At the third store Felix took her to; she was impressed by the store’s history. They were owned by African American sisters who transformed their great-grandmother’s hobby into a successful business, striving to reinvest their funds in the community. They focused on quality over quantity and on being eco-friendly. Getting to meet them helped ease some of Sonnet’s hesitation, and it didn’t take long before they had bought almost half the store.
And then Sonnet didn’t want to stop.
Once Felix tuned in to why she was hesitant, he began taking her to stores that shared the same values, and soon they had enough to keep Sonnet very busy redecorating.
They stopped off at a cafe when Sonnet’s phone blew up with messages from Jude and Kai. They must have been together, because their messages sounded like a competition of someone who could see her and kiss her first.
Felix rolled his eyes. “Tell them to meet us at the next location.”
She gulped. The next location was last on the list. The nesting store.
Deep breaths, deep breaths.
“What about Zayden?” She asked as they drove far out of the city to one of the largest nesting corporations.
“Unfortunately, I think he’s going to be incredibly busy with our manager and label. However, he promised to be home for dinner.” Felix smiled softly and rested his hand on her thigh. “We’ve all promised to never have dinner without you.”
“Really? That’s so cute!”
His cheeks flushed. “I don’t know aboutcute. Have you thought about what you’d like to buy for your nest?”
NO!
Sonnet bit the inside of her cheek. “A heating pad and a cooling blanket. Both of those things have always helped me get through my heat cycles in the past, and mine are getting old.”
“That’s practical,” he hummed. “I’ve researched that a nest is about comfort as well as appearance and smell. How did you decorate your nests in the past?”
Uh, well, I didn’t. Duh.
Your freaking out is making me freak out!
Felix raised an eyebrow and not so subtly chose the parking spot farthest away from the store. “Sweetheart. Look at me.” He tilted her chin towards him. “You’ve been in your own little world all morning and afternoon. I don’t want to pry, but if you’d let me, I’d like to help you with whatever has you on edge.”
Felix’s scent warmed the car, easing the edge of her burnt strawberry smell. His eyes were soft and kind but held a serious gaze and determination to help her however he could. She liked that. And she was also scared.
What do I say?
Maybe we should think about telling them the truth about our past. The full truth about our birth mother.
NOW?
No! We should wait before telling them all at once. But look at Felix. This is a good test of trust. Maybe we should at least talk through our nesting fears to help ease your anxiety.
Her omega was right, and she hated that because no one had ever known about any of her nesting fears or complications. Not even Summer and Scarlett, who knew almost everything else. But Felix had been the alpha who, during this whole process, made it easiest to first reveal hard things.
“In the past, I’ve never had an official nest before.”
“Never?”
She shook her head. “No. I…don’t know how. Having a nest and utilizing it properly has always been difficult for me and my omega. Building a real one for not just me but my alphas too? I’m just a little nervous. I don’t know if I’ll do it right.”
Felix shook his head and scooped her up easily, bringing her to his side and resting her on his lap. He gently pushed back her pink hair and cupped her face. “I’m glad you told me. We’ll take it slow in the store, and if you’re uncertain or too overwhelmed, we’ll leave and try again later.” He relaxed his forehead against hers. “I don’t know what you have bottled up, but when you’re ready, I hope you know we’ll all be ready to receive it.”
She melted into his arms, tears pricking in her eyes. “Thank you.”
“Thankyou.”
“For what?”
