37. Sage
Sage
For the first time, the nest feels like it's really a part of our home, slowly being filled with life as we finalize our touches. Opaline was gently nudged out so we could add a few things we wanted to surprise her with.
Sounds of my packmate's movements around the nest blend in as comforting background noise, the sun setting beyond the wall of windows, new curtains pushed to the side.
Lost in what's in front of me, I place the rows and short stacks of books scattered thoughtfully into the built-in bookshelves lining the entryway to the nest itself.
The setup is beautiful. It's truly the heart of our home, as it was originally intended to be. The sheer size of the space directly reflects that.
When entering from the hallway, the door opens to the main area of the adjoining and connected rooms. To the left are the massive bookshelves and a faux fireplace now filled with stacks of beautiful, new, large white candles tucked in the middle.
We've added cozy, comfy seating and a small, wooden table.
To the right, when entering, there's a small kitchenette, as well as a door that leads to the bathroom and a huge closet. The kitchenette is now stocked with necessary supplies for her Heat, sure. But it also has goodies I know she loves.
Just past the entry room is the nesting area itself, where the giant bed is.
It's now covered in beautiful variations and shades of earth tones and pinks, matching the curtains that curved around the right wall.
The nest sits on the southwest end of the house, so the windows are the perfect spot for the light to filter through as the sun sets every night.
Everything is so fucking beautiful; she did such a great job picking everything.
To say I'm impressed with the way it's all falling together would be an understatement.
I couldn't wait for all of us to start enjoying the space, with cuddles every night together.
Over the years, due to societal changes, alphas and omegas in particular have adapted to sleeping alone when needed.
But that didn't mean the natural drive to sleep together as a pack wasn't there, buried away.
When we were all together the other night, it was just another change for the better. It felt right.
Taking a step back, I cross my arms and scan over the shelves and the surrounding area.
Something new catches my attention, light causing whatever it is to sparkle.
"Holy shit," I whisper to myself, picking up the tiny figurine.
It's a fox carved out of an opal. “No way…where the hell…” I trail off, turning to face my pack brothers, all near the bed.
"Is this little trinket from you?" When no one answers, I keep going. "Hellooooo?"
"Who are you talking to?" Calder asks.
"You!" I laugh.
"Me? What trinket?" He sets down the hammer that looks tiny in his hand, running it through his thick hair. The others follow, turning to look at me, Everette trying to get a better look at said trinket in my hand.
"This little opal fox. Like all the other gifts and stuff from you that are over in the bookshelves and on the vanity in the closet?" I tilt my head, confused.
"Those, uh…those aren't me, actually," he says, stepping closer.
"That's stunning though." His gaze snaps over my shoulder as if he can see through the wall and into the closet where the mirrored vanity sits.
There were thoughtful little gifts in there, too, that I had noticed before.
At this point, I have no idea what's happening.
"Ever? Was all this stuff you?" I ask. He shakes his head, eyes darting to the side towards our last packmate fast enough that I almost miss it.
Brows furrowing, I lower my hand. "It…" I pause, "it was you, Adrian?" I ask, in disbelief. "All of it?" By now, the room's gone silent, all movement coming to a standstill as we look on enraptured.
He shrugs, looking away and gazing back at the project on the ceiling above him. But if this was him… I just have to know. Stepping closer, I notice the tint to his cheeks as he starts to rub his neck, scowling over at me. "What?" he mutters.
"Adrian, man…"
Sighing heavily in what feels like defeat, he turns and scrubs his hand down his face as the others join us next to the nesting area.
Struggling as to where to begin, Calder grips his shoulder in the grounding gesture only he, as our lead, can really provide.
"At first, I thought maybe it was my alpha still just trying to process our loss of Natalie…
like maybe akin to putting flowers on a grave.
" He puffs out a deep breath. "I wasn't sure.
It made no sense. But every time I did find something and add it to the collection, it took a small weight off my shoulders.
"Over the years, I just kept doing it…occasionally finding something that just kind of pulled me to it, or called to bring my alpha to the surface.
I had pushed my primal down for so long already…
It felt like the one small, harmless thing I could do for my alpha, considering how deeply we'd both been hurt.
" He shakes his head, thinking. "But I remember at one point realizing, when I was finding these things, it was never Natalie's face I had in mind.
She was never the reason I was drawn to the little knick-knacks and stuff.
Now, I can't help but think…" he trails off.
"You were doing it for Opaline…"
"Yeah, man. I think I was. Like, somehow my primal just knew…
ya know? Hell, looking back, the things I brought home were things Nat wouldn't have even looked at twice or found joy in at all," he chuffs.
"But, I know Opaline would. Like I somehow handpicked items just for her without even knowing it. "
We all nod and smile our encouragement, Everette's eyes shining with unshed tears as he reaches down for Adrian's hand.
Calder pats his shoulder, squeezing it. "I'm happy you and your primal are finally on better terms now, and reconnected.
It's crucial to your health and wellbeing.
But I'm also incredibly proud of you and happy you allowed yourself and your primal to pick up those little things over the years and allowed yourself to be drawn into them, noticing the pull.
Should you ever decide to share that with Opaline…
phew," Cald chuckles a little. "It's beautiful, Adrian," he adds, pulling him in for a hug. "Thank you for telling us."
Everette and I lean in, following and joining in, showing our support. I've already apologized. But this is just another reminder of the asshole I was during our beginning days with our omega. I had no idea Adrian was hiding all this and trying to navigate it on his own.
Pulling apart, Ever swipes at his eyes, staying close to Adrian's side. After a few moments in silence, he looks around the room, gazing up at the ceiling. "She's gonna love it."