Page 49 of Broken Dreams

I’ve never met a more unassuming person in all of my life. She’s unsmiling, her eyes curious and friendly. A lot of people would say that she has a resting bitch face, but not everyone needs to smile all of the time. The fact that she came over to introduce herself to me at all speaks volumes.

“Linus,” I reply, holding out my hand to shake.

Adira’s lips twitch for a moment before she shakes my hand.

“Meet our scent match,” Callum says, proudly claiming me as Duncan walks further into the house to lay Makayla down. “Quinn and Linus are both ours.”

“Then we’re hopefully meant to be good friends,” Adira says. It feels as if she’s manifesting into the universe, and I get goosebumps that slowly rise on my skin. “I’m very curious about everything, but I really am taking my men and leaving. I did a little decorating while I was here.”

“Oh, did you?” Callum asks as Adira takes her hand back. “Do tell, Adira.”

There’s a playful banter as they talk, and he doesn’t sound in the least bit upset about whatever it is that she may have done.

“There’s a room upstairs that’s meant to be a nest. It’s been there for show, Linus,” she says in an effort to pull me into the conversation. “I refreshed it, changed the sheets, and then aired it all out so it’s as if I was never in there. The detergent is a light scent, I bought new candles for the room, and tons of fluffy blankets. Online delivery is wonderful.”

I blink in shock that this girl would do anything so sweet for Quinn, and by acquaintance, me. There’s heat behind my eyes, and fuck, I think I may cry. No one has ever done anything this nice for me, especially not a stranger.

“Wow,” I whisper, trying to wrangle my ping ponging emotions.

“If you used your card, I’ll dump money into your account,” Callum says, looking a little awestruck himself. “You know you’re a gem, right? That’s the one room we haven’t touched. We didn't know if we should or not.”

“It’s a start. And don’t you worry about what card I used,” Adira insists. “I’ve woken up in this house confused and terrified before, and I can honestly say if there’s anything I can possibly do to help, I will. Those are not empty words, Linus, okay? If you hate everything I bought, order new things. It won’t hurt my feelings in the least.”

There are so many things she’s not saying, history she’s lived in these walls. And yet, everyone seems to think it’s also the safest place to be. That somehow speaks volumes to me.

“Why wouldn’t it?” I ask, still feeling as if an angel just walked into my life. It’s ridiculous that I thought I’d be jealous over her.

“A nest has to be perfect,” she says. “It’ll claw at you until it is. Whether it’s stealing the guys’ clothes to get it where you want or changing all of the colors, only you’ll know when it’s perfect.”

I’ve never had a nest outside of a closet when I was feeling anxious in college. I presented later than other omegas at twenty, and didn’t have a heat until after I’d been sold. I’ve never had a normal heat. It’s not something I’ve allowed myself to think about until just now.

I know Makayla hasn’t either. Fuck, we may have questions later about this. I don’t know if it’ll be appropriate to ask Adira. I feel so at sea right now when this is second nature to older omegas. Adira appears to be in her early twenties, but moves confidently in the world, as if she expects things to go her way.

What an absolute privilege. One that it sounds as if she’s fought for. There’s nothing spoiled about this girl.

“This is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for us,” I rasp, swallowing hard. Fuck, I really don’t want to cry. It feels so silly.

“I know what that feels like,” she says gently. “I really do.”

“I expect Quinn will be waking up soon,” Jed says gently, walking over to place his hand on Adira’s waist.

“Her unconsciousness is due to her passing out instead of sleeping,” Duncan says quietly for Adira’s sake, leaning against the wall next to Callum as he gazes toward the living room.

I can see Makayla laying on a couch from here, her body limp. I’m itching to go over and hold her, my muscles bunching up to do exactly that.

“We’re leaving,” Adira says with a sharp nod. “I cleaned up after myself, and aired out any areas I was in. You’d never know I was even here!”

My attention is drawn to the omega who is trying damn hard not to make Makayla or I uncomfortable with someone else’s scent in the house. A girl who has already done more than most people would.

I can see why Duncan and Callum took her so firmly under their wing. There’s a strength inside of her, though I can see a few shadows moving in her eyes as well. This girl has seen some shit and come out the other side.

“Call us if you need anything,” Morris grunts as he opens the door.

Damon and Jed incline their heads at us as they leave in that way alphas have that somehow doesn’t look silly. Kane unconsciously rubs his baby doll’s back, waiting for Adira to follow.

“See,” she murmurs to him as she rises onto her toes to kiss the baby’s head. “You’ve got this dad thing down.”

Kane preens as he grins at her, his other hand on her back as they walk out. It’s clear to see that their pieces seem to fit together well.

---