Page 41 of A Pack of Cozy

"Connor mentioned that," Greg says from across the table. "He says they're betas, right? Married but not part of a pack?"

I nod. If they have concerns about their sons being involved with someone from outside pack life, they don't show it. Their questions feel friendly and conversational rather than interrogative. The difference in their reaction compared to my own parents' is so stark that it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. When I examine the feeling, I realize it's stale. Something I've held onto for so long about my perceptions of what a family should be vs. what I actually had with mine. It doesn't belong in my life anymore.

So, I take a deep breath and let it go. If my parents ever realize their issues and come back to me with love and understanding I know I won't be able to turn away. But if they never do, that's their loss. I have what I need right here at this table.

"You went nest shopping today?" Alejandro asks. I nod. He takes Dan's hand on one side and Trisha's on the other. "I remember when we went nest shopping for the first time. I was so nervous about making everything perfect for the pack."

I feel relaxed now that we've moved away from the topic of families.

Miriam's small smile belies her serious nature. "But you did, and always have," she assures him.

"Back then, they didn't have the big box stores like The Nest Shop. It was all mom-and-pop places, small nooks filled with charm, and you had to wander from store to store to find what you were looking for." As Alejandro reminisces, a wistful look in his eyes, I realize these moments we're sharing will become our most cherished memories in the years to come.

The guys sense the weight of the moment, too. Bax's hand finds its way to my thigh beneath the table, his thumb tracing lazy circles that send a shiver through me. On my other side, Connor's fingers intertwine with mine. I can feel the gentle pressure of Seth's hand on my shoulder as he reaches an arm around Bax to touch me, grounding me in the warmth of our small group. Everything feels perfect, surrounded by happy conversation.

"I remember you searched high and low for these specific triangle pillows that were all the rage back then," Sara adds, and they all chuckle.

"If I remember, we made excellent use of those triangle pillows. It's why Seth is even here," Greg reminds them. Everyone laughs harder when Seth makes a gagging sound.

"Please, god, no heat talk in front of the children," Connor begs.

"Are you supposed to be the children here? If so, why do you eat so much?" Miriam asks. The tall alpha cracking a joke makes me feel more comfortable. This is a family. A real one that laughs, jokes, and cries together. I've been allowed to see what it can and should be like and be a part of one. The entire meal continues like that. Jokes, stories, and questions, and before I know it, Tupperware full of leftovers are being pressed into our hands, and we're in the car and on the road back to Lakeside Point.

Seth

Cali'sbeenworkingtoassemble the nest and the room, and we, as her pack, have been helping in any way we can. She's already taken our clothes and some of our blankets to place around the nest. Omega's like their alphas scents to permeate their nest areas for comfort. I've installed a small counter with a mini fridge and a microwave. Connor has pre-made a bunch of meals that can be easily heated up. We've read all the books available on omega heats at the Library. Though there will be significant periods of rest and eating, it's akin to a marathon of bonding and sex. We won't have a lot of time between heat spikes. I'm sure there won't be enough time to make whole meals.

Cali won't want her alphas to leave the nest for longer than short bursts. With the trauma from her last partner leaving her alone during her heats, her omega may need even more assurance in this area. We can't plan for that. The omega psyche is basically its own being. Cali was not technically conscious for her last heats, even though she can hazily remember them, and doesn't know how deeply her omega's trauma runs.

As I walk into the house for lunch, the strong, slightly burnt scent of Cali hits me.

"Cali?" I call out. It's her day off, and I've returned to have lunch with her and check if she needs anything. When she doesn't respond, I quickly make my way upstairs. "Cali?" I knock on her door.

A muffled voice replies, "Come in."

I slowly open the door to find the room in darkness and the blankets in a mound over a slightly moving object. I sit on the edge of the bed and pull the covers down. Cali looks at me with a flushed face, wild hair, and blown pupils. I put my fingers on her forehead, and she whines.

"Cali, you're burning up. Are you sick?"

She huffs. Cali's well known for losing her voice in high-emotion situations, but this is different. I peer at her closer, wishing the light was on, but she keens when I move toward the switch near the bed. My hand freezes, and I look back at her and realize I'm not looking at Cali anymore. I'm looking at her omega. Her heat has come early.

"Okay," I breathe, trying not to panic. Obviously, I've never been part of a heat before, and books can only do so much to prepare. Why did this happen to me? Everyone knows I'm the person with the least chill in the house. I freak out when the furnace filter needs to be changed. Now, taking care of and organizing the beginning phase of Cali's heat has come down on my shoulders.

I scramble with my phone and stand to call the guys and get some stuff from downstairs. But when I make to step away, Cali whines in a way that tears out my heart. I turn to find her arm outstretched and tears in her eyes.

Oh, right, the abandonment trauma by her ex.At that moment, I can't, for the life of me, figure out why we didn't run over that man with Bax's truck and bury him in the woods. I sit back down on the bed and gather her into my arms.

"I'm not leaving you. I will never leave you," I say as she nuzzles into my shoulder. I bring my phone around enough to unlock it and type a short message to the guys.

Seth:

Cali's heat early. Come home. Bring shit up to the suite with you.

I don't want them to come without provisions. It'll probably be a long time until Cali doesn't need us.

She keens again.

"Do you want to go into your nest, Precious?" I ask, stroking her hair between my fingers. We've got a lot of items stocked, and some items help relieve pain. She nods but is still curled up, clutching her abdomen. I scoop her up, her head tucked under my chin and carry her to the door. Inside is beautiful. It's the first time seeing her nest fully finished. It reminds me of our date under the stars. I scent mark her cheek.

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