The whole thing feels comfortable and normal. Especially when Riot bumps his shoulder into Vivie's and murmurs, "I'm realizing how overbearing your pack alpha can be. Save me?"
Her soft snort is music to my fucking ears.
Eighteen
Vivian
Iwoke with my throat burning, and my eyes wet with tears. Thankfully, I caught the nightmare before it alerted my pack, and I somehow managed to slip out of the nest without waking anyone.
I've become a pro at sneaking away to spend the tough nights with Riot. He expects me at this point, and his welcoming smile when I come down the stairs chases the chill away.
Coming out of the basement bathroom with only his new fleece pajama pants on and his arms raised to dry his hair with a towel, we both stop in our tracks when we see each other. My breath stutters and tingles race from the top of my head to my toes.
"Movie tonight, Firefly?" Riot murmurs, stepping toward me, eyes sparking with something I can't see with the distance between us. His scent says it all. The masculine shampoo won't ever be able to overpower an alpha's arousal.
I nod, even though I can't quite remember what he asked me.Holy shit, the energy ischarged. Maybe I should go back to bed.It's been two weeks since we got home, and I've never experiencedthisbetween me and Riot. It's electric.
The longer I stare at him, the more the tension in his body rises.He feels this too. A low growl rumbles the space between us, snapping my spine to attention. "Vivian, go sit on the couch."
Thank fuck. Blowing out a breath of relief, I turn on my heel and practically run to the couch. My nose and body perk up at the metallic fresh scent on the cushions, and my omega urges me toward a blanket that smells of Riot.
The TV clicks on, but I'm busy creating the perfect snuggle nest. It's presumptuous and not a good idea, but my instincts are pushing me hard.My alpha needs to see I can make us a nice place to rest. I must show him I'm a good omega.
I feel him standing above me more so than I see it. There are so many pillows to choose from, and my big sweatshirt feels itchy. Huffing, I rip the bulky thing off and sigh at the cool air ghosting over my bare skin. My tank top and silky shorts are perfect, but this fat pillow has got to go. Yeeting it across the room, I get back to work.
"Careful," Riot reprimands with a chuckle. "You'll break something."
On my hands and knees, I shove a weakly scent marked blanket into the deep crack in the back and layer a pillow over it.
Something's missing. There's nothing I want to change except foronething. One person.
My neck creaks as I whip my head around to find Riot.
"Easy, little Omega. I'm right here." Crouched mere inches away, he watches me with so much affection, I practically melt. Gesturing to my mini nest, I wait for him to either get in or say something.
My omega purrs inside my head when he actually takes it all in. It's not just a glance; he cares. "Is this for me?" he asks with whispered awe. I nod and I swear it brings tears to his eyes. "Thank you, Omega. It's perfect. May I join you?"
"Yes, Alpha."
A full-body shudder pulls a low groan from him. "Before I join you in our nest, I need you to know my intentions. I've had a long while to think, and it's time I share with you. Especially now that you've made such a beautiful space for us."
My head cocks to the side.We can talk in my nest.He reaches for my knee and caresses me so sweetly Idopurr this time.
"I'm your alpha, and you're my omega." My chest cracks a little when he squeezes his good eye shut as if he's in pain. "I have some walls up that make it hard for me to truly believe this, but I need you to know I'm going to fight like hell to open myself up to you and your—our—pack."
I can't control my frown.How do I ask him why he's so closed off when I can't speak?I'm stuck feeling anxious and uncertain in this moment, but I need to know.
Taking his hand in mine, I give him a little tug. Chuckling, he stands and seats himself in the corner of the sectional with his legs sprawled out on the cushions. Kneeling on the other side, I begin tucking him in, but pause when he watches me silently.
Frustrated, more so with myself, I purse my lips and wave a hand at him. "What?" he questions, confused.
My chest tightens further, and my eyes burn with tears. I open my mouth and try to force the words but nothing happens. Between the nightmare, the tension between us, building him our first nest, and his admission, I'm trapped.
"Hey," he murmurs, sitting up straighter and frowning. "Don't force it. Can you gesture? If you need something, just take it, Firefly. I'm right here."
Fidgeting for a moment, heat blooms on my cheeks. Then I move because if I want him to open up to me, I need to be vulnerable too. I slip a knee over his lap and settle into a comfortable straddle position on his thighs.
Riot's jaw clenches and his hands land on my hips with a soft squeeze. "I wasn't expecting that, but I fucking love it," he rumbles.
