Chapter Seven #2
I look away from the large heart-shaped leaves on the shrubs lining the road and to Zilas. “Without you?” I ask him.
“I am new to pack Traex, as are you. We’ll learn together, omega.” He smiles, his pointier-than-I-was-expecting teeth on display.
I blink, thinking that through. The vehicle turns onto a smaller ribbon of pink, the vegetation close to the road.
I process the words in a piecemeal manner. “What is a ‘turn’?”
Azane lets out a little chuckle. “It means sixty sleeps. But also six hundred sleeps. Depends on how it is used.”
I’d tell them that was very confusing, but the English language has lots of ridiculous idioms, so I bite my tongue.
Suddenly, the trees open up and I’m looking at a small clearing with a shallow lake.
Angled over the edge of the lake is a wooden-appearing boardwalk that leads to.
.. I’m not even sure how to describe it.
Hobbit House is the first thing that comes to mind.
It’s mainly circular, with an uneven roof line, one broad tower emerging on the far side, a warm glow emanating from all the windows in the now-dim orange light.
A covered porch curves to the left of the house, around the side, and I see some large, comfortable-looking chairs with a small table.
A slender tree grows near the porch, with a sweeping spread of branches, all covered in tiny pink flowers.
As I look harder, I realize the tree’s leaves are a pink shade as well.
It almost reminds me of a birch tree, and I am struck by the urge to study it up close.
“This look upon your face, omega. This is a pleased look?” Azane asks quietly, placing her arm around my back. I get a whiff of her sugary scent and I turn to her, grinning.
“It’s gorgeous! The forest and the house! You built this?” I ask, excited.
She nods, clearly reassured. “Yes. I designed it, and Ink and I, and some of the other packs in Setias, built it.”
“Wow...” I trail off as the vehicle comes to a stop. Zilas opens the door and slides out. I continue, “I can’t wait to see the inside!”
I hear Inken rumble low in her chest, like a big cat. An obviously pleased sound.
I step out and the sounds of this exotic, wonderful alien forest surround me. Little clicks, I assume from insects, splashes of water—maybe from birds after fish? And other forest-y noises immediately make my body relax.
This is where I’m meant to be.
Azane takes my elbow, gripping firmly, and guides me to the boardwalk.
I notice again how all three of them are taller than me.
Zilas is closest to my height; maybe six foot three to my five ten.
Inken is the tallest, her slender body clearly muscular and lithe.
We cross the boardwalk and Azane smiles at the house, then down at me.
Zilas slips ahead and opens the door to the home. I step in and my mouth drops open.
“That’s a tree!” I practically shout.
They all chuckle kindly. I stare at the tree, with smooth bark on a trunk that I wouldn't be able to wrap my arms around.
I look upward, seeing some of its heart-shaped leaves.
It extends to the ceiling, standing in the center of the tower, the stairs wrapping in a circle around it.
The crown of the tree must emerge from the top floor, and I realize I had simply thought it was part of the background forest when we arrived.
“Wow... just... wow,” I mutter.
Azane purrs too, “I’m happy you like your new home, omega. It is our job to provide for you, to care for you, to make you happy.”
I turn, eyes landing on her textured horns that curve along the top of her head. “Thank you, alpha. I do like it. Can I see more?”
Inken laughs gently, “Your nest first, little one.”
They guide me up the stairs, and I wonder if I’m dissociating a bit.
Naw, I’m excited as hell to be here, why would I be doing that? The meds maybe, from the molecular transport?
They point out their rooms, one per floor, but each door is closed. When we make it to the fifth floor, I can see Azane practically vibrating with excitement. I grin in response as she swings open the rough hewn door with an arched top.
Stepping forward, my eyes widen. The room circles the tower, which in-and-of-itself would be incredible. But facing the forest is a humongous, circular, two-story window. Some of the center house tree’s leaves are visible, draping into the view out the window.
Hanging potted plants drape from the ceiling in various places.
Near the window is a set of squishy-looking chairs and a couch.
A woodstove-type thing sits off the opposite wall, a pretty sea-green kettle sits on top, bubbling happily, the wall and floor below it covered in some kind of cube-shaped stone.
But to the right is a circular archway. At first glance, I believe the boughs, or roots, are living, but as I step forward, I realize they are not alive, but merely some other incredible engineering feat.
I am about to spin, to question Azane on her—magical—designs, but my eyes land upon the bed.
Nest, I mean.
It’s gigantic and circular, taking nearly the entire alcove. Little lights, covered in some kind of fogged glass, are nestled in the boughs and leaves on the ceiling. The bed stands naked though, and I look back to Azane.
She smiles, and her arm swings out, pointing to the exterior wall. Various pillows— multiple shapes and sizes—and many, many blankets and sheets line the wall. The fabrics vary from dark reds to lemon yellows to the palest blues. Yet again, my eyes widen as I turn to take in my alphas.
“Choose, wedari, and we’ll outfit your nest for you,” Azane offers in a low, soft voice.
I blink and I realize I am definitely not yet myself.
Alright, I can do this. It’s like redecorating my bedroom. No problem.
I cross the open space and kneel, my blanket flowing around me, and I touch the pillows, feeling the array of textures. I begin tossing various pillows, blankets and sheets towards the bed, the grin on my face growing wider every second. My nest. My pack. My family.
When I reach the end of the row, Azane is next to me, holding out her hand. I take it as I stand.
“Come, little one, let Inken and Zilas dress the nest, while I find you something to eat and drink,” she says in a husky voice that gives me a half-hard-on, which luckily, the blanket covers.
I nod, overwhelmed, as she takes my hand and leads me down the spiral staircase. As we reach the first floor, she turns left. We pass through an open doorway into what is clearly a kitchen.
I sit on a tall stool, the legs and arms made of slender, interwoven branches. Across from me, Azane opens what appears to be an alien refrigerator.
She pulls out several things, including a bright green juice.
“Very recent data suggests this is what you consider wine?” She offers, the raise of question in her voice.
“Perfect,” I say quietly, smiling.
She pours it into a small glass for me and turns to the cooktop.
“Would you like some food?” Her voice is low and soothing.
“Uh... I’m not really hungry,” I offer, before sipping the wine.
It might be a disturbing green, but it tastes like a complex red wine and my eyes close in pleasure. “Mmm,” I mumble, “this is good.”
I catch her sharp-toothed smile.
“Are you quite sure I can’t feed you, omega? We have things to do after this, and I don’t want you getting hungry during.”
My stomach swoops, considering what she might mean by ‘things.’
“No, really, alpha, I’m fine.” I smile at her, and her face softens.
She lifts a small glass of the green juice and sips as she leans back against the other counter.
Her eyes stay focused on me the entire time and I feel like prey.
The flashes of her sharp teeth only further that.
I gulp my wine, looking away, out the expansive windows that show the forest behind the home.
Without considering what I’m saying, I blurt out, “I’m kind of surprised you haven’t had sex with me yet.”
She chuckles, in a way that, again, makes her seem like she’s the predator here, “Oh, wedari. I will indeed fuck you as soon as possible. But your body needs to adjust. To the new world, to our pheromones, to our bodies.” She grabs her glass.
“But I offered you food because we’re going to play for a while after this. ” She grins, an evil edge to it.
I blink rapidly. Well, alright.
When I put my glass down and look back to Azane, she quickly tosses her green drink back and gently sets the empty cup on the table.
“Come on, omega,” she gestures.
I let her lead me up the stairs as I again consider that I might not be fully recovered from the trip.
When we get to the fifth floor, Azane lets me go first. I swing the door open with excitement.
There, under the arch, is the now-decorated nest. A large bolster surrounds the edges and the bed is dressed in many shades and textures of green.
Fern greens, hunter greens, lemon greens all blend together in the pillows and blankets.
I notice shelves sticking out of the wall near it, looking for all their worth like those huge, flat mushrooms that grow off tree trunks.
It looks like heaven. I just need a good book and a hot cup of coffee.
I tug my blanket tighter over my shoulders and step forward. Zilas and Inken stand to either side, the light from the huge circular window illuminating their forms. I put my hand to the nest and when no one objects, I climb up.
Both alphas begin to purr as I settle myself, letting my blanket drop as I pull the covers over my lower half.
“Invite us,” Inken demands.
I tilt my head, and Zilas explains, “It’s tradition. The nest is sacred. And considered the omega’s. The very first time, you must invite your pack in.”
I take a deep breath, calm settling through me.
“Will the three of you join me?”