Page 115 of Cost of Courting

“Where did these blankets come from?”

“Oh, umm?” Bailey’s face gets splotchy.

“Were you nesting?” I ask gently with a smile. I feel like crap, but this small thing is like liquid sunlight.

He shrugs. “Maybe. Is that okay?”

“Yes. I mean, I’m glad you feel comfortable to do it. I love that for you.”

He growls and straddles me. “For us. We’re going to nest together.”

The savage earnestness in his face takes me aback.

“Okay.”

“Good.”

Kingston frowns. I catch sight of it out of the corner of my eyes. But when I turn to look at him, it’s gone in a flash.

“I know what you guys are doing.”

“And?” Mael murmurs as he passes a steaming mug into my hands.

“You don’t need to do this. I can take care of myself. I don’t need to be-”

“Pampered?”

“Cared for?”

“Shown that you are important?”

“Loved?”

I huff and take a sip of the drink even though I think my throat is sealed shut.

Why do their words mean so much more with Luna’s accusations still ringing in my ears?

Edric sits beside me, and Mael sits in front of him. I watch in fascination as the latter wraps his arm around Edric’s calf and leans against him.

Kingston squeezes in so he’s pressed up against me, and Bailey takes the other side.

I focus on the movie. It’s an action, which is good because I hate romances. I try to focus on the movie, but all I can think about are the four alphas surrounding me.

We’re about halfway into the movie when Bailey’s scent changes.

Kingston turns his head and watches him intently.

I can sense the tension in Bailey as he fights it. With a sigh of pure frustration, I twist in my seat and narrow my eyes.

“Stop fighting it.”

Bailey’scheeks go red. “I’m not.”

“You are. Stop fighting it. Does it occur to you that the reason your designation is coming through right now is because you feel safe?”

Bailey blinks.

“You are safe here with your alphas, and that means you don’t have to be constantly on guard and wondering where the danger is. Omega, you are allowed to relax and be happy.”

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