By the time I’m done, Skyla is sound asleep.
“Alex?” Dakota whispers my name. “Are you okay?” His gaze falls to my still-hard cock. “Do you need to come again? I can?—”
“I’m good,” I say, knowing full well that Dakota’s probably very sore. “I’m actually kind of tired,” I lie as I lay down, facing Skyla.
I stare at her as she sleeps, not looking away once.
Not when Tadeo finally pulls out of her spent body, or when Dakota wipes her down between her legs. Not even when Knox kisses the pair goodnight, then turns off the lights.
I keep looking at her slack face, wondering how long it will be until we’re all connected with her, our bite marks on her neck, and a strong mental bond holding us all together.
Four Days Later
Skyla
It’s been sucha wonderful week.
Every morning, I wake up to the smell of coffee and something warm on the stove. One of the guys makes something easy, like eggs, bacon, and toast. I’ve learned that Knox isn’t much of a morning person, despite the fact that he usually wakes up first. The alpha always grumbles into his mug like a grumpy old man, but he smiles way too much at me to actually be crabby.
I eat with my new pack, listening to their easy back-and-forth, and then watch Knox and Tadeo leave for work. They both kiss me, then demand I go back to bed.
It’s weird to have alphas who just want me to be happy.
After they go, I climb right back into bed, snuggling under the heavy quilt with whoever is still asleep. Sometimes it’s Alex, sprawled out like a starfish, warm and soft with sleep. Sometimes it’s Dakota, curled in close, mumbling nonsense into my shoulder before drifting backunder. Either way, it’s quiet and safe, the kind of peace I didn’t even know existed.
By midday I shuffle out to the living room with messy hair, wearing one of Dakota’s oversized shirts. The beta keeps trying to come up with things to do to fill our days—card games, puzzles, or some new show he wants to binge—but honestly? I like just sitting on the couch and chatting. I’ve never donenothingbefore.
My old pack kept me busy every second of the day. Cook this, scrub that, organize, polish, repeat. Before that, the academy had me running from class to class like a machine wound too tight. My body had gotten used to never stopping.
So now, when I curl up, cocooned in soft blankets on the couch, legs tucked under me, and nothing is expected of me…God, it feels so good. My chest loosens and my shoulders soften. I never realized how much tension I carried just in existing.
Doing nothing feels like the most luxurious thing in the world.
“Who wants to go for a run?” Dakota claps his hands together as he steps out of the hallway.
“Ew,” I say, snuggling even deeper into my portable nest—at least, that’s what Tadeo calls it.
During the day, I drag the comforter off the big bed, along with a few of the guys’ sweaters into the living room, and at night I haul them all back to the bedroom. It means I can’t really set up a proper nest, but I don’t have enough blankets for that anyway. At first it bothered me, but honestly? I don’t care anymore.
My portable nest smells like pack, safe and warm, and that’s all that matters.
“Are you sure you don’t want some fresh air?” Dakotaasks as he plops down into the rickety recliner to put on his running shoes. “You haven’t left the house in days.”
“Omegas don’t leave the house,” Alex calls, popping his head out of the kitchen. He’s chewing fast, holding the last few bites of a sandwich in his hand. “They’re built to be pampered like princesses. Not to jog.” He winks at me, making me smile.
“I’m good,” I say to Dakota. “But thank you for the invitation.”
“We should watch that new drama tonight,” Alex says. “The one with the detective and the cursed house.” He pops the last bite of his snack into his mouth as he moves toward me. He drops onto the other end of the couch and stretches his long legs out with a sigh. “It’s supposed to have a great twist.”
“Ooh, yes,” I say immediately, wriggling deeper into my nest. “That sounds perfect.”
“Mm, no,” Dakota says flatly. He’s already halfway standing again, restless energy rolling off him. “I need to get some cardio in. I’m not an alpha. I can’t just eat and lounge all day without getting fat. I’m already starting to gain weight.”
I roll my eyes at him, about to argue, but then he lifts his shirt as if to prove his point.
The breath catches in my throat as I stare at the soft grooves of the beta’s abs. His chest is mostly hairless, but the dark trail that leads from his belly button down to his waistband makes my mouth water.
I swear, my pack is so handsome it hurts.
