Chapter 36
Chapter Thirty-Six
Sage
It has to be perfect. These alphas are under some delusion that I’m a good omega, and this is my chance to prove it to them.
The wallpaper wasn’t too hard to get up once I figured it out.
It’s peel and stick, so as soon as Vee brought me a ladder, it went up relatively painlessly with only a few mishaps.
I texted the group chat a request for a drill this morning, and it was delivered to my door with a box of nails, a box of screws, and a set of drill bits.
I didn’t actually know how to use any of them, but there were instructions on the curtain rods we got, and I read them carefully before proceeding.
The curtains were hung by the time Vee finally convinced me to take a food break.
Turns out, she was right, and I’m re-energized after stuffing my face with the best lunch I’ve ever had.
I stick the empty tray back outside my door, wipe up the dust from drilling, then hang the ceiling drapes and twinkle lights.
As soon as I’m done with the ladder, I shove it outside the door too, then wipe everything down again.
Next, I tackle the bedding. I huff as I tug it onto the recessed mattress, but once it’s on, I sigh as I take in the pretty midnight blue color.
It’s all coming together, my restlessness is starting to settle as the nest takes shape around me.
I prop a bunch of pillows around the walls, then wrinkle my nose when I step back to look.
They’re not right, so I rearrange them, fluffing and trying out different combinations until my inner omega is happy.
The blankets come next, and I let my instincts guide me as I shuffle around, twisting and pulling, tucking and tugging, rearranging until they all feel right.
I place the croissant from Riley front and center, but I don’t like how out in the open it is there.
Too vulnerable.
I snag it and tuck it into a stack of pillows along the side so it’s peeking out. Sitting back on my heels, I nod. Much better.
Then I do the same with my lamb stuffy on the other side of the bed.
Last, I pull out my bag of trinkets. The gifts from Brooks during all of my walks. I smile as I take each one out, stroking and petting them, letting the early memories of our courting flit through my mind.
There’s a set of small shelves on the wall by the bathroom, and I bite my lip as I place each item. The grass heart, now faded and brittle, I handle with care. The sparkly pink rock, a tiny pressed daisy, and the string of crystal beads he told me were for protection.
They all get a place of honor on the shelf where I can see them from anywhere in the room.
The phone I still use all the time, and the locket from Neveah is normally around my neck now that I can wear it without fear of it being taken from me.
When everything is where it should be, I heave an exhausted sigh, then stand back to take in my new nest.
Only… Something is missing.
I frown, hands on my hips as I stand in the middle of the nest and slowly turn in a circle, inspecting each pillow and blanket and cushion and crevice.
They’re all in place. Nothing even needs a slight twitch.
I huff, and then it hits me.
It doesn’t smell right.
I jerk toward the door and fling it open, then stumble out into the hall and straight into a wall of muscle.
“Whoa, Petal. You okay? I was coming to get you for a late dinner.”
“I’m almost done, not yet. I just need a couple more things.” My words are rushed, and he bends down to search my face.
“Okay, slow down. What do you need?”
I tug at his shirt, my hands fisting in the fabric. It’s perfect, worn and soft, and smelling like him.
“You need our scents?”
“Yes,” I nod. “I want this shirt.”
He chuckles, then reaches one hand behind his head to tug it off.
“Whoa,” Riley’s voice sounds from behind me. “Got here just in time for the show, huh?”
I turn on them next, reaching for their cozy looking lounge pants. Brooks starts laughing when he sees what I’m going for.
My fingers tuck into the waistband, and Riley’s eyes flare.
“I mean, I won’t say no, but should we talk about this first?”
“She needs our scents in her nest,” Brooks says. “She just wants your pants.”
“Oh,” Riley says, amused. “I mean, I’m happy to let you have them, but don’t look if you don’t want an eyeful.”
I absolutely do want an eyeful, so I don’t turn away.
“Okay, then,” Riley says, then strips off his pants.
I stare at the hard outline of his cock through his tight, short boxers. Brooks groans in approval behind me, and Riley’s cock twitches.
“You both gotta look somewhere else,” Riley says, putting one hand over his dick, and the other over his own eyes, for some reason.
“Now this was not what I expected to see when—” Vee says, but she cuts off when I launch myself at her.
This is perfect. All of my scent matches right here with exactly what I need.
I paw at her flowing top and cotton shorts, but instead of giving me what I need, she snatches my wrists in one hand and whirls me around, caging me against her body.
“Care to tell me what’s going on up here, sweet thing?”
I growl, and Riley’s eyes widen.
“Vee, I think you should let her go,” he whispers.
Vee’s head tilts against mine, and I yank my arms against her strong hold. She lets go after only a moment, and I spin around.
“I need them,” I say, a whine seeping into my voice as I reach out for her clothing again.
“Okay, Sweetling. Okay.”
She undresses, passing the entire colorful bundle to me and leaving herself in a mesh bra and underwear.
I start to turn back to my nest, then freeze, looking back at her.
My eyes drink her in, from toes to afro and back down again.
Long legs and arms, sculpted muscles from working on the farm.
The most beautiful rich brown skin and toned abs.
A neatly trimmed bush at the apex of her thighs and full, round breasts with dark nipples that are hardening under my gaze. Defined collarbones and a slender neck.
Slick pools between my thighs and I’d be dripping if I wasn’t wearing underwear.
“Like what you see, pretty omega?” Vee asks, her voice husky.
My mouth is dry as sand and I gulp, then spin around and flee back into my nest with my prizes. I cannot handle how hot she is right now, not when my omega brain is already fried from nesting all day.
A few minutes later, a knock sounds on the door.
“Petal, we brought more clothes for you if you want them. You can also pass out some of the blankets or pillows if you want us to scent mark them.”
Genius. My alpha is a thoughtful, kind, super smart genius.
I jerk upright and sort through the pillows, picking the perfect items for each person. Then I crack the door and shove them out one at a time.
“Brooks.” I pass him two pillows and a blanket.
“Riley.” Two blankets.
“Alpha.” Four pillows.
They hand each item back one by one, and they’re all perfect. I tuck them back into their spots, take the clothing I want from Brooks’ offerings, and then finally collapse onto my back.
It’s done.
My nest is done.