35. Opaline
Opaline
"This candle smells like dogshit," Sage pulls the pearlescent, brown glass container away from his nose, looking offended.
"Why would they stock a candle that smells bad?
They're not Beanboozled jelly beans. Sounds like a you problem," Adrian chimes back, stalking down the same aisle.
Those broad shoulders are looking particularly yummy now that I'm feeling much better and more excited about the day.
Since I'd opened up my end of the bond, I have no doubt he picked up on where my thoughts had turned, giving me a little growl and playful pat on my bottom as I pass him.
"I don't knowww," Sage sing-songs with a teasing lilt. "What do you think, princess?" Sticking out the candle, I take a hesitant sniff before nearly cracking and laughing, ruining his game. He winks at me, bringing the candle over towards my grumpy alpha. "Pheww, that is rank!"
"Well, I like it," I say breezily, chin high.
My response piques his attention enough for him to pull the container from Sage's big hand. "It smells like cedarwood, asshole," Adrian says, rolling his eyes.
"Yikes, is that what that is? Poor poor Opaline and Ever." Sage tsks and shakes his head sadly, moving to put the candle back on the shelf.
Intervening, I grab it and place it in the massive cart Calder now pushes. "Lucky for me, I loveee cedarwood." I fall into Adrian's embrace, happily accepting his kisses as he grins triumphantly, glaring back over my shoulder to Sage.
"So what? He smells bad and gets kisses? That's not how this game is supposed to work, princess. I think something got lost in translation."
"I smell bad..? You sure you want to open that door, sweet cheeks? Mister-ass-blaster-air freshener? Mister-bean-burrito-hot box?"
Sage squawks, and any pretense of controlling my laughter goes out the window, sending me into a fit, cackling.
Another chuckle sounds from the opposite end of the aisle. I peek around his bicep to see Everette smiling. "You think that's funny, sweetheart?" Adrian asks him. I give him a nudge to go over so they can have their own cute moment.
"You're awful, you know that?" I laugh, stepping next to Sage.
"Eh, he likes it. He's needy for attention if you can't tell. Don't worry. I'd honestly probably be laid out on the floor if he really didn't," he laughs.
Humming, I let him chatter on, mostly to himself, Calder appearing and chiming in every once in a while.
Sage somehow knew exactly what to say and do to make me snap out of it earlier.
We'd stayed locked away in the model nest for a while, continuing our private talk.
I love spending time with everyone as a pack.
But those moments between me and my alphas, that are just for us, mean so much.
And by the end of our chat, I had felt like a completely different person.
Now, I was excited, smiling, and giddy as we spent our time going through the store. We showed the guys the nest I had decided to use as inspiration. To see how much they also loved it made my inner omega absolutely preen at their approval and praise.
My nest will be a space for all of us, and knowing they'd love it makes my chest warm and fuzzy in the best way.
Calder had stepped away to speak with the sales assistant, arranging the delivery of nearly everything I said I loved about the model.
I've had several spikes of anxiety and guilt come on suddenly in the moments since.
But each time, I kept the bond open and always felt the reassurance and happiness from my mates, tamping the flames down to embers.
We've decided to mostly copy the model nest. But we all want to still explore the giant store and intuitively add to it as we go.
The bedding's the main appeal I'm most excited about.
It's so luxuriously soft that it's almost shiny, nearly resembling silk, but with better cooling fibers ideal for pack sleeping. Who knew puppy piles get so steamy?
"So proud of you, babygirl. Thank you for letting us spoil you a little.
You have no idea how pleased and pride-puffed my primal is," Calder says, humming sweetly in my ear before pressing a kiss to my temple.
"Makes me feel so good to be able to take care of you the way you deserve.
" Before I can respond, he's pulling away, taking the first overstuffed cart with him.
"Be right back with a fresh cart. I'm going to leave this with the sales team so they can pack it with the other items they're working on.
Be good." He winks over his shoulder, and my stomach does a happy flip.
Biting my bottom lip to partially disguise my grin, I sigh, watching my amazing mate walk to the front of the store.
"Pretty nice butt, huh?" Everette's voice startles me enough that I jump like a bull in a rodeo chute.
His laughter drowns out any response I try to stutter through, until I finally threaten to walk away from him.
"I'm done, I'm sorry. You just looked so cute admiring him; I had to tease a little.
" His laughter's transformed into a happy, deep chuckle as he smiles down at me with bright, deep green eyes. "Feeling better?"
"Yes, much better. Thank you," I say, pressing onto the tips of my toes for a quick peck on the lips. "It's really feeling like the dream I used to imagine as a younger omega."
"I'm so glad, sweet girl. Bedding, candles, and pillows are taken care of… Wanna check out the comfort section? Heat support? Lighting? Which one next?"
"Ooohh, how about lighting and then end with cozy?"
"My kinda girl. Let's do it."
Waiting for Calder to join us, we regroup and start exploring the lighting section, which is far more extensive than I had given the omega-centric store credit for.
I didn't really know where to look next, every shimmery, glowing, illuminated item catching my attention faster than the last. It was nearly overwhelming.
There are curtains with string lighting, orbs, chandeliers, and glittering words molded into quotes. There's every style, color, and option for lighting that anyone could ever imagine, with rows upon rows to browse.
I'm not sure exactly what I want, fingers touching and grazing as I go. The guys had called me over to see a couple of things. They were beautiful, absolutely, but they didn't call to me as I had hoped they would.
Starting to feel more overwhelmed and a little anxious, I move on from the set of remote-controlled rainbow light towers I've been playing with.
Just as I'm about to suggest going somewhere else another day, I gasp, eyes widening.
"Oh my god. Look!" I practically squeal, rushing to the lights that had caught my attention.
"They're beautiful…oh wow," I breathe in awe.
They're bunched garlands of utterly realistic, soft, and intricate flowers, carrying a series of beautiful, round light bulbs.
Only the bulbs aren't standard, like what you'd expect.
They're literally glittering and moving like tiny fireflies are putting on a show inside each one. The effect is stunning.
Inspecting them further, I realize why I'm so drawn to them.