Page 48 of Pack Down Bad

Midday sun streams in through a massive window, bathing everything in warm, golden tones that make the space feel so inviting. Outside, snow-dusted pines stretch into the distance, a view that could have been handpicked from a dream I didn't even know I had until this moment. Beige, thick linen curtains frame the window, ready to close the nest off from the world if I ever need to turn the space more dim and private.

Across from the bed, a huge flat-screen television hangs on the wall, perfectly positioned for future cozy movie nights.

Along another wall, there's a shelving unit made of pine wood with a few miscellaneous items and baskets decorating the otherwise sparse shelves. My eyes settle on a stack of fluffy blankets on one of the shelves, stocked for me as if the universe whispered to the guys that I would want every soft material they could get their hands on.

A warm feeling spreads through my belly as I take everything in.

"I built that myself," Rhys says from the doorway. "We didn't fill all the shelves so that there would be space for whatever our omega needed when you came along."

I smile and look over at them where they stand with matching amused expressions, all still outside the room, hanging in the hallway.

"Why are you all out there?" I ask with a slight frown. I expected them to wander in while I was face-down in the cloud bed.

Percy shrugs, his shoulders knocking Knox and Rhys on either side of him because they're pressed so close together to watch me from the doorway. "This is your space, Belle. You have all the power here, so it's your choice if we enter and whether we stay or go."

Oh.

So sweet and so unnecessary.

I'm tempted to cry into the super soft pillow I just realized I'm clutching to my chest. Of course I want them in here with me. I want to cuddle them in this cloud bed and take the best nap ever. And later, I want to wake up in their arms feeling safer than I've ever been.

How do I make sure they understand that despite everything, I trust them? I don't want things to be awkward or uncertain when my heat hits. If they need reassurance from me, I'm happy to give that to them.

"Can we spend the rest of today watching movies and cuddling in the nest?" I ask, my voice growing softer and shy.

As soon as the words are out, the energy between us seems to instantly relax, a weight lifting off of all of us. The tension doesn't vanish completely, but it noticeably softens around the edges.

The three alphas look between themselves for confirmation before nodding along as a group.

I love that their pack has so much history, reading each other's expressions and having whole conversations without speaking a word. Even better, they don't make me feel like an outsider during these moments, even though I don't quite share that same connection with them... yet.

"Anything you want," Knox assures me, speaking on behalf of the pack.

I nod, dropping my gaze shyly to the pillow in my arms. "I think... I don't want to be left alone, please."

"You never have to be alone again, if you don't want," Percy vows, his voice full of promise.

Rhys is the first to move. He kicks off his boots and pulls his hoodie over his head, dropping it on top of a basket in the corner near the door that I notice is also full of blankets. As if he's been waiting for this specific invitation his entire life, he moves at the speed of light.

"I call left side!" he announces, his playful tone making me smile. He throws himself onto the bed with nearly as much enthusiasm as I did, and I laugh as his weight sends me bouncing on the mattress.

Percy follows more calmly. He approaches the bed with slow, measured steps, his eyes watching me carefully to check in with every step closer he gets. When he reaches the bed, he sits on the edge of the mattress with his body angled toward mine. His choice feels protective. Like he'd come closer if asked, but he's not going to push his luck and crowd me.

Unsurprisingly, Knox is the last to enter.

He steps into the room and closes the door behind him. I watch in rapt fascination as he leans over and digs under Rhys's hoodie for a big, fluffy blanket. He walks over and tosses the blanket over the three of us before climbing in between Percy and me.

Percy nabs the remote for the TV off the nightstand on his side and queues up the main screen. I ignore the pang in my chest that hits when I see the full bars of wireless advertised at the top of the screen.

"What are you in the mood for?" Percy asks me. "Something funny?"

"Definitely something funny." I nod as I settle deeper into the pillow fortress at the head of the bed. "Nothing sad. I don't want to be sad."

"You got it, sweetheart." Percy flicks through the streaming options as he snuggles in closer against Knox.

Time to hit pause on serious thoughts and just enjoy this perfect moment with them.

I'm not sure what movie they eventually choose because within minutes, my eyelids grow heavy. I tuck my hands under my cheek as sleep begins to pull me under, muting the background noise of the TV.

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