Page 38 of All Packed Up

“That’s them.”

“They brought Knuckles back, so they can’t be that bad.” And their scents, though she’d barely gotten to scent them, were smoky and homey and… safe.

“They are really great guys. Would you mind staying with them while I go out? I don’t feel right leaving you alone, but I don’t want to risk spreading your scent around the city.”

“I don’t mind at all. It’s probably for the best.”

Wendy couldn’t just sit here and wait by herself. She’d be a sitting duck and totally defenseless against them, even if she knew how to wield a bat and a Taser. Ooh, she could attach the Taser to the bat, give herself some range. Yeah…

Clearing her throat, she glanced toward her room. “I can pack some stuff really quick, so all we have to do when you get back is… leave.” She frowned, imagining the perfect sleep she’d gotten last night in the nest Nic had provided her. “I just got my nest all perfect.”

Then her gaze shot to his. That sounded quite presumptuous. “Not that it’s my nest. You know what I mean.”

Nic tucked his smile into his shoulder, and the movement was so stupidly adorable she wanted to squeeze him. How could a beta an entire foot taller than her be adorable? Nic managed it.

“Of course. Get whatever you’ll need and we can see what the neighbors are up to.”

It only took a few moments for Wendy to pack what she needed, her poor backpack stuffed to the brim. Then she grabbed what she wanted for the next few hours, which included Knuckles, and paused by the door. Nic stuck his head out in the hallway, and she heard him inhale before opening the door the rest of the way, urging her to follow.

Stopping at C70, Nic rapped his fist on the wood.

It opened right away, to Arlo with a confused smile.

Wendy’s gaze darted back and forth between them.

Was Nic blushing? “So, you know how I said I owe you one?”

Arlo nodded, but beneath his serious exterior, she caught the twitch of his lips.

“Well… I owe you another one. I need to take care of some things at the gym before we split, so could you keep an eye on her while I’m gone? It won’t take long at all, I promise.”

“Oh yeah? What’s in it for us?” a voice called out, and Arlo threw the door wider to reveal Tate stalking toward them. He had a golden retriever smile curling his lips.

“Well… I own a gym,” Nic said slowly. “You do yoga, right? Want to teach a class at my gym?”

Wendy studied the blond alpha more closely. He would be a yoga instructor.

She giggled imagining him teaching a bunch of bodybuilders how to do a cat-cow, and she flushed as all three of their gazes landed on her.

“Never mind,” she said, waving her hand through the air.

“You’ve got a deal,” Tate agreed, then motioned to her. “Get in here. We’re going to have a movie night.”

Wendy calmed her nerves and walked in like she owned the place, gaze darting around the room to get more of an idea of these neighbors. The first thing she noticed—color.

“Wow, Nic, they decorate better than you do!”

Nic rolled his eyes at her before smiling fondly and waving from his spot on the other side of the door. Arlo followed him out and closed the door all but a tiny sliver.

Curiosity about took over, but she was distracted by the familiar scent in the room. Wendy couldn’t quite place it, not mixed with their scents…

Oh.

Curiosity won out, and she crept closer to the door, listening shamelessly as their voices carried through the crack. “We’ll keep her safe. If the alphas come knocking, we’ll knock right back.”

Nic breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much. I don’t know how to repay you.”

Arlo chuckled. “I get to spend my afternoon off with a beautiful omega and her cat. What more could I ask for?”