Page 19 of Marigold Run

“But there are only two other rooms here.” Mari turns, looking back down the hallway. “Do two of you share?”

“Hutch and I share,” Dassy says.

He and I used to have separate bedrooms, but we found ourselves both wanting to be with our beta whenever we could, so it’s easier to share the space. It doesn't bother us. We’ve been sharing everything since the womb.

“After you, goldie.” Dassy opens Mari’s bedroom door, then he steps to one side so she can take the lead.

The omega’s eyes go wide as she walks into the brightly lit room. Sunlight pours in from the large windows on either side of the glass balcony door. Suncatchers hanging from the windows throw off rainbows, making them dance across the pale pink carpet and sage colored walls.

“This is really nice,” Mari says as if impressed. She admires the sitting area in the corner, with a plush, cream-colored sitting chair and couch. Then she takes in her dresser, the small desk, and the built-in bookshelves next to the door. All the furniture is white, but the pile of nesting materials next to the balcony are all different colors. Mostly pastels, but still colorful.

Mari is silent as she moves to the center of the room. Everly moves with her. I can sense the beta’s warring need to stay plastered to Mari’s side, but also to give her space. I understand her conflicting desires.

“What’s that?” Mari points at a long rectangular device installed in the ceiling.

“It’s an air purifier,” I say.

“It recycles the air,” Dassy finishes explaining it for me. “It will keep out any foreign scents, but will also keep your pheromones confined to your room once your heat starts.”

Mari's eyes widen at that as she gives a jerky nod. I want to assure her that no one outside of our pack would ever touch her during her heat, but I don’t want her to think this is a dangerous house filled with dangerous people. Our home isverysecure.

Walking slowly, Mari examines the trinkets on the dresser, then the trio of paintings hanging above it. Each one is of a different flower. red roses, yellow daisies, and white lilies. She stares at the roses. I can’t tell if she likes it or not. Her expression is tight. Maybe even sad.

“We can buy you whatever you want to decorate,” Everly says, squeezing her hands together. She can sense there’s something off with Mari as well. “We can even redo the entire room. Even the bathroom.” She points to the omega’s private bathroom door.

Mari doesn’t say a word. She just stares at those roses as if lost in a trance.

Perhaps shopping on her first day home was too much for the omega. Or maybe we should have waited so Izan could show her the bedroom. He’s the only one that's connected with her. His presence would have brought her comfort.

“Is it the smell?” Dassy blurts out, clearly unable to take Mari’s silence any longer. The omega turns to him, her big brown eyes wide with confusion. “We repainted yesterday, but we’ve had big fans going all night long. I was hoping you couldn't smell the paint anymore.”

“Repainted?” Mari tilts her head. “You repainted thewholeroom forme?” She glances around the entire room, taking everything in, ceiling to floor.

“Yeah.” Dassy pushes his hands into his pockets. “Everything was pink, but you said that you didn’t like pink.” He looks down at his feet. “Sorry, we couldn’t redo the carpet too, but we didn’t have anything on hand to replace it with.”

A small smile twitches in the corner of Mari’s pouty lips. “Thank you.” Her voice is soft, obviously touched. It makes my heart swell. “I actually don’t mind the carpet.” She looks down at her wiggling toes, and Everly’s expression shifts to relief. “But pink wallsandpink floors would have been too much.” Mari glances once more at the roses before turning away from them. “Whose room was this?”

Everly’s eyes go wide at the question, and Dassy instinctively looks at me.

“It was just a spare bedroom,” I answer quickly, saving my packmates from having to lie. Everly hates lying and Dassy is shit at it. I’m not sure if I’m actually any good at it either, but no one ever questions me. Maybe it’s because I don’t say much in general.

“Oh.” Mari gives the room one more sweeping look, and the twin lines between her brows grow deeper. “There’s no bed.”

“Oh!” Everly squeals, suddenly filled with vibrant energy. “That’s the best part.” The beta jumps eager to show our omega her new nest. “Over here.” She takes Mari’s hand, leading her to the back of the room. “It’s called an alcove nest.” She stops at a small archway, showing Mari her new private space. “It’s like a room within a room.” The beta chatters nervously. “The floor is recessed, so watch your step getting into it, and the mattress is wall-to-wall so every inch should be very comfortable.” She points up at the golden string lights that circle the small space. “The ceiling is also a little lower so it doesn't feel as exposed. And it goes pretty far back so a few sizable alphas can fit in it.”

Mari’s throat works as she looks into the alcove. Her vibrant peppermint aroma grows warmer, filled with sweet vanilla.“This is amazing,” she whispers before turning to me and Dassy. “Thank you.” Thick emotion makes her voice small, and it makes me smile. “Can I build my nest now?” she asks, looking from Everly to me.

“Of course!” our beta says a little too loudly, making Dassy chuckle at her excitement. “We’ll leave you alone so you can rest.” She grabs Dassy’s hand, dragging the alpha toward the door. “Hutch?” She glances back at me. “Are you coming?”

“No,” I say simply, remembering what Izan asked me to do. Command, control, comfort. Expose Mari to my presence, and condition her to feel soothed by me.

Dassy and I both need to do this, but having both of us touch her right now would probably be too much.

Everly and Dassy close the bedroom door behind them, and I grab the desk chair. It’s small, built for an omega, but the legs are made of steel. It should hold me.

“Actually, I think I’d feel better if I had some privacy,” Mari says, her brown eyes cutting from me to the door.

“I won’t bother you,” I say, carrying the chair toward the alcove.

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