Chapter 25
Chapter twenty-five
Solana
I sit wrapped up in a fluffy towel on the kitchen counter, my legs dangling over the edge while Kade stands behind me working on my hair. My body is still a little tired after waking up in the nest, that bone-deep exhaustion that comes from my first real knotting settling into my muscles.
But more than tired, I'm disappointed that Dustin wasn't there when I opened my eyes.
The nest felt empty without him, even with Kade's arms wrapped around me and his scent surrounding us.
I tried not to show it, trying to be understanding when Kade explained that Dustin had to step out for a family emergency.
But my Omega instincts didn't care about rational explanations.
They just knew that one of my Alphas was missing, and that felt wrong.
Kade gave me a full shower after I woke, even washing my individual braids with this lavender mint shampoo that smelled incredible and made the hair exceptionally soft.
I'd never had anyone wash my hair for me before; the sensation of his strong fingers massaging my scalp almost enough to put me back to sleep right there in the shower.
Now he's drying them with the towel, working section by section with patience I didn't know he possessed. His hands move with surprising ease as he starts braiding my individual braids up into a larger style, gathering them at the crown of my head and weaving them together.
I tilt my head back slightly to look up at him, curious about this unexpected skill. "When did you ever learn to do that?"
Kade's expression softens, something almost vulnerable flickering across his face. "Before my mother passed, she always told me that I had to know just in case I'd use it someday. That you never know when you'll need to help someone you care about with their hair."
His hands pause for just a moment, the memory clearly affecting him more than he wants to show before he continues. "I've never had to know how to braid until this moment," he adds on, his voice quieter now. "But I like it. It's relaxing. Meditative, almost."
The idea that Kade's mother taught him this skill years ago, preparing him for a future she might not be around to see, and now he's using it to care for me feels significant in ways I don't have words for. "I really like your hands in my hair," I say honestly, leaning back into his touch.
Kade presses a kiss to the top of my head, his lips lingering there for a moment. "Why don't you go find something to wear and then I—"
My face scrunches up at the thought of having to choose something from that closet.
"Ah," Kade says, understanding immediately. He finishes securing the braid style and helps me down from the counter, keeping a steadying hand on my waist as we walk toward the guest bedroom.
The room looks different than it did yesterday.
Gone is the sparse, empty feeling that made me so uncomfortable.
Now there's a closet full of dresses that Dustin picked out, the rainbow of colors visible even from the doorway.
Kade moves to the closet and starts fiddling with the clothing there, his brow furrowing slightly as he takes in the sheer volume.
Kade pulls out a multi-colored dress that’s mostly blues and purples swirled together, with strappy shoulders and a flowing skirt that looks soft and comfortable.
The neckline hangs a little low, not scandalously so but enough to show some skin.
I smile at it immediately, my fingers reaching out to touch the fabric. "That one's pretty."
"It is," Kade agrees, bringing it over to where I'm standing.
He slowly undoes my towel, the fabric falling away to leave me bare in front of him. I should probably feel self-conscious standing naked in the guest room, but I don't. Not with Kade. He's already seen every inch of me, already been inside me in the most intimate way possible.
Kade helps me into the dress, his hands sliding the fabric up my body and settling it into place. His fingers linger on my shoulders as he adjusts the straps, then his hands move to cup my neck, his thumbs resting against my jaw as he tilts my head up toward him.
He draws a kiss from me and I lean into him, feeling so much closer than I did yesterday.
The heat has changed something between us, broken down barriers I didn't even know I had.
Yesterday I was terrified. Today I'm his. The shift is subtle but profound, settling into my bones with a clarity that wouldn’t have made sense to me a few weeks ago.
A sound at the window interrupts us. I pull back from Kade and look over to see Dustin there, his face pressed against the glass with the biggest grin I've ever seen. He bangs excitedly on the window before opening it, practically bouncing with excitement.
"Hey, Solana, baby, I got you a present!"
A giggle bubbles up from my chest. "Why won't you come in?"
Dustin holds up his hands, showing me that they're absolutely filthy.
There's dirt under his nails and what looks like hay stuck to his clothes.
He's a whole mess, covered in evidence of whatever he's been doing for the past hour.
"Because I get in trouble tracking mud in the house. Kade has rules about that."
The idea of Kade having house rules that Dustin actually follows makes me laugh.
I move toward the front of the house, Kade following close behind me.
My heart races with anticipation, wondering what kind of present would require Dustin to stay outside.
I barely make it out to the porch, before a frown takes over my face because I don’t see anything.
Just Dustin standing there grinning like an idiot, covered in dirt and looking incredibly pleased with himself.
Then I look past him and my breath catches in my throat.
Standing in the front yard is the most adorable black and white cow I've ever seen. He’s got a beautiful shaggy coat, his big eyes watching me with gentle curiosity as his tail swishes back and forth.
"What the fuck did you do?" Kade's voice comes from behind me, a mixture of exasperation and amusement coloring his tone.
Dustin's grin somehow gets even bigger. "I felt bad for leaving, so when I came back from being with Stefan, I had to get her something. So I did!"
"Stefan?" Kade's voice sharpens slightly, clearly catching on to something important in that statement.
"I'll tell you later," Dustin waves off the question, his attention fully on me. "But Solana, you like it, right?"
I'm already moving toward the cow before I can think about it, drawn by the sweet face and gentle presence. I step up to him slowly, reaching out to pet his fuzzy head. He's so soft, his coat thick and fluffy beneath my palm.
"All mine?" My voice comes out small and hopeful, barely believing that something this wonderful could actually belong to me.
The cow makes a small sound, not quite a full moo but close. I drop to my knees on the grass, not caring that the hem of my new dress is probably getting dirty. My hands stroke along his neck and shoulders, feeling the warmth of him through the thick coat.
He gives me another little moo, the sound absolutely precious as I grin up at Dustin.
"The bull is all yours," Dustin confirms, his dimples showing as he smiles down at me. "You just have to name him."
The cow moos again, as if agreeing with the plan.
I run through several names, none of them sounding right when I whisper them out, before landing on one that’s delightfully stupid.
"Moo-Shu," I say, testing it out. The cow looks at me like he approves and then I frown, something Dustin saying finally registering. “Wait… it’s a bull? I thought they were all cows.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him close. He tolerates the affection with patience, standing still while I press my face into his soft coat. Dustin lets out a soft laugh. “Bulls are male and cows are female.”
My nose scrunches up as I shake my head. “Moo-Shu is still a cow in my head. Look! He’s even fluffy!”
Dustin just sighs. “Then he’s a cow.” A chuckle follows his word as I give Moo-Shu a few pets, Kade’s voice carrying across the yard.
"You're too impulsive," Kade says, but there's no real heat in the words. "How many cows are we going to end up with if this is your solution every time you leave?"
"But she loves him!" Dustin argues, laughter evident in his voice. "Look at her face. How can you be mad when our Omega’s that happy?"
I look up from where I'm kneeling with the cow, catching the playful bickering between them. There's so much affection in the way they talk to each other, teasing and joking even when they're pretending to argue.
Kade's expression shifts into something more predatory as he looks at Dustin. "I think I'm going to go give you a shower as punishment. Did you fucking wrestle the goddamn cow to get him here?"
Dustin laughs, throwing his hands up in defense. "No! I bought him like a gentleman! The ranch helped deliver him and everything."
"Then how did you get so dirty?" Kade challenges, moving closer to Dustin with clear intent in his expression.
"I was grooming him!" Dustin protests, backing up slightly. "I wanted him to look perfect for Solana."
I blush at the admission, warmth spreading through my chest. He went to all that trouble, buying the cow and grooming him and bringing him here, all because he felt bad about leaving me alone.
Kade pushes out a chuckle, his shoulders moving with the sound. "We'll be back in a little bit, sweetheart. You hang with Moo-Shu, get acquainted. I need to have a talk with the little Alpha."
The way he says it makes it clear that "talk" is code for something else entirely. Heat flares in Kade's eyes as he looks at Dustin, the promise of what's coming evident in his expression.
"Don't be mean," I say, suddenly worried that Dustin is actually in trouble. "I really like the cow, okay? Dustin didn't do anything wrong."
Dustin's grin turns wicked, his eyes dancing with amusement. "No, Kade is never mean. Maybe a little firm but don't worry, I like it."
Kade sifts a hand into Dustin's hair and pulls back slightly, making Dustin's head tilt at an angle that exposes his throat. Dustin lets out a groan that makes my core clench with renewed heat, the sound so full of want that my body responds automatically.
"Dusty here likes it a lot," Kade says, his voice dropping into a low register that makes both of us shiver.
He guides Dustin toward the house with that grip in his hair, Dustin following willingly despite his protests.
I watch them go, seeing the easy dominance Kade exhibits and the way Dustin submits to it without hesitation.
The dynamic between them is beautiful, natural in ways that make me understand why they work so well together.
The door closes behind them and I'm left alone with my new cow. I turn back to him, taking in his sweet face and gentle eyes. He’s already settled down in the grass beside me, his legs folded underneath his body.
I reach out to stroke his head again, my fingers running through the soft fur. "I've never really gotten presents before," I tell him quietly. "At Harmony House, we didn't get anything. No birthdays, no holidays, nothing. And now these Alphas have given me so much in just a few days."
The cow makes a soft sound like he understands, as I experimentally lean against his side. "Dresses and pillows and a nest and now you," I continue, listing out everything they've given me. "They keep giving and giving without asking for anything back. It's so different from what I expected."
Moo-Shu shifts slightly, adjusting his position so I can lean more comfortably against him.
The gesture feels intentional, like he knows I need the contact right now.
A grin takes over my face as I realize that Dustin’s given me and Moo-Shu a new start on life.
"I'm going to show you everything, Moo-Shu. Everything."