Chapter 15
Wren
“Idon’t need you to feed me, Teddy.” I giggle, swatting his hand away as he tries to hand-feed me a bite of mashed potatoes.
My stomach is still feeling a little weak after not eating for days, so I’m trying to take it slow, with easy to digest foods. After the guys gave me my courting gift, we spent the rest of the afternoon in the nest, easy conversation and comfort floating between us.
Ethan and Teddy had argued over what other book subscriptions are best for the e-reader they got me, and Brennan got out a bag of clothes, showing me each one and letting me feel the fabric before putting them away.
Each item was soft, and had the “Nesting Co.” brand label on it.
I can’t even explain how it made me feel to have these men provide me with clothing that wouldn’t make me feel like crawling out of my own skin.
When I expressed as much, the looks of rage that passed over each of their features—not at me, but at my parents for forcing me to live in a constant state of distress. There was even a tirade from Ethan about how textures affect an omega’s nervous system.
Maverick had disappeared for a little bit before returning and informing me there would be a doctor that he trusted implicitly coming to check on me tomorrow.
Despite the fact that I hate doctors—or at least, my family’s doctor, I couldn’t bring myself to feel nervous.
I’ve never felt more comfortable and cared for.
In fact, I think I might want to wear animal onesies for the rest of my life.
“Can’t ‘elp it, Dove,” Teddy grins in my ear as he grabs my hand and keeps it from moving. “It’s an alpha thing.”
Rolling my eyes, I open my mouth, and let him push the spoon past my lips.
“Shit, that is good,” I nearly moan. “So much better than the salads and nonfat yogurt Mother would force on me.”
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good salad. But when it’s your lunch and dinner every single day, a girl gets a little hungry.
Teddy hushes me. “Don’t say that, Dove, or Ethan will get an even bigger ‘ead.” He nods at the alpha across the table, whose chest is puffed up, and a proud look is on his face. “‘E’s already gonna be insufferable knowin’ he’s feedin’ you your first meal of freedom.”
My eyes widen. Really? Alphas care about…feeding me?
“You like steak?” Maverick asks, cutting into his chicken. “I’ll make you a good, juicy steak.”
“Oh.” My cheeks flush. “I…I don’t know. Only my parents were allowed to have it—Mother said I needed to stick to salads. Egg whites and spinach for breakfast.”
Maverick’s face turns dark. “Your parents…they ate full meals in front of you while you had to stick to…lettuce?”
“It wasn’t just lettuce,” I shrug, letting Teddy feed me another bite.
“There were tomatoes, sometimes a little bit of chicken. Cucumbers…carrots, maybe.” I shrug again.
It’s not like vegetables are bad for you.
“After I hit puberty, Mother switched up my diet. I was allowed to eat the same meals as my parents before, but…I don’t know.
I must have started gaining weight because then Mother hired a nutritionist. And then it only got worse once they started talking about making me the face of Nest Luxe. ” I shiver.
“A nutritionist?” Brennan’s brows shoot up. “Did…did you ever meet this nutritionist? Did they talk to you? Look at you?”
“No.” I frown. Why would they do any of that?
“Then either she didn’t really get a nutritionist,” Brennan’s voice is on edge as he stabs some of his cooked carrots with a fork, “or she hired a quack.”
My mouth gapes. What…why would Mother do any of that? She wouldn’t have needed to lie about it, considering I always did whatever she said anyway.
“I’ll make us all steaks,” Maverick cuts in, his voice gruff as he cuts Brennan a look. “Tender and juicy, you’re gonna love it.”
I smile. I think I’d like anything these alphas cook for me. The difference between Pack Caruso and these guys is staggering.
Not that I thought Teddy or his friends would be anything like Pack Caruso, but now, having experienced life with both of them…
“What are you smiling about, Little Bird?” Ethan asks, his own smile on his face.
“Just thinking about how different it is here than it was with Pack Caruso.” I shake my head. “Just…I was expected to cook and clean for them, but you’re here cooking for me.”
“Real alphas cook for their omegas.” Ethan winks at me, and my cheeks flush as I look down. “We’re here to care for you, not the other way around.”
“I would love to learn how to cook for you all as well, or we could cook together…” I trail off, realizing I’m getting a little carried away. “I’m just…I’m happy here.” A finger lifts my chin, and then I’m looking straight into Brennan’s gaze.
“I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re all happy you’re here.” The corners of his eyes wrinkle with his smile.
I thought it’d be impossible, but I flush even more under the attention of the blonde alpha. I’m saved from having to answer by Teddy feeding me another spoonful of potato.
Despite my non-answer, I can feel the truth of Brennan’s words seeping into me, making me believe for the first time that I may have found men who want me.
Not the prestige that comes from the Messina Family.
Not just an omega to boss around and fuck.
Me.
I grin, looking down at my hand. Triumphantly, I lay down the card that even I know is the most hated type in the deck.
“Draw four,” I announce, looking at Ethan, who sits to my left.
His jaw drops, staring at the single card left in his hand. “But—”
“Ain’t no buts ‘bout it,” Teddy grins. “Our girl got you with the classic move.”
“It’s valid,” Maverick nods, holding his cards close, “no foul.”
“Are you sure this is your first time playing Uno?” Ethan eyes me with mock suspicion.
“Ethan.” Brennan rolls his eyes. “I know you’re normally good at everything, but you can’t accuse our omega of Uno subterfuge.”
“Yeah, you got somefin’ ‘gainst koalas, mate?” Teddy teases, reaching over to put my hood over my head. His eyes crinkle when he looks at me. “That’s fuckin’ adorable.”
Ethan grumbles to himself, pulling four cards from the draw pile. His petulant expression reminds me of a toddler, and I have to suppress my giggle.
His head whips toward me, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “Something funny, Little Bird?”
The darkness in his voice sends a thrill right between my thighs, and my scent swirls around the air. I’m getting used to that happening, and now I barely feel a twinge of embarrassment—especially when I see how it affects him. Instead of feeling ashamed, it almost makes me feel…powerful.
Something I’ve never felt in my entire life.
“Never took you for a sore loser,” I say lightly, shrugging, making Brennan’s jaw drop. I’m not sure where this side of me is coming from, but I can’t say I hate it.
“A sore loser?” Ethan arches a brow, and something—I have no idea what—whispers at me to reach over and flick his nose.
And I…listen.
Which is how I end up on my back, a laugh shrieking out of my throat as my hands are pinned on either side of my head, a smirking Ethan hovering over me.
Well, now, why do I like this?
My laughter must clue the other guys in that I’m not uncomfortable, because nobody tries to remove him from me, not even Teddy.
His smirk fades as his eyes fix on my lips, and suddenly, I’m very aware of my body. The way his presses against mine perfectly, the outline of his hardening length pushing against me.
“Tell me to back off,” he all but orders me.
But I won’t. It feels too good having him like this, all eyes on us.
My tongue darts out to wet my bottom lip, and I tilt my chin up at him. “No.”
“Brat,” he murmurs. But the word isn’t an insult.
It can’t be, not when he says it with such affection.
Not when he lowers his face to mine, our lips meeting in the softest of kisses.
Kisses that quickly turn heated. His scruff rubs at my skin, but I can’t say I mind. It would seem like the most natural thing in the world for him to move just a hint up and to the left, to slide right inside—
“Alright, alright,” Maverick grunts, and Ethan freezes, huffing once against my lips before lifting his body up slightly.
For a moment, I’m worried that I’ve done something wrong, but then Ethan smiles down at me before leaning down and pressing a quick kiss to my nose.
My bottom lip tugs under my teeth as I sit up, my body heating further at the eyes that are on me.
“You feelin’ alright there, Dove?” Teddy arches a brow at me, and I can’t help but grin.
“I’m feeling perfect.”
These men, my true scent matches…they’re bringing out a new side of me, and I can’t wait to meet her.