Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
CLOVER
T his is so overwhelming.
At first, I was excited. Walking into the store, I was filled with all these new possibilities. It felt like I was being treated as a real Omega. It made me feel valued.
Part of me wanted to take back my earlier statement about not being exclusive. If a pack was willing to take me through this experience and create a nest for me, it felt like a step to forever. This was my first chance to pick out everything I wanted for my nest.
This morning, I texted Marcus. I wanted his advice on what sort of things an Omega needed for their nest and asked him how I should handle this all. He tried to invite himself along, saying he could help me better if he was there.
As much as I liked Marcus, this felt like my moment. That this was just for me. I had told him that I wanted to do this alone and he had just responded to text him if I needed help. Also, he reminded me that this was just one day. There had been plenty of days before that they could have been kind to me.
That hit me in my gut. A reminder that I hadn’t been enough for them before.
Lemon had tried to talk to me about things when she had been over but, I don’t think she understood the whole story. At the end of our conversation, I slept more than I got to know her.
Maybe Joy would be a better person to talk to or I did have Omega class Tuesday and could bring everything up.
When Ariel had asked about my inspiration for my nest, I had froz up. Overwhelmed by the fact I didn’t know what my nest should look like.
When I lived in the Beta village everything had basic colors. There were a lot of browns, whites, and blacks. Sometimes things were various shades of blue or, occasionally, there would be purple.
Maybe, that’s why I was drawn to Marcus’s nest. The neutral tones were safe colors and reminded me of my home, growing up.
But my nest? What was my nest supposed to be like?
“Oh, I love this song. You want to dance, cherry girl?” I can’t even think as Vaughn pulls me up and is twirling me around the cafe.
No one is dancing and I’ve never even heard this song. Vaughn doesn’t seem to notice this and starts counting out the steps, as if we’re in some ballroom dance class.
It’s all so out of character for the Alpha, that I have to laugh.
His eyes meet mine. He has brown eyes. Dark eyes that aren’t like McKinley’s dark chocolate brown or like Griffin’s golden brown. Vaughn’s eyes are cinnamon brown. Earthy and rich, they remind me of the sweetness of his soda scent.
Leaning in, he is scenting me. Not marking me like the others would be doing to calm me down. Vaughn is more reserved outside of his rut and I know that something is going on with him that makes him struggle to commit to me.
“If you’re not having fun or don’t want to be here, just tell me. I’ll throw you over my shoulder and run out before they can stop us.” Something about how outlandish his statement is, catches me off guard.
I throw my head back and the laughter bursts out of me. It shocks him too but he recovers after a second and smiles at me like he just discovered something new.
“The way you laugh is amazing. Your dancing though…” I gasp, feigning outrage. Even though he is completely right.
As much as I love to dance I’m not great at it.
“Just for that your shoes are going to be ruined.” I step on his feet, pressing us closer together. Vaughn’s hand wraps around my back to secure me before he tests out the dancing.
A few robotic moves later, we both realize how absolutely ridiculous this moment is. The shared laughter between us feels like a peace offering.
I can use a peace offering right now.
“Let me be a good Alpha today, Clover. I’ll stay with you and we can make sure your nest is everything that you want. It doesn’t matter what color other Omega’s have their nest or what material they may like. This is going to be your safe space. You pick whatever you want for it, okay?” His thumb is rubbing into my lower back. Small circles that make me want to lay my head on his chest and nap.
Nodding he seems to accept that as a good enough confirmation before leading us back to the table and taking the lead.
All the guys are looking at me as Ariel pulls out some samples of Omega rooms. Most of them are soft colors. Cream, pink, peach, and yellow. Nothing that is too bright or too dark. It actually feels a bit disappointing and I can feel myself pulling back from this all again.
“Just because these are the colors people are choosing doesn’t mean that we only have these. Here at Nests ‘R’ Us, we have every color under the rainbow. And if you like something and we don’t have that color there is a special area where they can color match whatever you want. Your nest can be customized to whatever you want, Clover.” That eases some of my worry.
Her eyes look over my pack. She had given them a tablet where they would fill out some questions about the shopping trip while we talked about my nest and she had me fill in my own questionnaire. Taking it back from Apollo, her eyes look from it to them.
“Oh Clover, don’t you have a very generous pack!” I sip on the lavender lemonade that Vaughn bought me. I wouldn’t have thought to order something like this but I love it.
I nod at Ariel, not knowing why she is saying this but preening at the praise she is giving them. It’s sort of nice to be linked to a pack. It makes me feel like I’m worthy.
Griffin slides his hand from where it rests behind my head to squeeze my hand.
“Are you ready to start shopping or do you want another drink?”
Shaking the ice in the cup, I think about it. I guess I can start shopping.
“I’m ready.”
I was not ready.
It had been almost three hours and I was just getting to the accessories in the store.
The Alpha’s had gone away before I had picked out the coloring and items for my nest. That had been two hours ago and now I was really missing them.
“So here is where you can pick out anything from knick-knacks to knots. We have pretty picture frames and mirrors you may like or, if you need something, we do have the new ‘That’s Knot’ collection items.”
Ariel hasn’t lost any of the pep in her step. She’s been kind and complimented all of my choices. Even though my nest isn’t traditional Omega coloring she still made it seem like I was doing everything right. It made me feel more confident in my choices and has me excited to put it all together in my room.
She explained how they have a service where they do the big install of any furniture and drapery that I ordered. It makes it easier so that I can set up my nest with my blankets and pillows without worrying about moving things. Ariel also explained that my Alpha’s have the team coming out today to do everything. We’ll go home and have an early dinner while things are put together.
The pack had talked about using Apollo’s office so I could have a separate area to nest but I decided to do a combo bedroom nest. I liked the idea of having all my needs in one place.
By bedtime tonight I’ll be in my own nest.
A shiver of excitement runs down my spine at the idea.
“What’s the That’s Knot collection?” I ask, wondering if this is something I’m supposed to know.
Ariel lets her eyes widen before a smile bursts out on her face. She motions for me to follow her. Stopping a few times as I add a couple of small trinkets to the list she’s checking off on her tablet.
We round a corner and I feel the flush on my cheeks as I see rows and rows of sex toys.
“This section you can add everything to a bin right there on the corner. Since the checkout is right through the door they scan and wrap everything for you to keep it discreet. Your Alpha’s won’t see the purchases. They’ll be added to your nesting material so that you can either share this with them or keep it just for you.” Ariel explains the process, “And since this is supposed to be your area it’s also where I leave you. Did you have anything else that you needed before I go?” I shake my head, overwhelmed. “I’m so excited for your nest. You should totally film the content in it for OLife.” That’s the app Marcus was telling me about. “People will seriously die over the color choices. In the best way of course! It’s going to be so boho chic cozy. It makes me want a nest.” She chatters on as if we’re not surrounded by dozens of different choices of cock, “Oh, I’m sorry. When you’re done, you can go right through that door. It was so nice meeting you, Clover. Have the best time in your new nest!” She waves at me before leaving me alone in the space.
One of the best parts of Nests ‘R’ Us, is the privacy you get while shopping. Before you go into new areas of the store, your shopping assistant checks in to make sure the next group has moved along. The store is obviously busy so they have a floor downstairs for people coming in for quick shopping trips to just get what they need and get out. Pack Mathers had made sure I got the better package so I could take my time and not feel forced into any choices.
My teeth nip my lip again as I look at everything here.
There’s some pretty lingerie and that seems like a tame enough place to start. Gauzy pink babydoll and white lace teddies take up most of the racks. There's more stuff hidden and I find it easy to pick out a few things in my size, adding them to the bin.
My eyes lift to the sex toys.
Sexual pleasure is very common in Omega dorms. Everyone freely talked about sex and you could sometimes hear them getting their pleasure at night. As long as sex was consensual it was considered safe. There was no stigma around it for Omega’s.
But I was raised that sex was something two people did once they got married. That the ache between my thighs meant I wasn’t clean.
Shaking off the blues that are threatening to drown me, I pick up a thrusting knot toy. I’m going to try things. I’m going to embrace my Omega sexuality. I’m going to learn myself.
Which is how I end up with an overflowing bin of sex toys that I don’t remember grabbing.
I don’t overthink it. Instead, I press the button and the bin is pulled out of sight.
Taking a breath, I open the door and step into what looks like a waiting area. Griffin is on his phone, one arm thrown over Vaughn’s shoulders as he talks and texts. He seems relaxed, not angry that we’ve been here so long. Vaughn is showing Griffin something and they smile together and go back to what they’re doing, neither of them noticing me.
It puts me at ease knowing they aren’t mad they’re still here with me.
McKinley is looking through a magazine, his brows drawn together like it’s something serious he’s reading. He seems to want to take it all in as he turns a page.
Apollo is standing by the door. He’s on his phone, talking in hushed tones about something. His back is to me so I can’t see what he really looks like. I hope I’m not keeping him from anything important.
The door closes with a snick sound behind me and suddenly all the eyes are on me.
“Clover!”
“How are you, little omega?”
“Did you get everything you needed?”
“Cherub, do you need some water?” Apollo is off the phone and in front of me, pulling out a sealed bottle of water, and opening it in front of me.
He presses it into my hand and watches me take a sip. The rest of the pack is getting up and surrounding me as they stretch and chat happily about shopping.
Apollo takes the water bottle back, and gives me a soft smile. His blue eyes are sparkling as he looks down at me, and I fight the urge to nuzzle into him and rest my weight against him.
It’s been a lot of walking around today.
“Are you tired, little weed?”
“It was so fun picking everything out for my nest. I didn’t want to shop too much and hold up anyone else shopping so I didn’t take breaks to sit down. I think I also got swept up in the moment. Picking out everything for my nest was so much fun. I got to get everything I wanted. Ariel was so nice and-woah!” Griffin scoops me up, my hands instinctively going to hold around his neck.
“Take a break now. I’ve got you.” He leaves no room to discuss things because he’s already headed towards the next door out.
McKinley holds the door for us to all go through. The room we’re in now has natural light, thanks to the doors that are in front of us. To the left are registers where a few people are checking out.
“I’m going to take care of everything.” Apollo looks thrilled to be spending money but I still feel bad.
“I have a card that was given to me to pay expenses. It’s my nest, I can pay for it.” All of the men get quiet, sharing looks, but all deferring to Apollo to handle this.
The tall, blonde Alpha strides over, his hand cupping my cheek as he leans in. His nose brushing against mine like they’re kissing again. I love when he does that.
“Let us do this for you, cherub. It feels good for an Alpha to provide. If it makes you more comfortable, it can be a courting gift from our pack. Something to show you how interested in you we are. It’s important that you have a space where you feel safe and secure. It’s an honor for us to help provide that. Taking care of you and spoiling you is as much of a treat for us, as it is for you.”
Why does the idea of these men providing for me and taking care of me make me feel so good?
Leaning away from Griffin, I let my lips brush against his in a soft kiss.
“Thank you, Alpha.” His eyes go wide and then narrow. The soft blue turning to a ring of dark. His usual calm scent turns into a deep musk that has me biting back a whine.
Griffin clears his throat, taking a step back.
“As much as I would love to see where that goes, you need to pay Apollo, and we need to get Clover fed. The workers will already be on their way to make sure her nest is ready by tonight.” Apollo breaks eye contact and steps to pay as I wait with the men.
“Thank you. All of you. This has been such an amazing day.” A yawn comes from my lips and Griffin adjusts me so I can lay on his chest. McKinley comes up behind me. His hand stroking my face as I feel myself getting more exhausted.
“We should have been doing this all along.” Are the last words I hear before falling asleep.