefully on my palms, looking up at all the lights and leaves over us. It’s perfect. I couldn’t imagine anything better.
A deep sigh rolls out of me when I realize I really don’t want to leave.
Serena’s instincts are closer to the surface than usual—because the next thing I know, she’s climbed into my lap. Her bare legs stretc h to straddle my thick thighs, and she sinks down, melding her scorching heat with the hardness already pressing into my pants.
When she wraps her arms around my torso, a gentle vibration sinks into my chest. I hold my breath, listening…
…to her purr.
It rattles softly but hits me like a ton of bricks. My stomach flattens. My heart pounds. The lump in my throat expands along with my knot.
My omega built me a nest. And now she’s purring .
For me .
Which makes me wonder why I ever thought anything else would make me happy.