35. Calliope
Calliope
Since Connor's date a few days ago, I've spent every night at the guys' house after work.
Connor makes dinner, and we cozy up around the table to discuss our day.
I love hearing about their various Cafés and everything going on with them.
I had no idea that one of the guys drove to every café once every two days.
They each take turns to make it fair. There are five in total from Lakeside Point all the way around to Petoskey.
When I talk about what's happening at the Library, the guys always respond with questions. They seem genuinely interested.
I take turns staying in each of their rooms. Connor's room is more basic, with gray walls and minimalist decor. In contrast, Seth's room features a full computer station and various humorous art pieces, including dogs in famous paintings and stormtroopers marching across the moon.
Tonight, we're all sitting around the dining room table eating dinner, and the guys begin to talk about something that has my heart thundering in my chest.
"Listen, I'm telling you there's something wrong with that guy.
I understand that Molick is the love interest, but I think he's pretty toxic," Bax says.
Molick is the love interest in the first book of a fantasy series by Ali Williams. The same book that Bax gifted me as a courting present.
My mouth practically drops open. It falls even wider when Seth and Connor join in.
"And what's with that other guy? The 'villain' has serious vibes," says Seth.
"I'm still hung up on the fact that this self-described skinny and weak omega supposedly hunted for food on her own. Not that omegas can't hunt! They can. But with no instruction and no training? Come on!" Connor adds.
"You… you read my books?" I ask. The all look at me.
They aren't my books, obviously. I didn't write them. But after living in that world for so long, it feels like they're intrinsically mine on a soul level. Seth can't keep the big grin off his face as usual. Connor ducks his head but smiles, and Bax smirks. Then I remember.
"The notes!" I practically yell. I remember seeing Bax taking notes at the book fair. When I'd asked him what he was doing, he'd evade the question. "Did you take notes about my reading?"
"That, and I looked at your reading history on Omegareads. I saw that you'd reread this series when you don't usually reread, and you picked out some of the merchandise related to the series at the book fair. We figured this was a good place to start." Bax side-eyes the guys.
"A place to start?" I echo. What did that mean?
"Reading's a big part of your life, Precious. Bax has always been a big reader, but it's not like I can't read. I want to know what you like, and these books help that. Plus, some of these books have some really interesting ideas." Seth waggles his eyes suggestively, and I laugh.
"Honestly, Baby, I don't usually read," Connor says. "This might be my first real try since high school, but I like these. I think you may make a reader of me."
I stare around at them, beaming like an idiot.
"You guys are serious?" I'm a little breathless.
"Very." Bax's rumbling voice assures me.
"Where are you in the books?" I ask.
"Bax is a speed reader, so he's halfway through the second book. Seth and I are near the end of the first," Connor says. Bax shrugs and winks at me.
This sparks a lively conversation among the four of us.
I'm careful not to reveal any spoilers. Still, listening to their theories, predictions, and insights about the characters is enjoyable.
They're surprised to learn that there are three additional spin-off series, totaling more than twenty-two books.
"I'm gonna have to get an audiobook membership," is Seth's only comment.
When dinner is over, we decide to go to bed.
The guys go to work at five in the morning, and I've started waking up with them and keeping their hours.
It's nice. I have a lot of time in the morning to slowly wake up instead of rushing around.
But the transition hasn't been seamless.
I've lost some sleep, and I keep yawning.
I apologize, but the guys aren't bothered.
"Who gets you tonight, Precious?" Seth asks, a hopeful gleam in his eye. It's all a tease. I was in his bed two nights ago.
I glance at them all, a warm smile playing on my lips.
After our conversation in the kitchen, something's shifted within me.
My feelings have transformed from quiet, cautious hope to a blossoming sense of certainty.
The uncertainty was replaced by a newfound confidence.
Reading a few books felt like a small step, yet it revealed a level of care and a deeper understanding of my needs than anyone had ever shown.
When the pack began courting me, they'd spoken of wanting me to stay in their nest, a notion that filled me with warmth and possibility. I wonder if the invitation still stands. With a flutter of anticipation in my chest, I realize there's only one way to find out.
"What if we all stayed in the same room tonight? In the omega bed?" I suggest. They all turn to concentrate their full attention on me.
"Are you sure, Baby?" Connor asks.
I shift from one foot to the other, tucking my hair behind my ear. "I'm very sure if you all still are?"
Seth, of course, rushes forward, wraps his arms around my upper thighs, and hoists me up onto his chest so that, for once, I'm looking down at them.
"Raindrop," Bax says from below me, standing beside Seth. "We've always been sure and we always will be."
Connor takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. The gesture perfectly captures the love I feel for these three men. Seth expresses it with big, sweeping grins and gestures, Bax through verbal affirmations and a steady presence, and Connor with his intensely sensitive heart.
Seth eventually lets me slide down his body, and we head upstairs to the omega suite, which is still bare.
"We'll get bedding," Connor says, and the three enter their rooms. When they return moments later, they have armfuls of pillows and blankets for the bed.
Considering how big their arms are, that's saying something.
Their individual scents are all over the bedding, and I can't wait to leap into a pile of them.
I don't have to wait long because the guys quickly create a cozy little nest for us all.
Soon, I find myself lying between Connor and Seth, with Bax snuggled up on the other side.
The warmth of their bodies surrounds me, and there's a gentle silence for a moment.
I take a deep breath, feeling the comfort of their presence and summoning the courage to share what has been weighing on my heart all night.
"My heat is coming up in a few weeks," I say into the dark room.
Actual heats, not mini heats, occur every six months.
They're intense and require an omega to be cared for by their partner or partners.
Alternatively, omegas can visit heat clinics where anonymous alphas provide care.
A perfectly legitimate practice, but it often feels sterile and, unfortunately, isn't always ideal.
Incidents do happen. Another option is for the omega to take sedatives and use toys.
However, from personal experience, that isn't an actual solution.
I still endure significant pain, leaving me emotionally drained afterward.
I remember crying for days after my heat.
The silence feels like it's expanding, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket I can't shake off.
A small part of me begins to spiral into panic.
Did I misread everything? Were they actually not ready to share my heat with me?
No, that didn't add up. They'd been so open with their intentions.
More than once, they'd made it clear that they wanted to keep me. So why are they hesitating?
Finally, Bax breaks the silence. "Raindrop, we're ready for your heat.
The guys and I have discussed it, and we want to take you to The Nest Store to outfit your suite with whatever you want.
The Cafés are independent enough to run smoothly, so we can take heat leave anytime.
Of course, we want to be with you during your heat.
" I let out a sigh, feeling my muscles relax.
"But…" Connor starts and I tense back up again.
He begins smoothing his hand up and down my back.
"But we also want to talk about bonding. "
Bonding? They want to talk about bonding? With me?
Of course, they do, my omega chastises me internally. They've made it clear that they want us. An intricate part of the omega's role in the pack is to bond with them.
Bonding involves the guys claiming me with a bite somewhere on my body, and then I would do the same to each of them, one at a time.
This process creates a psychic link between us, allowing me to sense their feelings and some of their thoughts while they gain the same connection with each other.
This bonding brings the pack together on the deepest, most spiritual level.
This is another thing I've only considered seriously since I met them, and only have the most basic understanding from texts and books. Before, I'd never thought I would be in a bond.
"I've been thinking about bonding," I admit. Seth twitches as if he might tackle me on the bed but stills with a quelling look from Connor. I can't hide a smile. Seth has absolutely no sense of subtlety.
"We've been reading some books about bonding and omegas, and it seems that the best time to bond is at the end of the heat. It's a lot of medical terminology, but it would provide you with the most health benefits," Bax admits.
They're worried about whether it would help me the most?
I tackle Seth, rolling onto him and pinning him between my body and the bed like a sandwich.
I need someone to hug me wild, and I can feel him practically vibrating out of his skin.
They're all so caring of me. Seth laughs, and Connor and Bax join us in a group cuddle.
"I'd like to think on it more," I admit. "But I'm open to the idea, and edging into consent territory."
Bax laughs. His voice is rich and velvety. "We want you to think about it. If you're not ready, we will understand and back off." We've all come apart, and Bax is very pointed in his words toward the others, who nod. I know that they'd never pressure me.
"Precious, this is real for us. I know you're meant to be part of our pack. It's not just the scent sensitivity. You fit with us so seamlessly. Everything is so much better when you're in the room. Even when you're just in our office, and we're getting work done, our lives are lighter," Seth says.
"But, will you move into the suite? If it's not your regular living area, having your omega here for the heat might frighten and confuse her," Seth says.
I know that that's right from my own research and experience.
My omega subconscious would take over when in heat, making conscious thought difficult, if not nearly impossible.
My first heat after moving in with Nick had only been a few days later, and my omega had broken many things in her confusion and fear of an unknown place that she hadn't considered her nest yet.
"I'd like that. To move in," I say, nodding.
I feel them all relax into the bed, their presence warming me like a gentle embrace.
I let out a soft yawn, unable to fight it.
The week had weighed heavily on my shoulders, and now, with them all with me, I can finally let go.
As they settle in closer, their soothing purrs wrap around me.
I'd thought our first time in the suite might lead to some play, but they understand the depths of my exhaustion better than I do.
As the gentle vibrations of their purrs resonate through the air, a sense of calm washes over me.
Their quiet companionship promises safety and affection.
I find it nearly impossible to keep my eyes open and drift into the most blissful sleep I've ever known, cradled by love and utter contentment.