Chapter 29
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Aries
It had been two weeks since the guys had moved in. We’d established a bit of a routine and it finally felt like my pack was here.
Work had been a bit strange. We’d had more than one newcomer pay for a guest pass, but they never stayed more than a session or two. No one made us feel as uneasy as that first set, but Nik stuck to his word that someone would be with me and I made sure Cassie was never alone.
Syrus assured me he was keeping an eye out, but for some reason I felt uneasy, like a storm was on the horizon and we were just waiting for it to hit.
Maybe that was my natural pessimism. Things in life didn’t go well or easy for me. There was always something waiting around the corner.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Luca asked. So far, he’d kept his distance. He was interested, I could tell that, but he was careful. It felt like he didn’t want to go too fast, especially with two other strong alpha personalities in the mix and the beta who had my heart before they arrived.
I pushed away the laptop I was barely looking at. It was my second attempt at browsing nest options but I hated them all.
“I’m not so good at being content, apparently," I deadpanned. “My anxiety keeps spiking like there’s something going on that I just don’t see.”
“I wonder if you’re picking up on our tension,” he said, looking worried. They’d been tracking this mole for the past weeks, but whoever it was had covered their tracks.
“Maybe,” I sighed. “Either way, I need a distraction or I’m going to lose my mind.”
“Leon should be up soon. Maybe we should go nest shopping? I found a few stores that aren’t far,” he said. “If we take the van, there will be plenty of space. The benches fold down in there.”
“I don't know. I haven’t had much luck looking online,” I admitted. Maybe my mother was right and I wasn’t cut out to be an omega.
“That’s not shopping. Come on, go get ready,” he directed, voice more firm now. “If we get there and you hate it, we’ll leave and do something else.”
He waited patiently for me to fight with myself internally before I finally gave in. My shoulders sagged and I nodded, but his answering smile lit up his face. Out of my alphas, Luca was the softest. He was quiet and watchful, but had a boyish quality to his face that was adorable.
Right now, his warm brown eyes were excited, even though he was trying hard to keep it under wraps. The control this group had was insane, their training must be brutal.
Unless the Crows were more of a trial by fire kind of group.
“You get ready, I’ll handle the rest,” he said, pecking my lips. The move seemed to startle us both, his eyes shocked and cheeks going ruddy. I didn’t want him to take steps back when my omega was already craving more of him, so I leaned in and kissed him back. Only with more intention.
Then I turned and rushed to get ready. I wasn’t an omega who loved shopping. Crowded places and people weren’t my thing. The only crowd I tolerated was weekend nights at Club 21.
I pulled on an oversized sweater I’d stolen from Leon and a pair of comfortable leggings. It was a very cliché omega outfit but I couldn’t help myself. I needed the comfort.
Not to mention every day I spent with my pack it felt like they drew her out more and more. How had I not realized how dormant she was?
Between my mother teaching me through pain that being an omega was a curse, and my designation being sold to the highest bidder through Gideon, at some point I’d shoved her far away where she was safe.
When I finally made my way downstairs, after a solid pep talk to myself, the guys were waiting by the door.
“Ready?” Luca asked. I could read between the lines. He was checking in, and from the worry in his tone he’d call this whole thing off if I said the word.
“Ready,” I confirmed, forcing a smile. They didn’t call me on my obvious lie as we piled in the van. Nik and Luca took the front, sandwiching me in the back with Leon and Ronan. My nerves settled as our scents mixed together, strong enough I didn’t even have to take deep breaths to breathe them in.
“Why the long face? I thought omegas dreamt of shopping like this,” Ronan asked, part teasing, part genuine.
“I don’t like crowds, and I’ve never had a nest,” I said. He reached over and wound our fingers together, looking at them and not me, as if he knew I was vulnerable and couldn’t take it.
I swear under his cocky demeanor was a sweet alpha. Just a bit stabby, too.
“Well, then it’s time we make one and create a few positive memories in it so you can make it your safe space,” he said definitively, like he’d already figured out the solution and the rest of us needed to get on board.
For once, I didn’t argue. I just settled back in the seat, breathing in their scents, both my hands wrapped in theirs, and hoping for the best.
The next thing I knew Leon’s fingers were trailing down my cheek. “We’re here.”
I blinked open my eyes to take in a smaller nesting store than I anticipated. Confused, I glanced over at the guys.
“You don’t do crowds, so I paid off the store for a private shopping experience,” Luca said.
I expected that kind of behavior from Ronan, not him, but I felt a grin taking over my face. They’d listened to my fears and found something that would make it so much easier to face.
“That's so sweet, and such a waste of money,” I said, biting back a smile.
“You’re worth it, so it’s not a waste,” Luca said simply before climbing out. He opened Ronan’s door and all but shoved the alpha out of the way to get to me, holding out a hand. “Shall we?”
This time, I didn’t hesitate. My hand slid into his and I let him pull me toward the door.
A female omega met us at the door. Thankfully, her scent was blocked because not only was I feeling vulnerable, but I was possessive.
I swallowed down my own growl, ignoring Nik’s low chuckle in my ear. The omega didn’t seem to notice, her smile bright, but that fake customer service one that felt detached enough I settled.
“Welcome in,” she greeted, talking directly to me. “Your pack said you prefer a ‘hands off’ approach. You can grab a cart and grab what you find, bring full carts up here if you go over, and I’ll be up front, just holler if you need help.”
With that, she turned and let us do our thing. I let out a breath as she walked away, before finally taking in the store. It wasn’t as small as I thought, and it seemed to be separated by themes. My eyes were immediately drawn to the red velvet I spotted in the back corner.
I set off in that direction, weaving through the many shelves. Occasionally, other pieces stood out and I’d admire them for a second. The guys didn’t think I noticed how they put them in the cart if I lingered, but I let them have this win.
It was as gorgeous as I thought. There was a long, velvet wall canopy that draped down over the nest. The blankets and pillows were an array of scarlet and deep tones that worked perfectly together.
“This one,” I breathed out, my fingers trailing over the plush velvety fabric. My omega surged forward, a soft sigh escaping my lips that was pure happiness.
“It’s yours,” Luca promised, reaching for the shelf next to the display and dropping one or a few of everything into the waiting carts that Ronan and Nikolai already had waiting. My body tensed as I watched it, but I didn’t fight it.
Ronan watched me as they worked, though he stayed silent until the carts were loaded.
“Why don’t you and Luca go back to the fitting rooms and clothes section. They have some omega-worthy outfits back there.”
“Come on, he’s offering a distraction so you don’t freak out about the price,” Luca whispered as he hooked my arm through his and led me to the farthest spot from the register.
I hated clothes shopping. Every other time I found a set I liked and bought them in multiple colors. I was a simple omega.
The racks were full of oversized sweaters and cute and sexy pajama sets. This time I snagged a few I thought would fit, tossing them into a nearby basket. When I had a few I grabbed an outfit and headed for the dressing room.
It couldn’t hurt to try on one and I could use a bit of fun.
I slid out of my sweater and leggings, trying on the crop top and short set I’d found. Still cozy, but cute.
When I pushed the door open, Luca was there. HIs eyes trailed over, lingering on the strip of skin I’d exposed.
The moment his eyes found mine, I moved, my omega surging forward as we yanked him into the room with us. My nose was running over his neck as I held him against the door.
“Omega,” he warned. “You have to stop. My control is shit right now.”
“Good,” I purred in his ear, nipping at the lobe, my fingers trailing down to find the hem of his jeans. I quickly unbuttoned them before shoving them and his boxers down enough for his cock to spring free.
My fingers wrapped around, a deep rumble echoing out of him in response. Our scents were drenching the store and we were absolutely going to be banned from returning.
It didn’t matter. I needed this.
“You guys wanted me to have a positive experience. Then give me one, alpha.”
I shed the outfit quickly, tossing it over the door where I knew the basket was waiting.
“Got it,” Ronan husked. “We’ll go distract the cashier and buy these. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.”
“So, nothing’s off limits,” I mused, earning a chuckle before his footsteps receded. The fact we had an audience a second ago only had my pussy dripping more.
“You like this, don’t you,” Luca growled, his fingers teasing over my slick pussy, finding me dripping.
“Yes,” I breathed out.
“The idea of them listening, scenting exactly what I’m doing to you?”
“Mmh, yes,” I groaned as he scooped me up. I reached between us, lining him up before slamming my hips down on him. I wasn’t here for sweet and gentle. I needed a quick fuck. He pressed me against the one stable wall in here before pounding into me.
His knot was already swelling and I met his thrust with enough force that it popped past my body’s resistance, filling that void I was desperate to fill.
I muffled my cries on his shoulder, my teeth teasing over his scent gland.
“Bite me, Aries. Claim me,” he demanded. Who knew my quiet alpha was so demanding?
His fingers found my clit, adding pressure as I rocked my hips.
I was so turned on that it didn’t take much before I was coming, my orgasm pulsing through me as my pussy clenched around him.
My omega wasn’t going to wait, our teeth sinking right into his neck, claiming this alpha with enough force the coppery tang of his blood filled my mouth.
When I pulled away I soothed my tongue over it, his body shuddering as his pleasure pulsed through the bond.
His hand found my hair, yanking me off of him and forcing my head to the side. There were no sweet words before his teeth sank into my shoulder, marking me as his.
The moment the bond snapped into place my body tensed, another orgasm breaking free and flooding the bond with pure, raw bliss.
He came with me this time, his knot locking us together and keeping every drop deep in my greedy pussy.
My chest was aching with the amount of happiness I felt in the moment. The nest shopping was great, but this made it all worth it. Another mate claimed by my omega, one I couldn’t even second guess.
He was mine now, and she was damn proud of it.
We stayed there, clinging together until his knot finally went down. Then he tucked himself away, dropped to his knees, and helped me into my own underwear and pants. Thanks to my overly wobbly legs.
When we were decent, we hurried out of the shop. I didn’t even spare the girl at the counter a second glance as we walked through the doors.
All I could think about was my nest and my pack. The rest of the world could fuck right off.