Chapter 29
Twenty-Nine
Nina
I ’m staring at my computer screen, and I feel paralyzed for some reason. I wanted to write, and started my account to begin blogging, but I can’t seem to start the words.
Slumping back in my chair, I gaze out at the backyard. The real estate agent said that the owners maintained the garden right up until they sold, and now Cooper is keeping it going.
It’s beautiful out here. We’ve been in the house for two months now, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the property. Brick walls surround the entire garden and pavers wind through to give the illusion of a secret world among the flowers and trees.
So why can’t I write?
“Nina,” Cooper says, stepping outside. “You look a little dejected. What’s up?”
My alpha is always watching. He’s been working on a new house project, but I know he watches me out the window. Still stalking me.
Right this second, I love it because I am feeling a little stumped.
“I’m stuck,” I pout. “I love coming out here to read and take notes, but now my brain feels locked up.”
“What if your brain is bored because it’s too quiet?” he asks. At my look, he smirks. “Princess, I know all of your quirks. You tend to listen to music when you want to block out the world in your nest. I think that background noise kickstarts your brain so it’s not too quiet.”
“Maybe,” I frown. “Okay, I’ll bite. What do you think will help?”
“Move spots,” he says immediately, pointing at the swing. “Your brain will think you’re doing something as you move back and forth. Then, play music or a podcast that’ll engage your brain while not making you pay attention to the words. Get your brain busy so you can write.”
“I swear, you have the manual down on me,” I sigh, standing.
Cooper just smirks as he helps me into the porch swing that he made for the backyard. There’s a breeze now that fall is moving in, and he covers my legs with a light blanket to help me get comfortable.
Picking up my water bottle, he frowns as he shakes it.
“I’m getting you more water,” he murmurs. “Riley also made some bread before he went to work. Do you want me to toast a piece and add hazelnut spread on it with some banana?”
I haven’t eaten much today and my stomach rumbles at the thought of eating the best piece of toast that’s ever been eaten.
“That sounds so good,” I whimper.
“I got you, Princess,” he promises. “I’ll be back.”
Cooper disappears back into the house as I smile after him. He’s so damn good to me. He’s also right. My head isn’t in the best shape to write if I’m hungry.
Opening up a browser, I scroll through podcasts on Omega Link and find someone called Little Rabbit . The name sounds vaguely familiar, but I don’t always trust my memories.
Turning on a podcast, I begin listening as I start my blog. A piece of toast appears in front of my lips, and I take a bite without thinking, continuing to type. Cooper chuckles and walks away, but I’m already lost again to my words.
“ Emilia Richardson has decided to host a dating event, and I think she’s the last person who should do that,” Little Rabbit says. My fingers stop moving as I catch this part, my nose wrinkling.
Fucking Emilia Richardson. God, I hate that woman so much.
“ If something sounds too good to be true, it likely is. Who can say who the ‘right’ alphas are that you should be meeting? Status doesn’t always mean safety.
The ugliest people sometimes come in the prettiest trappings,” she says.
“ I know what it’s like to want and wish for someone to look at me with adoration.
I promise it’s out there. I just found it in a way I never thought I would. ”
The Little Rabbit’s words help to fuel mine as I use my anger to put my thoughts together. I don’t really care if it sounds unhinged, because I doubt anyone is going to read it. They’re just the words of an omega, right?
The Little Rabbit’s podcast has an insane amount of views, but she’s anonymous and there’s a certain amount of allure when it comes to the unknown. I’m just me.
An omega with a shitload of trauma and some burgeoning anger issues.
The sky is darkening by the time my words run out, and I sigh as I close my laptop. I’ll have to edit it tomorrow, when I’m not so tired.
“Hey, Little One,” Riley says, coming outside. “I heard you’ve been hard at work. Can I tempt the writer into some food?”
“Yes, please,” I sigh. “Cooper tried to feed me, but I barely remember it.”
“He says he got you to take a couple of bites before you pushed his hand away,” he says, amused.
Taking my laptop, he holds out his hand to help me stand. My legs complain from sitting for so long, but I feel content. I didn’t realize that I needed to get some of that out. I don’t know how much I’ll use for the blog post and what I’ll cut, but it was really therapeutic.
“Good day?” he asks as we walk inside.
“Yes,” I admit, grinning tiredly. “The time just slipped away from me, but it’s been a really good day.”
Sitting with my alphas, unwinding together as we talk about our days is even better though. I get to spend my life with them.
I still can’t completely get my mind around it.
Four months later
Curled up in my nest, I glare at my current homework. I was accepted into South University, and of course I’m overloaded with courses. I still hate math, and it’s a prerequisite to graduate. I may need to get Ethan to help me.
Not that he hasn’t already offered, I’m just stubborn as hell.
Tossing the textbook aside, I groan.
“Math?” Ethan asks from the doorway of my nest. They all insist on asking before coming in, unless there’s some kind of emergency or I fall asleep and they want to bring me back to our room. At my nod, he raises his brow. “Let me come in, Little Queen, and I’ll banish your problems.”
Giggling, I accept his kind offer, and he strides inside.
“Let’s blow through this,” he says. “Riley promised to make molten chocolate cake before he leaves for his rotation.”
“God, you had me at chocolate,” I moan, sitting up.
“He knows the secret to your heart,” he teases.
I didn’t think my blog would go anywhere, but the Dean of the Communications reached out and asked for a meeting. He told me that I could continue to write while learning about how best to move in the world since it’s a competitive field.
Dean Holsten pretty much refused to take no for an answer, and I’m really enjoying my classes. With this course load, I’ll be able to finish school in three years and I can take less math classes.
I’m good with having my arm slightly twisted to confirm my major in the communications department.
“Why do you explain this so much better than my teachers?” I ask, working out the last problems. Somehow, he makes it all make sense to my brain.
“A lot of university professors overcomplicate things,” Ethan murmurs, watching as I work my way through the math problem. “It doesn’t need to feel like mental gymnastics. See, you got this.”
“With a lot of help,” I remind him. “Done. Is it chocolate time yet?”
Riley yells from the first floor, and I burst out laughing.
“You can use the bond,” I tell him.
“ It’s more fun to yell. Get your cute ass downstairs.”
Smirking, I scramble up and Ethan and I walk downstairs.
“Dad said he wanted to show you something,” he says.
“I remember he said something about an appointment,” I say. “He was really cagey about it though and wouldn’t tell me what it was.”
“My father is insane,” Ethan grunts. “You’ll see, I hear his voice.”
“What the fuck, Cooper?” Riley asks as we approach the kitchen.
“Should I be worried?” I ask, raising my brow.
“No. It’s almost romantic,” Ethan grumbles. “Go look.”
Peeking into the kitchen, I see Riley looking at something on what seems to be Cooper’s neck.
“Hi,” I announce myself as I walk in. I know they can tell it’s me, but I feel a little awkward because Riley is glaring at Cooper.
“Hey baby,” Riley says, glancing at me. His glare softens as he comes to hug me. He smells like melted chocolate.
“I want to dip you in chocolate and eat you,” I moan .
“Anytime you want,” Riley chuckles. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I think so,” I say. “I keep thinking about how I haven’t had a heat again. I don’t know when I should worry.”
“Never,” Riley says. “Seriously, your body is going to do what it wants, Nina. Give it some time.”
I’m on birth control now and haven’t touched a heat suppressant since I went to Colorado. I guess he’s right. Midterms are soon, I don’t want to borrow trouble and spontaneously worry myself into a heat.
I mean, it could happen.
“Cooper,” I say, smirking as he looks at me. “Where have you been hiding today?”
“I’m starting to reconsider this after Riley’s reaction,” he grumbles.
“Show me,” I insist.
Gazing at me intently, he stalks over and points under his jaw where I bit him during my heat. Grabbing his arms, I tug down so he’ll bend down for me to see better.
There’s a transparent bandage over the area, and I realize it’s a tattoo! My lips part in awe as I see that he had my bite drawn on his body so it no longer looks translucent.
“Cooper,” I whisper, my fingers gingerly touching outside of it. “What made you decide to do this?”
“Do you hate it?” he asks. “The first thing I thought about when you bit me is that I wished everyone could see it.”
“I think this is the sexiest thing anyone has ever done for me,” I admit, squealing as he lifts me into the air to kiss me.
“See, it’s romantic,” Ethan shrugs.
“And mildly insane,” Riley laughs.
“To-may-to, to-mah-to,” Cooper mutters.
Honestly, they’re all kind of unhinged, and it works perfectly fine.
Putting me down, Cooper leads me to our island and lifts me onto the bar stool. I swear, somehow all the furniture was bought for the giants that live here.
“Don’t pout,” Riley smirks, sliding me cake. “Even if you were tall, we’d still pick you up.”
“You’re all lucky I love you,” I grumble as I pick up my fork and take a bite. My smile makes them chuckle as they listen to my obligatory moan.