Chapter 50
Hestia
Iwiggle my toes while I lounge in my nest eating breakfast.
After a round of morning fun, my alphas cleaned me and brought me food so I could refuel after our vigorous night.
I’m worn out but sated, and thrilled to bask in their attention.
They thoroughly washed and dried and bundled me up before depositing me back in my clean nest. They took out the come-soaked sheets and furniture covers, making sure to leave the pillows I had them scent mark and their worn clothing.
I couldn’t lift a finger even if I wanted to, they have me so wrapped up in a blanket that only my feet and head are poking out.
Despite the cleaning, my nest still smells like us, a heady scent that will stick now that we rolled around in here so thoroughly. We ended up trying out all of the sex furniture last night, as well as the walls and floor. And shower.
Cato feeds me a mini quiche off my tray, and I lick his finger as he places it on my tongue.
He kisses my neck while I chew. It’s nice to feel his lips on me again.
I hope having a pack breakfast in bed will become a new tradition.
My alphas are wolfing down their food, which is in stark contrast to how they’re feeding me when I’m ready for another bite.
My meal is punctuated with kisses and petting.
If I weren’t all bundled up, I might redirect some of that petting to my pussy.
I’m so used to having them inside me now, I miss it when they’re not there.
But I don’t want to be greedy, they’ve given me more than enough already.
I suppose that’s what bonds are for, so you can stay connected to your mates and actually leave the nest to get things done. Someday we’ll have that, and I’ll never be empty or alone again.
Once I’m full of food, they remove the trays and cuddle me. Eventually my blanket gets unwrapped and their hands are all over me again. I sigh happily.
“Your nest is beautiful and so comfortable. It’s amazing to see what you did with the room,” Charm says, kissing my forehead.
“Thank you,” I say, pleased with myself. “But you deserve some credit for that. The furniture is perfect, plus you took me shopping and bought a lot of things for my nest. So, thank you for helping me decorate.”
“You’re the one who chose the decorations and made it cozy and welcoming—” Orion says.
“And sexy,” Cato interrupts.
Orion gives him a look before finishing, “We were just happy to support your vision.”
I accept their compliments this time. I did put a lot of work into arranging my nest, making sure the correct pillow is placed here, the plush blanket with the right fabric is over there, and so on. I’m glad my alphas approve and appreciate my efforts.
“Speaking of which, when did you get all the sex furniture? We would have helped you bring it up, you didn’t need to do it yourself,” Charm says.
I frown, trying to make sense of his question. I’m too wrung out to be thinking this much.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Those curved chairs, the benches and rockers, that swing—how did you get them up here without any of us noticing?” he repeats.
“All the furniture was here when I moved in. That first day, this was all in my nest. I thought you guys got it for me,” I say.
“Last night was the first time I’ve seen any of this,” Orion says, shaking his head.
The others look similarly confused. All except for—
“I bought them for her,” Cato says smugly.
“When did you buy them?” Magnus asks.
“When we were preparing Hestia’s rooms. They came just in time too. I barely got them put together before we left to bring her home,” Cato says.
Orion rubs his forehead. “Cato, this isn’t going to help our case. I really wish you hadn’t bought our trainee sexual items for her nest before she showed any interest in us.”
“We were redoing her rooms anyway, and already bought new furniture. It was the perfect time to get her other useful items,” Cato says.
“We hadn’t even met her yet! Why the fuck did you think it was okay to buy her sex toys?” Charm says.
“Sex furniture,” Cato corrects. “I have a sense for these things. I bought them after I read her file and saw how perfect my pet is. I knew we would need it, and I was right. The customized sex furniture was wonderfully supportive while we fucked her.”
“Their usefulness is not the issue,” Henri says.
“You’ve watched her on the cameras since the day she arrived, how is that any different from what I did? We were simply planning for when Hestia became ours,” Cato says.
“Were the sex toys part of your ‘plan?’” Charm asks.
“The furniture predated my Plan,” Cato says primly.
I can’t hold it in any longer.
I burst out laughing, cutting off further arguments.
I know Orion has a point, but I don’t care how it looks. I love that Cato picked out furniture for my nest so we could use it together someday. I should have realized this was his doing. I can’t imagine any of the others buying me sex furniture or toys before we got together.
Looking back, it’s clear they were interested in me from the beginning. They’ve always taken care of me far beyond what’s normal for coworkers, but no one was as forward about it as Cato.
My omega recognized that their pack was special when we met. If I’d been honest with myself then, I would have realized we were meant to be. They’ve proven they’re the right pack for me every day since.
With those serious thoughts, my laughter subsides.
“I’m not upset about what any of you did before we got together.
I literally fell for you that first day, I was so struck by our scent matching.
My interest in you has only grown since I moved in.
However, we should probably leave these little details out when we eventually tell HR we’re in a relationship,” I say.
My alphas laugh and finally relax, all except for Cato, whose purring continued uninterrupted, not troubled by his packmates’ concerns.
I’m pleased the others were so worried on my behalf, but it’s not like anything they did pushed me into this relationship. It’s who they are that drew me to them.
We enjoy the rest of our break by making thorough use of my nest with the occasional break for fun winter activities.
We went sledding on the hills and skating at a little frozen pond nearby.
I cuddled up with my alphas on the sleds and held their hands while skating.
It was nice to spend time in the mountains where we’re free to be together.
Out here, with the snow falling, it’s like we’re in our own private snow globe.
Every day with them is so easy. I’ve found my home, a place where I’ll always be safe and loved.
I enjoyed wintering in Starsfalls, but I love our time at the station, even when we’re doing mundane things.
Today is our last day off, and we’re using it to prepare for the weeks ahead.
Orion is reading reports from the other rescuer teams in the mountains.
Henri is meal prepping, and the rest of them are checking equipment and catching up on chores.
I bounced around the station, helping with whatever I could.
They finally dismissed me this afternoon to rest up. I was happy to leave them to it because I’m tired after our lively few weeks. Plus it gives me a chance to catch up on my knitting.
I finished one sleeve already and started on the next. I’ve been lucky so far and the variation between skeins hasn’t been noticeable. This locally-spun yarn I bought in Starsfalls is great.
I need this to come out perfectly. I’ve been poring over the pattern to make sure I don’t miss a step, even though I basically have the instructions memorized. I don’t want to mess this up, and there isn’t time to frog it and start over.
My yarn catches, and despite tugging on it, the ball won’t unravel anymore. Ugh, I’m mid-row. I don’t want to pause here and have the tension get all weird. I try again, but it won’t budge.
With a sigh, I carefully cap the needles and set my project aside.
I unzip the bag and pull out the yarn. There’s a bunch of fuzz twisted around the strand, which must be what caused the problem. I clip it off, and I’m about to put the ball back when something moves.
I freeze, staring into the dark recesses of the bag.
Nothing else happens.
Maybe it was a trick of the light.
I drop the yarn in and scream as something flies out at me.