Anathea paled.
“I’ll get it.” On my feet before she could move, I marched to the door and peeked through the peephole. Not something I was in the habit of doing at home, but at home, I wasn’t trying to protect someone precious to me. “It’s the guys.” Opening up, I let them in. “Did you find them?”
Carter shook his head. “We didn’t see anyone.”
“But I think we found the source of the noise.” Elias held up a length of wire. “This was tangled in the tree right outside your bedroom window, and it’s a little windy tonight.”
“It must have blown there and then as the branches bounced…”
“It scratched my window.” She dropped her head into her hands. “What must you think of me?”
“We think you were being careful in a situation where you know there are those who might harm you.” I sat beside her again, and this time she didn’t pull away. “We think you were smart.”
Chapter Eleven
Anathea
I had a physical reaction when I realized the alphas were about to leave. Weird since they were virtual strangers, but I couldn’t deny how strongly my wolf and I were already tied to them.
In a place inside me I didn’t know was alive anymore.
“Anathea, would you mind if I slept on your couch tonight?” Elias put up his palms and faced me. “No funny business. I swear it.”
He didn’t have to swear for me to believe him. I did. Trust with these three came easily as well, and that scared me most of all.
My omega purred with delight at having them near. My apartment, my home, felt warm and comforting, whereas before, it was cold and echoey in a way that I hated. I’d grown up in a pack, so there were always people around. While my wolf liked being alone, these visitors were more than welcome.
“I don’t know.” I did know but I didn’t want to seem too eager. My wolf, on the other hand, wanted to display herself to them for their approval. Silly, omega wolf. Wanting to preen and show off in front of her alphas. No. Not hers. Not ours. Just alphas.
All of a sudden, my life was complicated.
“I’ll sleep outside by the front door, then. As my wolf. At least we will know you are safe.”
I would absolutely not stand for that. The thought of Elias or any of them sleeping outside on my account sounded awful. I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep. They wouldn’t.
No reason for all of us to suffer.
“You’ll do no such thing. It’s fine if you take the couch. It might be the only way I get any sleep tonight.”
The need to hug them swept over me but I refrained. Barely.
“Good night, Anathea,” Carter said. “You can still call or text us anytime, even with Elias here. He snores, by the way.”
“I do not,” Elias said and then turned to me. “I do not.”
“It’s okay. I lived with a pack. Snoring is the least of the noises I can tolerate. Except for a branch against the window, apparently.”
Still felt silly about that.
My wolf didn’t. It brought her…it brought these three to my doorstep.
“That settles it, then.” Jayden moved toward me slowly. “Good night, sweet omega. You can text me, too. Anytime.” He placed a kiss on my forehead. Finding out he was single was the best news of the night.
“Goodnight.”
I wanted all three of them to stay. And not on the couch. Surrounding me. Taking up all the space in my nest, not leaving room for any of my fears and doubts.
Carter and Jayden left, and I wrangled up some blankets and a pillow for Elias. He accepted them with his sweet smile and tried to convince me he would be comfortable.
