Chapter 34
WREN
Connor and Theo go into game plan mode.
The two of them have their heads together over the kitchen island, as I hover and flutter in place between the fridge and the sink, wringing my hands.
No matter what I say, or how much I protest, they’re busy plotting this whole Omega moving in thing with the precision of an attack strategy for a championship trophy.
Goddamn heat spikes.
Now, all I want to do is burrow into my bed, hide under the biggest pile of blankets possible, become a human burrito, and never have to resurface again.
“No one will question who’s coming and going from the Wolves team owner’s fancy fucking gated mansion, but they sure as hell will notice from our team headquarters. So Brennan’s place will be perfect.”
“Then, there’s a very real risk of an Alpha getting the wrong idea if you go into heat while one of us isn’t around.
” Theo grunts while tapping away at something on his phone.
I’m terrified he’s in the middle of composing an all-staff email to the Wolves’ entire administrative team.
The kind of mood he’s in, I wouldn’t put it past him to be hitting send right now, with Connor’s agent copied in.
“I think additional scent-blocking spray and any other precautions are a good idea, Bambi.” That ocean-blue gaze flicks down to my pussy.
“I’m not talking to you about the ins and outs of Omega underwear.”
He flashes me the kind of sinful smile that would be enough to have any panties I might choose to wear around him simply spontaneously combust.
“Oh, I for sure want you out of your underwear. I’ll gladly have you forgo anything at all. Show me that gorgeous cunt all day long, baby. However, the thought of you smelling this delicious around others is enough to give me a coronary.”
Oh. My cheeks heat. Am I perfuming that obviously around them? I guess I’ve been in such a thick cloud of my own scent since the bar that it doesn’t register just how heavy mine might be right now.
“The upcoming match schedule is a decent run of home games.” Theo jabs at his phone.
“Yeah, we’re not due to be on the road for a while.”
“Round six to ten might be a problem. Then finals will depend on how the season goes.”
Connor scratches at his beard, eyes drifting to me, then back to the phone screen. “We’ll figure it out. We might get lucky.” As he says it, he waggles his eyebrows at me.
“Oh my god. You’re impossible.” I shove at his shoulder. He’s just so fucking solid, it’s like trying to push a stone monolith.
He lets out a raspy sort of laugh and scoops me in front of his chest, so that my spine is trapped against his front.
Those big hands band across the front of my shoulders, and I vaguely recall him holding me like this back at the bar, when I was flying high on all the pheromones and overwhelmed by how badly I wanted him to knot me right there, out in the open.
I swallow down all the ways my body wants to start not-so-subtly rubbing back against him. All his scent of rain and heather and something so perfectly Connor winds around my senses, leaving me inhaling deep lungfuls of how damn good he smells.
A rumbling noise stutters out of his chest, and it feels delicious, extending through my core, before the sensation disappears again, faster than I can work out what just happened.
Was that… did he just…
“I think we can manage the pre-heat spikes if we make sure you have access to our scent at all times. It’ll be particularly important if we’re not physically with you.” Theo runs a strong hand through his hair.
“Access to your scent?”
“Until we’ve moved you in properly, and any time you’re away from us, we’ll have clothes you can have.”
“Clothes?” I’m obviously unable to do anything but repeat back what he’s saying.
“Mmm. I think leaving our clothes for you will go a long way to helping. Your Omega needs are going to get stronger, and having our scent should temper some of the intensity.” Theo honestly looks apologetic as he weighs his next words.
“I suspect that’s why things were brought on so fast at the bar tonight, Wren.
I’m so sorry I didn’t think of it earlier, that even if I’d just had a few pieces of clothing delivered… ”
Wow. Okay. So, this is really happening.
“… and of course, we’ll need to ensure we drop off more clothes as soon as the scent disappears or isn’t strong enough for your liking.”
“What am I supposed to do? Wear your clothes?”
Connor makes a smug noise behind me and leans down to brush his lips against my temple. “You already know my opinion on that. Yes. Preferably at all times.” It sends a shiver roaming through me, hearing just how much desire is in his voice.
Theo coughs into his fist. “You don’t have to wear them, of course. But keeping something close by, to keep the scent with you, that would be the best way to manage things. Especially while you’re in class or around campus.”
“Should give a real clear message to any Alphas sniffing around to fuck right off, too.” Connor’s arms band tighter, squeezing me a little closer against his torso.
“You haven’t spoken with Palamo about any of this?” Theo’s focus dials in on the man at my back, and even though I can’t see his face, I feel him shake his head behind me.
A rush of something unfamiliar swirls in my veins. Leaving me fighting a shudder just at the mention of his name. Which is absolutely ridiculous. I simply cannot keep having this kind of visceral reaction to a guy who has zero interest in my existence.
One hit of a nice scent, tattoos, and cheekbones chiseled from granite, do not make up for being a grumpy, Alpha asshole.
“I can arrange for someone else from the team to move in with him. One or two of the wider squad members could benefit from living with a senior player.”
“No.” Connor’s reply is sharp, carving across whatever Theo was about to say next.
My pulse kicks at the intensity in that one single word.
“It would be easy—”
Behind me, he clears his throat. “No, he’ll move in, too.
I need to talk to him, of course, but it’s going to work better this way.
” I feel his chest rise and fall a little faster.
“Besides, the prick will be far too suspicious if I suddenly move out without warning. Better to keep him in the picture. Leave it to me to handle Ace.”
Theo gives him a long look. “If you’re sure?”
“Yep. Scout’s honor. The guy barely talks to anyone, and I’d rather know that I’ve had a chance to explain things to him properly… considering how close he and Murphy are.”
As he says the last part, referring to my brother, his vice-captain, by our last name, I wince. Yeah, nothing could possibly go wrong trying to hide this from my brother’s best friend.
“I hate that you’re right…” I mutter. “But I have to agree with Connor. It’s better we don’t have Atlas getting suspicious, even if it means we have to trust him to keep a secret from Finch.”
“Besides, if we’re truly going to sell the story about the reason for the move being about my privacy, and the risk of media swarming the house, it would make sense for Ace to move out, too.”
Something in Connor’s energy is hard to pinpoint right now. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was relieved. But there’s a different energy there to just being a teammate… this seems somehow more important to him?
Theo’s continued planning interrupts my thoughts. “Okay. So we’ll get you two relocated tomorrow. Then, once everything is settled at my house, we’ll sort things out for you, Wren.” His throat dips as he says the words. My house.
Jesus.
How is this my life?
“We need a nest room.” Connor says breezily.
I need to sit down.
“What’s that look for, Brennan?”
Theo’s eyes hold mine as he runs one hand over the back of his neck.
“It’s nothing much, but…” He pauses and clears his throat.
“I’d taken the liberty of already starting to make a nest. There’s only one small ventilation window in the basement, but I got blackout curtains.
Heaps of blankets and pillows. There are meals prepared in the freezer, and water bottles stocked. ”
My mouth hangs open. This is all too much to take in.
“I didn’t know what scents you would be able to handle, so I got unscented everything for the bathroom, plus a few options of smells you might like. But if you tell me what you think you’ll prefer, I’ll buy it.”
Connor rumbles something about the type of bedding I have in my room. Theo immediately makes a note.
Honestly? I’m blinking rapidly. A surge of heat pricks the back of my eyes.
I’m such a goddamn liability. Here I am, supposed to be keeping to some sort of Omega-scholar-restraining order-sized distance from men in their positions… and my ex’s dad is secretly building a nest for me?
“You don’t have to do all this.” A croak comes out of me.
“I do. We do.” Goddamn Theo for sounding so sure and grounded.
As if this is something he wants, and it isn’t just fate throwing him the worst kind of hospital pass.
“That’s what we’re here for, to take care of you.
Especially when you’re going through something so intense for the first time, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything. ”
“Just say yes, Bambi.” Above me, I feel those words, filled with a subtle plea, exhaled against my hair.
Theo’s jaw flexes as he lets out a little rumbling noise. “Let us look after you.” And behind that is the even more potent second layer to that statement. Let me.
“I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this…” It’s barely a whisper, but I nod slowly.
Sneaking around, moving in with my ex-boyfriend’s dad, my brother’s teammate, and his best friend?
What could possibly go wrong?