Page 107 of Talk About… Rivalry

Bennett’s was a deep, rich contrast. Spicy and tart, mulled wine that made my mouth water.

Maverick’s was there, too, bergamot, vanilla, sandalwood, amber.It was masculine and intense, just like my alpha.

My alpha…that had a nice ring to it. Maybe I could get used to this

Leo stepped into the room a second later, wheeling in a cart full of supplies, from water, energy drinks, simple foods, and an entire pump bottle of lube and even heat-safe condoms if we wanted.

“Holy fuck,” Leo cursed as the door closed behind him. “Sidney.”

My name was a feral groan on his lips and he surged forward, pushing past us to drop in front of me, hands smoothing through my hair.

“Leo,” I whispered, chest warming at his smile. No one had ever looked at me with so much love and adoration. Now I had four men who were ready to tear down the town to find me. It was like I’d been refusing to notice until now. My eyes were open for the first time and I truly saw the way they watched me, protected me, wanted to love me.

And I wanted it, too.

“You smell nice,” I said on a groan. Now that he was right in front of me, his scent of citrus and cedar drowned out the others, wrapping around me in a comforting aroma that had my shoulders unknotting and body leaning closer.

“So do you, Sidney. So fucking good,” he promised, leaning closer and running his nose along my jaw. “No going back now. You’re mine. Apparently, I need to make you say it a few more times.”

“I think I understand now,” I said sheepishly.

The heat subsided again and I sighed, relaxing into the bed.

“You alright, sunshine?” Taylor asked, moving behind me so he could rub my shoulders. I groaned as he dug into the muscles, easing me into a state of pure relaxation.

“Now, I am,” I promised.

“What did the nurse say?” Maverick asked. I looked up to see him staring at Leo expectantly.

“There’s a call button for us to have them deliver food. I chose some selections so we didn’t have to do it later. Water will be delivered to the door twice a day and they’ll have a beta collect any trash we have once a day along with replenishing anything we need,” Leo summarized.

“Dang, that’s kind of nice,” Taylor joked. “Room service during heat is kind of nice.”

“Being in a nest at home has to be better, right?” he asked, looking at both of us.

I shrugged, making him freeze. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had one.”

“What?” Taylor asked, horrified.

“Dad wasn’t the kind to give me extra things like that. Money was tight and he would do anything to pretend I wasn’t an omega like mom. Then, when I was older, the cottage was too small for it and with my fucked up heats I convinced myself it wasn’t necessary.”

“Nests aren’t just for heats,” Bennett said as he sat down next to me. “We’ll have to set you one up. They’re an escape, a safe space when you need it, too.”

“Does the packhouse feel like home?” Leo asked with a frown. I winced, not wanting to lie to him again.

“No,” I admitted. “It feels like someone else’s home. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but nothing in there is mine, just like everywhere else I’ve stayed.”

I couldn’t meet his eyes but Leo wasn’t having it. He tapped my chin with his finger, forcing me to look up at him.

“Hey, it’s okay. I wanted the truth,” he reassured me.

“I think the same thing,” Taylor said. “Not for the same reasons, but it isn’t a cozy home yet.”

“Then we fix it,” Maverick said with a shrug. “There’re stores for that.”

“I have just the store in mind,” Bennett agreed.

“I…” My voice cut off, realizing how stupid it was going to sound when I explained it.

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