Chapter 32
NOA
A Few Weeks Later
Nest Supply is probably the biggest store I have ever seen. Even against all the fabric stores I’ve ever been to, none of them touch Nest Supply. The car comes to a stop, and as much as I’d love to jump out of the car, I hesitate.
My hand is covering the handle of Thorne’s car. The guys pile out of the car. It’s always hard for an alpha to fit in the backseat, and I’m feeling bad as I realize they always pile into this car just for me.
It’s a small but enjoyable ride and, more importantly, I have the best memories in this car. I don’t think I can let it go.
Thorne opens my door but steps inside the open space so I can’t get out. His green eyes pierce mine as he leans down, his arm over the top of the door. “We don’t have to do this today.”
I wait before answering. This is my dream. One of my lifetime goals, and I’m nervous. What girl is nervous about shopping?
Except it’s not just shopping. It’s nest shopping.
Shopping at my alpha’s expense, for things that’ll go into my safe space, my nest at my new home.
Taking a deep breath, I stare up at Thorne, his scent and presence settling me as I nod my head. The smile forming is one of true happiness as I step out of the car and stare at the big sign.
My heels click against the cement, my omega bursting at the seams with happiness as my alphas surround me. The automatic doors open, and the metallic scent blockers wafting over us excite me as I take in the store.
An associate, dressed in a bright vest, steps up beside us out of nowhere and hands Silas a tablet, telling him to scan all the items we wish to purchase.
The associate explains that the warehouse will collect our selections and have them prepared for shipment to our house once payment is received.
I stand silently behind Silas as they talk. Taking in the store from right here.
I can’t remove my eyes from the mountain of blankets and pillows that scream to be touched. The colors, the textures, all scream out at me, and I can feel the rising blush under my skin as I clasp my hands together. It’s almost time.
I smooth down my already smooth hair as I follow Thorne’s lead. He guides our little huddle down the store’s first aisle. The store is mapped out like a trail to be followed, with the building blocks of a nest spread out in an order they deem most common.
The store starts with the bed frames, and honestly, I see why people would start here first, but… I like the frame already in my nest. The pillow-like frame that’s low to the floor is perfect. I—I wanna skip to the fun part.
Sliding my hand into Thorne’s and turning him around this time towards the first row of sheets. I’ll start here. The store setup is very similar to mine at Cozy Bear Blankets, with the colors cascading down the aisles following the colors of the rainbow.
Havoc and I discussed which colors I like, and I don’t want to stick with beige, neutral colors. I want to be loud and beautiful and represent myself. Comfortable, and finally setting roots in a safe space that’ll be mine forever.
The colors I want are obvious, but the textures, the textures make this complicated. My hand freezes over the first blanket. A pastel orange—a color I love, but I’m just too nervous to touch.
“Touch that one,” Thorne says, pointing to a pure cotton sheet. Slowly, I step toward the sheet in the display box, my hand hovering again, and I chuckle as Thorne slides his hand over mine, interlocking our fingers.
Pressing down, we feel it together. These sheets would be fine, but under my hand, I know it’ll be too hot for me.
I shake my head no and move on to the next set, bamboo sheets.
It’s what I had at… my previous home. Bamboo will keep me cool, and during my heat I’m already running so hot.
I look to Silas, who already has the tablet, scanning the sheets under my hand—a beautiful pink color.
My eyes gaze around the store. Everything is jumping out at me, and I sigh as the creative juices overpower my nerves. I should have made a mood board.
My hands fly; peaches, creams, pinks, greens, and reds are flying under my hands.
I know our bill is racking up, but with each encouraging smile and nod from my alpha’s, I keep going.
I was gonna limit myself to just three blankets, but now they are picking out blankets too, and I can’t stop the flow.
They keep adding and suggesting different uses for the ten blankets in our online cart, saying I need some for the bed, the floor, and the walls, and some for around the house.
“This one is for you,” I say, picking up one of the hunter green blankets and holding it up to Havoc’s chest. It’s polyester, but I don’t mind since it’s unusually soft.
Running my thumb over it, I already see signs of wear, and I scrunch my eyebrows in frustration.
It won’t last, and that thought makes me uncomfortable.
I take the blanket back from Havoc’s hand. “Wait, no.”
Havoc grunts as I place the blanket back down.
I dash into another aisle, looking for higher-quality fabrics; my alphas follows patiently behind me.
Peeking a look at them, I can’t help the warm, gushy feeling in my chest as I see them.
They all smile, having as much fun as I am, and I can’t help the near scream I release, turning around and running into them.
My arms wide as I attempt to hug them all.
Silas is smiling, as our leader both in the Pack and in social settings.
My outgoing king, who can talk his way into and out of everything.
Thorne, my grumpy protector, who is always checking in with me, always watching my cues, and more than happy to follow me side by side.
And Havoc, my gentle giant, who will do anything and everything for me.
Who loves me in every way he can and shows me every single time why he’s my scent match.
Ugh, I love them so much.
“That’s gonna be a lot of washing,” Thorne says as he pulls the car into the garage, past the giant moving truck.
I know I was selecting a lot, but seeing the truck full of complete color and fluffiness for my nest hit me square in the chest. Tears well up in my eyes, but I don’t let them fall.
This day will be etched in my memory as one of the best days ever.
“Good thing we have a brand new washer and dryer then, huh?” Silas jokes as he rounds the car and opens my door. “Despite my not having a job anymore, maybe that wasn’t the best purchase.”
“Maybe we should return some blankets then–” I say all coy, knowing he’d never do such a thing.
“That is an expense I’d drop every last penny on, happily,” he says, kissing my lips.
“What do we do while they unload everything?” I ask as we enter the house.
“I could eat. How about you?” Silas asks, taking my hand, as he always does, bringing a smile to my face as he leads me to the kitchen. “How about a frozen pizza?”
“How about I just make one?” Thorne scoffs as his hands slide across my lower back, and as I slide onto the barstool at the kitchen island.
“Maybe we can help,” I say, getting up, but Thorne waves a hand for me to sit back down. I laugh as they comment that Silas is a danger in the kitchen.
Thorne gathers ingredients to make the dough from scratch. My stomach, my loud and embarrassing stomach, growls, and of course, he hears it and puts it back, pulling out pre-made dough. My face flushes as he pulls out the seasonings and toppings as the oven heats.
“I can wait,” I start, but Havoc slides onto the stool next to me and shakes his head no. I laugh, wondering how I got so lucky.
I slide my hand into his and rest them on the island as Silas teases Thorne by grabbing his ass and kissing any exposed skin Thorne has, as he moves around the kitchen.
Otis comes trotting into the kitchen, clearly upset by the people in his house. “Aw, baby boy wants to go outside?” I say as he rests his head in my hand. His tail wags as I scratch the top of his head; his big brown eyes melt my heart.
“Okay, let’s go,” I say, bouncing towards the back, pretending Otis is the only one who doesn’t like people going in and out of the house. The noise of doors constantly opening and shutting grates on my ears, so I take the excuse to leave.
My alphas know me well; I hear them laughing on my way out of the room.
Havoc follows me out. Otis takes off the moment the door is open, and I step toward the pergola right next to our studio shed.
Sitting in the metal chair, Havoc sits next to me, taking my hand in his, and I smile as we watch Otis run in circles.
Thorne and Silas soon follow, our comfortable silence interrupted in the best way with Silas’s teasing and Thorne’s grumbling. We all sit at the round metal table, under the fairy lights, and I’m hit with a settling in my chest I never knew I craved.
The sense of family. A genuine family. All of us together and happy.
They’ve given me everything, and I’m so happy to call the Gray Pack mine.