Chapter 23: : Chapter 22

“

here is she?” I growl, finally making it in the door from the longest fucking day at work ever.

All damn day, the only thing I could focus on was how Chelsea was.

Arden sent me a quick text this afternoon to let me know her appointment went well, but I’m jealous as fuck that I wasn’t with them.

And part of me understands that we have to tread carefully. Omegas are more likely to cut and run than any designation, but it feels like, if she would let us in, we could take the majority of stress off her plate.

“You forgot to warn me the delivery from the baby store was coming this afternoon.” Kase shoves himself off the couch, jabbing a finger at my chest. “You’re damn lucky Arden had the presence of mind to distract her, because I had nothing.”

“Fuck,” I hiss, swiping my hair back from my face. “Wait, you called to pay for it, asshole. I’m sure they told you when it would be delivered, because they didn’t tell me.”

Kase’s forehead wrinkles. “If they did, I wasn’t paying attention.”

Yeah, that seems to be a running theme with the three of us. Of course, the client was an easy sell, and they wanted their system installed today. I spent all afternoon listening to a new parent podcast, trying to memorize important milestones for Luna. Once that was over, I switched to one for dads and what to expect going into delivery and the postpartum period.

A-fucking-pparently, Chelsea is going to have a plate-sized wound in her uterus from where the placenta detaches. That shit is fucking terrifying. I don’t have the first clue if it’s accurate or if they were exaggerating to scare the shit out of dads-to-be, but it worked.

I spent half the time I was running wires and drilling holes worrying about what happens if there’s a blood shortage. The three of us could donate, but who the fuck knows if we’re a match… Which led me to contemplate how I could covertly check her blood type to kidnap a few assholes to keep on hand in case of a crisis. Then I spent some additional time wondering who has a lab we could borrow to test their blood to ensure the donation would be safe, and by the time I was done, I was half fucking feral.

Not that I’m in any better shape now. Sky bumps her head against my hand, and I curse under my breath as I scratch her ears.

“Will you take her for her run?” I practically beg Kase. “I need to put my eyes on Chelsea before I lose my shit. Where is she, anyway?”

“I guess,” Kase says, gesturing to Sky. “Arden showed Chelsea to the nest when we got back. She rambled that it wasn’t necessary and how she could never take over someone else’s nest, but by the time I got done showing the delivery guys where to unload all the baby stuff, she was in there.” He shrugs. “We both went in a few times to check on her, but she kept kicking us out. Arden finally gave up and took a shower, then he left to grab dinner, since neither of us felt like cooking.”

My head whips toward the stairs. “She’s in the nest?”

Kase nods. “Yup.”

Holy fucking shit.

That’s a very good sign. I jog off without a backward glance, but once I hit the stairs, I call out, “Don’t skimp on Sky’s run. Twenty minutes in each direction, or she’ll pace the floor bare all night.”

“Yeah,” Kase grumbles. “Got it.”

Everything in me aches to head straight for the nest, but I’m still in my work clothes, which are covered in sawdust, attic grime, and sweat. The latter Chelsea probably wouldn’t mind, but the other two lead me to my room for a quick change.

Shoving my door open, I tug my shirt off and chuck it in the direction of the laundry basket without making sure it lands inside.

A very omega-sounding squeak fills the air, and my head swivels. My shirt landed on Chelsea’s back and ass, and she’s bent over with her top half in my dirty laundry basket.

A lazy smile crosses my face. She’s digging for my used laundry, and it makes me feel like a fucking king.

Omegas often fill their nests with bedding, pillows, and worn clothing that smells like their alphas.

Chelsea struggles to get upright, yanking the shirt from her back and holding it to her chest. “This isn’t what it looks like.” Her chin tips in the air as her adorable little nose wrinkles.

That was a flat-out lie.

I chuckle and swagger closer as she hungrily rakes her gaze from my shoulders, down my chest, and doesn’t stop until she’s staring at my boots.

“Really?” I pull her closer with a hand on her hip. “Because it looks like you’re stealing my dirty clothes to stash in your nest.”

“Okay, so it is what it looks like,” she admits, burying her face in my chest. “Shit, Linc. You must have worked hard today. You smell sweaty and manly and so good.” Her head bobs up and down as she agrees with herself.

“Ehh, it was just one installation, but I was stuck up in the attic for half of it.” I grimace, realizing I’m probably covered in fiberglass and a bunch of other shit that should never come in contact with her soft skin. Her hands land on my shoulders, and it takes me a while to determine that she wants me to pick her up. “I want to hold you so damn bad, but I’m covered in fiberglass from their attic insulation. It’s itchy and not good for you or the baby.” Bringing my hand between us, I palm the baby belly. “How about I take a quick shower, then I’ll help you snag my sheets? They’ll be the perfect item to help your nest smell like me.”

Her lower lip rolls through her teeth, and it looks like she’s considering my offer. “Okay,” she finally agrees. “But can I have a kiss now?”

Jesus fucking Christ. She’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

“Yeah, sweetheart.” Like I could deny her anything…except space from me.

I’m going to need her to get on board with the fact she’s found her pack before I do something stupid, like kidnap her ass and refuse to let her leave.

My lips push against hers, and my hand tightens on her ass. She smells strongly of Arden and Kase. A low growl rattles out of my chest. My instincts ache to cover her in my scent too, but that’ll have to wait until I’m clean.

If we play our cards right, she’ll smell like me and my packmates all the time. Her scent will hold tinges of ours once she’s permanently claimed. And seeing my mating bite marring her perfect skin will be damn satisfying.

A physical warning to the rest of the world that she’s taken.