Page 49 of Knot My Sin

There’s a spot on the sunken couch I’m realizing that Wren really likes, that is by the window. The last week has been the five of us figuring out our way, reminding her she’s safe, and that we won’t physically hurt her.

In other ways, we scare her without meaning to. Shaw is naturally loud, and there are times she’ll jump at the slightest noise. Flynn told us not to change the way we are, she needs to learn we aren’t going to hurt her.

Fuck, I want to kill the person who hurt her. The way she nonchalantly said Trey punished her for any reason made me see red. I ache to hug her, drop my head in her lap to snuggle her, but I don’t think she’s ready for that. I’m jealous of how easy Flynn and her relationship is going, and I’ve never hated being an alpha before.

Shaw, Everest, and I are big fuckers. It’s easy to forget until Wren shies away from us or ducks around us to get some space. I’m still sleeping on her floor, and occasionally Everest will come join me. The nightmares still wake her up screaming, and sometimes, Flynn will crawl into bed with her if it’s a particularly bad one.

God, I wish I could reach inside her mind and give her good dreams so she could just get some sleep. In the mornings, she apologizes, but I refuse to hear it. We all don’t want her apologies, we want her to find her way to a better life than what she had. I want to give that to her.

It’s just clear to me as well that Wren is going to need to fight to get through her personal demons as well.

“Hey honey,” I murmur, padding slowly down into the living space.

The quick inhale she takes as she stiffens is noticeable, but not as bad as other times where we’ve startled her.

“Hey, Ambrose,” Wren says, pulling her eyes from the backyard.

“What are you watching out there?” I ask, easing myself onto the couch next to her. My shoulder length hair is tied back, and I’m dressed for work.

Corbin has a job for us, so Everest, Shaw, and I are going to be gone for a bit. I’m glad Wren will be here, because Flynn is nearing his heat. He washed all of the sheets, ordered new ones because they weren’t soft enough, and changed the curtains around the nest’s bed. The guys and I are a bit worried about leaving him right now, but we should be back before he starts the spike. He insists it’s not time yet as well.

“I was watching the birds ride the gusts of wind,” Wren murmurs. “They look so free and happy.”

“Why do you like to watch them?” I ask. She still doesn’t talk much to us, so when she does I can’t help myself from asking her questions to be able to hear her sweet, dulcet tones.

“I wish I could feel like that,” she says with a sigh. My heart cramps at the admission, and I find myself rubbing my chest.

“Can I hold you?” I ask. I can’t haul her into my lap whenever I want. I need express consent until she’s more comfortable around us.

Wren needs time. I just have to continue to remind myself of this.

Nodding, she crawls into my lap, letting me wrap my arms around her. Purring as my lips brush her forehead, we both relax against each other. Biology pulls us together, even if she doesn’t completely understand it since Shaw is pack. She's ours, and I’m itching for the day we can claim her.

It’s just too soon still.

“You’re all dressed,” she notices. “Where are you going?”

The three of us haven’t really left together all week. Shaw has done a couple of jobs, as has Everest, but I’ve been home for the most part.

“I have to go to work with the guys,” I explain. “We’re going to be gone awhile, and Flynn is nesting, so I’m a little worried.”

“You’re still going, though?”

I can tell what she’s thinking: “Of course you are”.

“It’s not that simple, but Flynn also told me he’s a few days out. The roads are clear, it’s not going to rain again, and our boss knows we’re on a time crunch. We’ll be home for his heat, Wren,” I rumble.

“Okay,” she says softly. “I noticed he’s felt twitchy, but I’ve never nested before so I didn’t understand what it was.”

Being taken at such a young age, without anyone to explain things to her, has really put her at a disadvantage.

“It’s all good. My number is in Flynn’s phone. If something happens, text me, okay? We’re only going to be an hour out today,” I tell her, smoothing her hair.

Wren’s lips twist in thought, and I get the feeling that this slip of an omega is currently judging me.

“Let me have it, little girl. You look like you’re stewing,” I say with a chuckle.

Sitting up, she lifts her hand before dropping it in annoyance. “Why do you have to go at all? I once heard that there was some kind of understanding employers have when their omegas go into heat,” she huffs.

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