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I woke before her again and found Billie still fast asleep as well. My stomach growled, so I shuffled into the kitchen. We would all need food, but Nicky likely wouldn’t want to go out for it. I could order us takeout, though I wasn’t certain what all she liked.
She didn’t have a lot of food in her fridge, which left few options. My instincts nudgedhardto provide for her, but since she wasn’t providing well for herself with her food supplies, that made it more difficult.
I slipped back into the bedroom and ran a gentle hand over Nicky's cheek. Her eyes snapped open and she stiffened, relaxing again with a soft smile when she recognized it was me.
“Hey baby girl, I’m going to order some food. What's your favourite?”
She closed her eyes for a moment, and, right as I wondered if she had fallen back asleep, she whispered, “I’m really craving some tiramisu.”
I smiled and tapped her nose. “I’m happy to order you dessert, but you should have something a little more substantial, too.”
She sighed and stretched, a little more awake when she looked at me again. “There's a really good Italian place nearby that has amazing stuffed shells. I don’t know what time it is, but, as long as it's after eleven-thirty, they should be making pasta.”
I pulled out my phone and got the name of the restaurant from her, placing an order for her stuffed shells and tiramisu, as well as a pair of minestrone soups and a couple of baked lasagnas. We had the option of picking it up in fifteen minutes or waiting an hour for delivery, so I let my betas know and slipped out to fetch our food.
Nicky was considerably more bright-eyed and calm when I returned. I kept my palm on the back of her neck as she inhaled her tiramisu, enjoying the sweet, grateful look in her eye whenever she turned to me for reassurance. She moved closer and ate her pasta with our knees touching.
“Thank you for doing all of this,” she said quietly. “I’ll pay you back for the food.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Billie said. “This is for your enjoyment.”
Nicky lapsed into silence, picking at the last half of her food.
“Do you want me to pack that up for you, baby girl?”
“I can do it.”
“Iwantto do it,” I said. She let me gather her container up, and I popped on the lid, putting it into the refrigerator. “How are you feeling now?”
“A lot better, thank you.”
“So,” said Billie, “I know we’re supposed to be doing the whole space thing so you don’t feel suffocated by my exuberance, but I would really like it if you would come and stay with us today. Or we can stay here.”
“Jasper has more gifts of bread for you at the pack house if you do come over,” I said.
Nicky laughed. “Well, how can I refuse in that case?”
“Billie will help you pack up whatever you need for work and for the rest of the day. Spud is more than welcome, and we can drive you to work so you can take your car home in the morning. Sound okay?”
She fidgeted in place. “I don’t work tonight. Not until Sunday.”
“Stay as long as you like, then,” I said. “However long makes you comfortable.”
I tidied up while my betas started packing and getting Nicky dressed, beyond grateful that she had called us for help. That woman had wormed her way right under my skin and straight into my heart in a matter of days. I didn’t want to think about what would’ve happened if she hadn’t called us, or if we hadn’t gotten there in time.
I pushed down the swell of panic and rage.
She was safe now. And I was going to make sure she stayed that way.
17
JASPER
Ipacedthekitchenas I waited for them to arrive. The focaccia I had brought home for Nicky sat on the counter wrapped in plastic. It was such a small thing I could do for her. I hoped it would help.
Tony and Billie had gotten to spend way more time with her than I had. If she was going to stay with us for a couple days, then I could hopefully steal a few hours to get to know her better. I had no immediate opposition to her joining our pack, though it was still too early to say that out loud. She had good vibes, and they made my instincts happy.
The tension in Tony when I had called was easily discernible. My poor alpha. He didn’t often let his distress show, but I could tell with only a few syllables that Nicky being in trouble had wrung him out.
