Page 86 of Lavender and Honey

With hands that tremble only slightly, I begin to undress. The sweater I wore all day still carries traces of my lavender scent, stronger now without the blockers to hide it. I fold it carefully, then remove my jeans and socks, placing them in a neat pile. Standing in just my underwear, I feel strangely vulnerable despite being alone in the room.

I unfold the clothing Lucian gave me—a soft, oversized t-shirt with the logo of a band I vaguely recognize, and a pair of flannel shorts with a drawstring waist. They look well-worn and comfortable, perfect for sleeping. I lift the shirt to my nose without thinking, inhaling deeply.

The scent that fills my lungs is complex—a blend of all four of them, though one predominates. Lucian. His amber notes stronger than the others, suggesting these are his clothes I'm borrowing. The thought sends a small thrill through me, intimate in a way I hadn't anticipated. I pull the shirt over my head, letting the soft fabric settle against my skin like a gentle embrace. It's far too large, hanging to mid-thigh, the sleeves reaching my elbows. The shorts are similarly oversized, but the drawstring allows me to secure them at my waist. I look like a child playing dress-up in adult clothing, but there's something oddly comforting about being enveloped in fabric that smells of them.

After using one of the spare toothbrushes Finn mentioned and washing my face, I gather my folded clothes and step back into the hallway. The house is quiet now, the sounds of conversation muted. I make my way back toward where I left Lucian, but the hallway is empty. A door stands ajar further down, warm light spilling out onto the hardwood floor. I approach cautiously, uncertain of the protocols in a home that isn't mine.

"Lydia?" Elias's voice calls softly from within the room. "In here."

I push the door open wider, revealing a spacious bedroom dominated by large windows and a king-sized bed. But it's not the conventional furniture that catches my attention—it's the elaborate nest built into the corner of the room. Piled high with blankets, pillows, and what look like clothing items, it creates a cozy alcove that seems separate from the rest of the space, a sanctuary within a sanctuary.

This wasn’t just a nest, this was a personal pack nest. Something even more precious. Elias sits cross-legged inside it, already changed into soft-looking pajama pants and a worn t-shirt. His hair is slightly tousled, as if he's run his fingersthrough it, and the sight of him so casual, so at ease, makes something warm unfurl in my chest.

"Hey," he says, his voice pitched low and soothing. "Feel better?"

I nod, hovering uncertainly at the edge of the room. Despite our previous time in his nest, this feels different—more deliberate, more meaningful. "Where are the others?"

"Still cleaning up downstairs. They'll be up soon." He pats the space beside him in the nest. "Come get comfortable. No pressure to sleep yet if you're not tired."

I take a hesitant step forward, then another. The nest seems to beckon me, its soft fabrics and inviting warmth calling to something primal and instinctual within me. When I reach the edge, I set my folded clothes on a nearby chair, then pause, unsure of the proper etiquette for entering another Omega's nest.

Elias extends his hand, palm up, an invitation rather than a demand. "May I help you in?"

The formal request, acknowledging the sanctity of this space, touches me deeply. I place my hand in his, our palms pressing together in a moment of connection that feels almost ceremonial. "Yes," I whisper. "Please."

His fingers wrap around mine, warm and secure, and he gently guides me over the raised edge of the nest. I sink into the soft bedding, immediately enveloped in the comforting scent of pack and home and Elias. It's even better than I remembered from our afternoon nap—the blankets seem fluffier, the pillows more perfectly arranged, the entire space designed for maximum comfort and security.

"I added a few things," Elias says, a hint of shyness in his voice. "After you agreed to stay."

I notice now that there are more pillows than before, arranged in a subtle semicircle that creates a natural space for bodies tocurl together. The blankets are layered in a way that allows for easy adjustment if we get too warm or cold. Every detail has been considered with thoughtful care.

"It's perfect," I tell him, and am rewarded with a smile that seems to light him from within.He helps me settle into the nest, arranging pillows behind my back and a soft blanket across my legs. We end up sitting side by side, shoulders touching, our backs supported by the cushioned wall of the nest. The position is comfortable but still gives me plenty of personal space, a consideration I appreciate.

"Is this okay?" he asks, his hazel eyes searching mine for any sign of discomfort.

I nod, surprised by how rapidly my earlier anxiety is fading, replaced by a drowsy contentment. "Very okay."

"Good." His smile widens, relief evident in the relaxing of his shoulders. "I wanted to ask... would it be alright if the others joined us? In the nest?"

The question catches me slightly off guard, though I should have expected it. This is a pack nest, after all, not just Elias's personal space. The thought of all four of them surrounding me, their scents and bodies creating a cocoon of safety, sends a complicated flutter through my stomach—part nervousness, part longing.

"All of them?" I clarify, wanting to be sure I understand.

Elias nods. "Only if you're comfortable with it. They'll understand if you prefer just the two of us." I consider the question seriously, trying to imagine how I would feel surrounded by these four men whom I've come to trust in ways I never expected. The Lydia of a month ago would have balked at the suggestion, retreated behind her carefully constructed walls. But the Lydia of tonight, who chose to stay, who wears Lucian's shirt and sits in Elias's nest with her unblocked scent mingling freely with his...

"Yes," I say, the word surprisingly easy on my tongue. "I'd like that."

Elias's face brightens, his scent spiking with happiness. "Really?"

I nod, more certain now. "Really. It's their home too. And I... I feel safe with all of you." The admission costs me something, a small piece of the armor I've worn for so long. But the look on Elias's face makes it worth the price.

"I'll let them know," he says, pulling his phone from a pocket in the nest wall I hadn't noticed before. He sends a quick text, then settles back beside me, his shoulder warm against mine. We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the only sound is our quiet breathing and the occasional rustle of fabric as one of us shifts position. Despite the significance of the moment—or perhaps because of it—I feel strangely at peace, as if some part of me has been waiting for this very scenario without my conscious knowledge.

A soft knock at the door breaks the silence, and Lucian appears in the doorway. He's changed into loose sleep pants and a faded t-shirt, his usually perfectly styled hair slightly messy. The sight of him so casual, so human, makes something flip in my chest.

"May we join you?" he asks, his deep voice carrying a formality that acknowledges the importance of the request.

Elias looks to me, waiting for my confirmation even though I've already agreed. I nod, appreciating the way they continue to check, to make sure I'm comfortable at each step.

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