Page 97 of In Knots

Chapter 25

As I lie locked with Cam, the others fuss about us, carrying blankets and pillows into Ryan’s and Buzz’s bedroom and rummaging through the kitchen cupboards to pull out boxes and packages.

“What are you doing?” I ask, my eyes growing heavy.

“Setting up a proper nest in the bedroom,” Ryan tells me. “We are not spending the next three days fucking you on the floor, princess. You are too good for that.”

“I like the little nest I built,” I whine, already loving the way it smells of all their scents combined together in one tantalising concoction.

“You can build a better one in the bedroom.” From his tone, I know I won’t have a choice in this matter.

“And all that food?”

“Need to keep our energy up,” Bear says, winking at me. “We are going to need it.”

I leave them to it, falling asleep in Cam’s arms, waking later when the pain starts to rumble in my gut again. Buzz takes my hand and helps me to my feet, even though my ankle feels much better now. The pain in my stomach is too much, though, and I double over.

“Alpha,” I moan, pawing at his chest.

“Come on, baby.” And he scoots me up into his arms and carries me through to the bedroom. I gasp when we enter. They’ve been hard at work. Not only is the bed covered in all sorts of cushions and pillows, blankets and duvets, but they’ve strung fairy lights around the walls and replaced all the prints with soft abstract ones.

“You did all this while I was asleep? I ask.

“We had some help.”

“From whom?”

“I told you Ryan’s mum was excited. She dropped off all sorts of things while you were sleeping.”

“Oh my god,’’ I say, shaking my head. “So embarrassing!”

“It’s not embarrassing,” he says, laying me gently on the mattress. “Anne is an omega herself.”

“Still,” I protest, starting to arrange the pillows and cushions around me in the circular formation I like best.

“The woman’s fucking delighted. She’s been saying for years that our pack needs an omega. And I’m beginning to think she’s right.” He watches me fussing with the covers. “You get this setup as you want, Omega, and when you’re ready …”

I look up at him. “I need …” I say, then stop, feeling more heat in my cheeks.

“What?” he says. “What do you need?”

“Clothing,” I say.

“Clothing,” he repeats with a puzzled frown.

“Your clothing,” I say. “And Ryan’s and Bear’s and Cam’s.” He turns towards the closet. “No, I want something worn. Something that smells like you.”

“Ahhh,” he says, laughing and tugging his t-shirt over his head. He tosses it towards me and then goes to the doorway, beckoning to the others.

“You have to see this, dickheads. Our omega is building a nest, a proper nest.”

I frown at him, but continue my building, despite the gnawing pain in my gut and the throbbing need between my legs. I want this nest to be perfect, perfect for my mates.

Soon all four of the pack are gathered near the doorway watching my progress.

“I’ve never seen an omega build a nest before,” Cam says. “I didn’t realise it would be such a fucking turn-on.”

“She needs your shirts,” Buzz tells them and soon I have a pile of t-shirts that I arrange right in the centre of my nest.

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