Chapter Twenty Eight.

The next morning, I wake up to soft murmurs around me and instinctively nuzzle into the pillow beneath my head, snuggling deeper into its warmth. But then I realize—oh. Not a pillow. I sniff a little, the familiar scent flooding my senses.

Mmm, Elias.

The pillow chuckles beneath me, his gravelly voice teasing. “Did you just sniff me?”

I look up to find his green eyes sparkling with amusement, while mine are bleary and probably cockeyed. My cheeks flush, and I cringe, but the warmth of his presence is too comforting to resist. I cuddle into his chest, seeking refuge from the morning light.

Elias wraps his arm around me, pulling me closer and turning us to the side. The warmth of his body envelops me, and I feel a wave of drowsiness wash over me again. The soft murmurs around us fade into the background, replaced by the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat beneath my ear.

“Go back to sleep, beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice low and soothing.

I obey, letting the comfort of his embrace lull me back into a peaceful slumber. In this cocoon of warmth and safety, I drift off, savouring the sensation of being held, feeling the remnants of last night’s adventures wrap around me like a comforting blanket.

As I slip deeper into sleep, I catch snippets of laughter and soft conversations.

~~~~

When I wake up next, I find myself naked and alone. A soft stretch awakens my muscles, and I sit up, glancing around to see that everyone has left. Curiosity about the time nudges me to crawl out of bed, and I remember my phone is in the lounge room.

As I stagger out of the cozy bedroom, the soft light gives way to the blinding brightness of the hallway. I squint, making my way to the lounge. There, I spot my phone resting on the coffee table. I grab it, checking the time and quickly replying to a message from my mother.

“Woah, hey, you all good?” I hear a voice from behind me. I turn to see Micah leaning casually against the doorframe, his eyes sparkling with a mix of desire and amusement as he takes in the sight of me, biting his lip.

“Hm?” I question, slightly bewildered.

He looks pointedly down at me, and I follow his gaze, suddenly realizing I’m still naked, remnants of the night before scattered across my skin. “Oh,” I whisper, my face flushing crimson as I lock eyes with him. Embarrassment washes over me, and I turn on my heel, sprinting back toward the bedroom, my laughter mingling with his as I go.

“Don’t run away!” Micah calls after me, his voice playful.

I feel a mix of shyness and exhilaration as I reach the safety of the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind me.

~~~

Not long after, I’m in the shower when I hear a knock on the bathroom door. “Come in!” I call, wondering what else I could possibly say.

“Hey,” Micah smiles as he steps inside, leaning casually against the doorframe.

“Hey you,” I reply, grinning back. “How are you feeling?”

“Amazing,” he beams, his eyes shining with the remnants of last night’s excitement. He watches me with an intensity that makes my heart flutter. “How are you?”

“Amazing,” I giggle, stepping out of the shower and reaching for my towel. Before I can grab it, Micah snatches it up for me and starts drying me off, his touch gentle yet electrifying. I flush under his attention, warmth spreading across my skin.

“Good,” he says simply, his focus unwavering.

“You must be hungry,” he continues, wrapping me in the towel and taking my hand, leading me out into the nest.

“The others are gone for the day and won’t be back until tonight. They wanted to say goodbye, but I promised them I’d convince you to stay another night.” He glances back at me as we walk down the hallway, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I feel heat creeping up my cheeks, but I can’t help but giggle. “Maaaaybe.”

We reach the kitchen, and he pauses, looking around. Micah heads to the fridge, then looks back at me, a sheepish expression crossing his face. “Uh… can you cook?” he asks, scratching his head as if the answer might magically appear.

I bite my lip, laughing. “Nope!” I exclaim with a playful pout. “Do you?”

He cringes, shaking his head in mock despair. “Not at all. I can make a mean bowl of cereal, though!”

“Perfect!” I laugh, the sound light and carefree. “How about we have a cereal party?”

Micah chuckles, clearly amused. “A cereal party it is! I’ll grab the milk.”

As he rummages through the cupboards, I can’t help but admire the playful dynamic between us. There’s a sense of comfort and ease that makes me feel at home, and I realize I could get used to this.

“After breakfast, we can figure out something fun to do today,” he says, pouring cereal into two bowls. “Maybe a movie marathon or just hanging out?”

“Sounds perfect,” I reply, my heart swelling with warmth.

We settle on a movie marathon, and luckily, Micah feels confident about microwaving popcorn—a skill that quickly becomes our triumphant success. High on our little victory, we snuggle under a cozy blanket, the warmth wrapping around us like a comforting cocoon as we dive into the first film.

Time slips away as we get lost in the stories unfolding on the screen, both of us completely absorbed until we hear the front door click open. Instantly, we perk up like eager pups, curiosity getting the best of us as we glance toward the entrance.

A grin spreads across my face as Callum strolls through, tossing his bag carelessly onto the floor before flinging himself down beside us. “How’s my sweet omegas?” he asks, his voice dripping with affection.

I lean in and nuzzle his neck, inhaling his clean scent, which fills me with a sense of joy and safety. He strokes my chin gently, his eyes searching mine. “Are you feeling okay?” he asks, his tone serious as he checks for any signs of deception.

I can’t help but smile brightly, nodding enthusiastically as I lean in to give him a sweet kiss. He returns it wholeheartedly, and I feel a rush of warmth spread through me. But just as quickly, he rips himself away, a playful look in his eyes. “I gotta shower, but I’ll be back.”

As he heads toward the bathroom, he glances back at us, eyeing the empty popcorn bowl. “Have you two eaten anything other than popcorn today?” he asks, a brow raised in mock disapproval.

Micah and I share a sheepish look, the realization of our popcorn feast sinking in. “Uh… just Cereal,” I admit with a laugh, my cheeks flushing slightly.

Callum shakes his head, a smile creeping onto his face. “You two are hopeless. I’ll whip up something for you once I’m done. Just try not to snack on the whole kitchen while I’m gone.”

“Promise!” Micah calls after him, excitement bubbling in his voice.

As Callum disappears into the bathroom, Micah and I exchange amused glances. “What should we do while we wait?” he asks, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

“More movies?” I suggest, but he shakes his head, a playful grin forming.

“Let’s do something a little more fun. How about a snack scavenger hunt? We can try to find something to eat before Callum gets back!”

“Challenge accepted!” I laugh, the thought of a little adventure igniting a spark of excitement in me.

We spring into action, the blanket forgotten as we race around the kitchen, searching for hidden treats, the laughter echoing through the house.