Chapter 20 #2
My lips curve as I see how the roof slopes here so it doesn’t feel so big, and there’s a large mattress on a wood pallet, and the wall behind it is painted in soft watercolors. There’s one long window that has blackout curtains to shut the world out, and recessed lighting.
The bedding on the mattress is a mix of thick weaved blankets as well as a pretty duvet cover. As Silva pulls back the blankets, my jaw drops as I see that there’s a barrier around the edge to offer more of a nest like bed.
“This all has little slits so I can tuck shirts or hoodies into it,” she explains softly. “This room also has extra insulation so that my heat isn’t broadcast to the entire neighborhood.”
Her cheeks heat as she shakes her head with a sigh.
“I’ll fix the insulation of the house for you,” I chuckle. “This way, if I want to chase you through the house, no one can hear.”
“Hmm, promises, promises,” she murmurs. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Breathing deeply, I notice the goosebumps rising on her skin and the way the air smells of her scent.
“What other bells and whistles does your nest have?” I ask, voice husky.
“There’s a heater in this room to keep the air warm. I have two cabinets of toys, but this one here I use the most in my nest,” she explains, walking to the freestanding wooden wardrobe that’s painted in a deep navy color.
That’s another interesting thing about this room. The shades of lavender, navy, and cream are soothing, and so far I don’t want to change a thing. It’s gorgeous. It has a fun eclectic style, and my fingers run over the pillows with fringe.
“I also have cooling pillows, blankets, and I can change the firmness of the mattress with a touch of a button,” she says. “I like my comfort, even if it’s just for me.”
Grabbing her hand as she steps closer, I ignore everything else in the room to hug her tightly.
“Something tells me you’re not going to be alone anymore,” I murmur, dropping my head to kiss her.
Silva’s soft gasp is everything, and then she’s jumping up to climb my body. Grabbing her ass, I help her up until her legs are wrapped around my waist. My cock jerks in my sweatpants, but I ignore it as I devour her lips.
“There’s only one thing missing from your nest,” I say, nipping her bottom lip.
“What?” she asks breathlessly.
Feeling nervous, I swallow hard as heat crawls up my body. A cramp hits my lower belly and I gasp as I press my forehead against hers.
“Do you need Harlan, baby?” she coos. “He can come in here if you do.”
“God, you’re so fucking wonderful,” I whisper. “I just need you for now…and their scents. Will you please come with me to steal their clothes? Would it bother you to have their scents in here?”
“No. I think…the knuckleheads are starting to grow on me,” she admits.
Lifting her, I move her around my body until she’s on my back. Silva is a cute human backpack. Her lavender silk robe feels cool against my back, and her arms wrap loosely around my neck.
“They tend to do that,” I rasp. I’m falling really fast for this girl.
Padding out of the nest, and through the bathroom and bedroom, I step out into the hallway.
“Let’s go see if there’s anything good,” she teases me, as if we’re on a hunting expedition.
Grinning despite the pain in my stomach, I walk toward the room my alphas are sleeping in. Their scent is a beacon, pulling me toward it.
Going off my medication is always a fucking ride, one that comes with mostly lows until my heat overtakes everything else. I’ve been feeling off for weeks, and it feels as if a tidal wave is hovering above my head. Waiting to crash over me.
When it does, I might lose any ability to reason.
The thought makes me bump against the doorframe, and Silva wraps her body tighter around me.
“Izzy, you can put me down,” she says, despite the fact that she’s making it impossible.
“I just thought of something,” I say, standing stock still.
“Hmmm. Tell me?” she suggests. “Maybe we can work through it together.”
“You won’t like it,” I warn her, stepping into the room to begin hunting through my alphas’ things.
What was going to be fun and sneaky no longer feels that way.
Silva bounces on my back, trying to get my attention. I’m not at full strength, so I almost topple over instead.
“What?” I whine, getting annoyed. Except, it’s more with myself and my stupid brain.
Hopping down, Silva moves around me with her hands on her hips.
“You what, not me,” she says. “What’s going on in your head?”
“It might not be an issue,” I lie. “If I get too far gone in my heat, you just might not be able to stay in the room.”
“Are you going to kick me out of my own nest?” she asks, rolling her eyes. “Fucking tell me!”
“What the hell, guys?” Harlan asks, standing at the door.
I’ve noticed that he’s been doing that a lot. Harlan is trying to give Silva space in her house to keep her from getting too twitchy. We’re all worried about her after last night, some more than others.
Syrus just went to work like it was any other day.
Wincing, I remind myself that was mean to even think. I think Syrus lives and breathes for Silva by this point. He still has to work though.
Rubbing my temples, I try to keep myself from fucking everything up.
“Izzy,” Harlan says softly.
“No,” I pout, refusing to look at him.
“Use your words,” Silva growls at me, pinching my inner arm.
“Ow,” I complain, though she only pinched hard enough to get me to focus on her.
“You heard her,” Harlan says, coming closer as he folds his arms over his impressive chest.
Focus, Isidro. Maldita sea!
“You can ask Harlan, but I go so long between heats that I can end up losing myself. I’m possessive, I want to bite and be bitten, and I don’t want to freak you out,” I sigh.
“Is this because of my nightmare?” Silva asks as I nod helplessly.
Climbing on top of the bed, she takes my face in her hands. Damn, being vertically challenged doesn’t hinder this omega at all.
“You are not Brad or Luke,” she says firmly. “I’m still not fond of alphas, but omegas have to stick together. If we find ourselves in a position where you want to bite me during your heat, do it. You know what, fuck it. Bite me now.”
I stare at her blankly as she holds her thumb out to me.
“That’s not how I saw this going,” Harlan grunts under his breath. “Do it, Izzy. You know you want to. Stop overthinking it. She’s yours just as much as she is ours.”
“Silva belongs to herself,” I say without thinking, taking her thumb and turning her hand so that the fleshy part between her fingers is facing me.
“Greedy,” she teases me before I bite down hard enough to break the skin.
Silva gasps as her body stiffens, and my eyes close as I moan. A tentative bond snaps into place, one that’ll grow as we get closer. Releasing her, I open my eyes to see her gazing at me in awe.
“Ready to steal our alphas’ clothes with me?” I tease her back, not waiting for her to tell me they’re not hers as I lift her body over my shoulder.
Now, to perform the sniff test to find the options.
“Check the laundry basket,” Harlan says. “Kyren went for a run after Syrus went to work.”
“Huh. I didn’t even notice that he got up,” I muse.
“I know,” he chuckles. “There’s food in Silva’s room. Please try to eat.”
Making a face, I begin picking through the pop up laundry in the closet.
“Izzy!” Silva yells as I keep her slung over my shoulder while I work.
“Mmhmm?” I ask.
“Are you going to put me down?” she huffs.
“Nope.”
I grin as she slaps my ass, wiggling it at her to do it again.
“Joke’s on you, mami, I like to be spanked,” I tell her.
“You’re terrible,” she laughs, and my anxiety begins to settle.
I wasn’t sad, I just needed to bond my girl. I just won’t call her that to her face quite yet.