Page 36 of Pack Me Up
She laughs. “It’s impressive.”
I shrug, awkward. “You deserve good things. That’s all.”
She lets that sit for a second. “You, too.”
I’m not accustomed to receiving reassurance. It feels raw, but in a way that makes me want to try harder.
I check the time and realize I’ve lingered way longer than I meant to. The others are probably waiting by the car now.
“The pack wants to take you nest shopping now, like we mentioned the other day , if you’re up for it.”
Brittney’s expression changes. Not happy, something smaller, sadder. She shrinks into herself a little, arms wrapping around her knees.
“If you want to,” I add, “it’s totally up to you. We can skip it, if that’s what you want, but you’ll need supplies for your nest.”
She shakes her head, but doesn’t meet my eyes. “It’s not that. I just-” She tugs at a loose thread in the comforter, twisting it between her fingers. “I haven’t been paid for the tour yet. So… I can’t really go shopping for anything right now.”
There it is. The reason for the sadness in her scent and the hunched posture.
I never want my omega to feel this way. Not while I’m alive and can support her.
I feel my body shift without conscious thought. My shoulders square, jaw locks, and the old, familiar comfort of authority slides into place. This is what I was built for. Not comfort, not kindness, but fixing what needs fixing.
I step closer, let my voice drop into that register that means I’m not asking. “We’ll cover it.”
She hesitates, eyes wide. “You don’t have to-”
“I want to,” I say, not breaking eye contact. “This is one of those times when being bossy comes in handy.” I let a smile break the edge of my mouth, just enough to show I’m not mad. “It’s what I’m here for.”
She’s still not sure, but now it’s a different kind of uncertainty. I can see the fight between standing her ground and accepting help. Omegas deserve to be cared for. Accepting it should be a natural part of her.
“It’s a lot,” she says, voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t want to be a burden.”
I close the last gap between us, standing at the edge of her bed. My scent fills the space, and I know she feels it. Her pupils dilate, her breath speeds up. I’m careful not to loom, but I don’t back down.
“You’re not a burden. You’re ours.”
The word lands heavily in the room. She looks up, searching my face for any sign of a joke or a trap. There’s nothing but truth.
“Okay,” she says. “I’ll go nest shopping with you.”
The relief is instant, and I don’t bother hiding it. I let myself smile for real this time, the kind of smile that doesn’t hurt to hold.
“Good,” I say. “Fox is already making a list. Be warned, he takes these things very seriously.”
She laughs again, the sound lighter than before. “I appreciate that.”
She’s looking at me now, really looking. There’s trust in it, a new layer that wasn’t there half an hour ago.
I reach out, let my hand rest on her shoulder, not forceful, just steady. “You’ll be alright here. I’ll make sure of it.”
She nods, eyes shining. “I believe you.”
And I promise to honor that belief in me.
Brittney
ALPHA TEA GOSSIP COLUMN
