Trick gathers her in his arms. She cuddles into his lap and rubs her cheek on his shoulder.

“She seemed to think that her heats were bad, but she’s been pretty lucid. We only need to keep her satisfied and prevent her from crossing the boundaries she set.”

“I’m going to move some supplies,” Vin says and slips out the door.

“Need to go,” she murmurs. “This isn’t right.”

I don’t like seeing her like this. Her bright, beautiful eyes zing wildly around the room.

Trick stands while still cradling her in his arms, and she snuggles into his neck.

“Smells so good,” she mutters. “So yummy. My alpha’s delicious. Let me taste you. Knot me after.”

He grunts, and I follow him to the room at the end of the hall.

“Come on, alpha. I’m a good girl. You said so before.”

“The best girl,” he replies. “We’re going to get settled first.”

“Can settling include a knot?”

“So much trouble.”

“Every day. Have to keep you on your toes. Your mad face is fun and hot.”

Trick stops short to glare at her, and I burst out laughing.

“I like her like this,” I inform him. “Izzy barely holds back as it is, but this is hilarious.

Izzy’s sheets are unmade but I know firsthand they’re incredibly soft.

Trick sets her on the bed, and she rolls around on the surface. She sighs and rubs her arms over the cotton.

“Soft. Very nice. You’re a good alpha, Trick. Still not right though. Too bright. Wrong color. Needs to be happier. I want a happy space. Haven’t had a space of my own in so long. This one can be mine.”

He doesn’t seem to know how to respond to that.

The white slacks and blouse from the fundraiser hit the floor quickly. She strips out of a barely-existing thong and bra so that she’s completely nude.

Izzy continues rolling around on the bed. She sighs happily.

“Come in the bed with me, alphas. You’ll like this. I made sure it smells like me and it feels like home.”

Trick leans over to whisper in my ear.

“There’s some support items in the nest. Rectangle button behind the dresses. Close the door before you go. I don’t want her to freak out when we tell her we can’t go in there.”

Nodding, I head for the closet. As I close the double doors behind me, Izzy’s still babbling.

“Too many clothes, Trick.”

He chuckles and she gasps.

Alright, I need to get back immediately.

The nest in the next room is smaller than I thought it would be. The low ceiling and dim lights would be perfect for what she wants.

She said she doesn’t want to use this room, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why. There’s even a small, attached bathroom with a shower-tub. The mini fridge hums a gentle white noise.