Page 13 of Tangled in Knots

It's dropping steadily on us, and I walk toward the front door, forcing our beta to make tracks. He does, after all, have the keys to the house.

“Take the door to the right and go straight down. I’m going to grab blankets. It’s one of the things Zela said Adira would need,” he says.

“Do you have any cold packs? Is there a fridge with a mini freezer downstairs?” I ask, spitting out suggestions.

“Yes, all of that is downstairs. The room we’re putting her in is being remodeled soon into a large theater,” Morris explains before spinning away to get the blankets.

This is a piss poor nest, little rabbit. It’s the best that can be done right now though. Opening the door while holding her, I jog downstairs carefully. My nose tickles with the scent of bleach and floor cleaner. Holding in a sneeze, I walk across the large basement, surveying the area.

There’s a small kitchen to the right, no windows at all, and then a room that I assume is the future theater room. Walking in, I flick the light, humming in annoyance at how bright the glow is. This won’t do at all.

“Why are you staring as if you’re smelling shit?” Demon asks. The fucker was so quiet, I didn’t realize that he was following me.

“The light is too bright in here, and it’s not right,” I grunt. “Ask Morris to find me lamps with shades. Better yet, he’s got nieces right? Steal any fairy lights they may have. If they don’t have any and are an absolute traitor to all things girly, grab some Christmas lights. These lights have got to go.”

Demon stares at me for a moment as if I’ve lost my mind before wheeling away to go back upstairs. Looking down at the little rabbit in my arms, I can feel she’s warming up again. Will a lukewarm bath work for her?

Why did I ignore omega health in high school? Fuck.

“Found some,” Demon says sourly as he walks back in. He looks uncertain as he puts lamps in all four corners on the lowest setting before he shuts off the overhead light. Grunting to himself he looks around as he pulls a stapler from one of his pockets and begins putting up the twinkly lights.

We are not soft men, but these things matter to the little rabbit. A broken omega won’t sell well.

That’s what I’m telling myself. I refuse to look closely at it. I can’t keep her, even as I begin to feel possessive. I just want to help her through this, get my dick wet, and then move on with my life.

I swear. That’s it.

Jed walks in with blankets, Morris following closely behind him.

“The floor is hard.” I don’t know why those are the first words I utter when I see them, but they are.

The little rabbit is burning even hotter now, and I bring her closer to me, giving a practice purr. Whimpering, she relaxes against me, and I rub my shaved cheek against hers. I don’t know what I’m doing. I need a handbook on dummies for omegas.

“Zela didn’t seem to think it would matter when she suggested this room.” Morris shrugs as he lays out the blankets, looking around the room. “This is still shit, but my sister may not beat my ass.”

“It isn’t Hotel Omega, nor is it supposed to be,” Jed reminds me, his voice gravelly as he looks at the omega. “Put her down, Kane. There’s no reason to get attached. She’s not a stray cat.”

“He killed the last one,” Demon reminds us.

“I didn’t mean to,” I mutter. I left the door open and Fluffy was run over by a car. It was the last time I let something follow me home that I could accidentally kill.

Until today.

Adira is homeless, packless, and goddamn does she smell delicious.

“Kane,” my brother reminds me that I was supposed to be doing something. Oh yes, the omega.

Dropping to my knees as Morris stocks the fridge with water and fruit, I lay Adira down on the blanket laden floor. It’s the poor omega’s version of a nest, but it’s the best we can do for now.

As soon as my hands no longer touch her skin, her forehead wrinkles in the most adorable way. Adira appears outrightly offended.

“Alpha,” she whimpers, writhing on the blankets. “Hot. Not right. Ughhh.”

My fingers twitch to help her. What is this little omega doing to me? I want to know what’s right, but I know it could likely be anything. I am paralyzed by inadequacy, something I’ve never had a problem with in my life.

“What does she need?” Demon asks softly.

“You, you idiots,” Morris mutters. Glancing up, I see the beta attempting to exit the makeshift nest, his cock just as hard as ours is. I can see the thick indentation under his pants, and I know he wants her.

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