Page 156 of Knot Like Other Girls

"I've got just the thing," Liam calls from the doorway before disappearing down the hallway. He returns moments later with what appears to be a large, circular tasseled cushion large enough to sleep on. It's covered in plush charcoal gray fabric with white geometric designs.

"Where did you get that?" I ask, surprised. I thought I knew every item in our cabin.

Liam's tattooed arms flex as he carefully places the cushion in the center of Bella's developing nest. "Got this on one of our jobs in Morocco. Been keeping it for a rainy day."

Bella's eyes widen as she runs her hands over the piece. "It's perfect," she breathes, pressing down to test its firmness. "It smells so good."

"It's stuffed with lavender, chamomile, and some rare spice I'm not even gonna try to pronounce," Liam says, grinning at her approval. "Handmade by omega herbalists."

"You've been keeping this hidden all this time?" Troy asks incredulously.

Liam's shoulders lift in a casual shrug. "Was waiting for the right omega to need it."

The implication hangs in the air, unspoken but clear. He's been saving this for years, hoping to one day have an omega to offer it to. Bella's soft smile makes it clear she gets it.

"Thank you, Liam," she says, already incorporating the cushion into her nest. She hums as she arranges softer fabricsaround it in a spiral pattern as if the addition of this central piece has solidified her vision for the entire structure.

"I'm going to need something to hold these layers in place," she mutters, trying to secure a particularly slippery section of satin.

"Perhaps these might help," I say, reaching into one of the shopping bags from Soft Spot. I pull out a package of specialized clips designed for nest construction—another recommendation from Beth and Maggie.

"Perfect," Bella says, accepting them gratefully.

Cole, who has been silently observing from a few feet away, suddenly straightens. "Be right back," he mutters before disappearing down the hall.

I exchange a curious glance with Roman, who merely raises an eyebrow. Cole's behavior has been increasingly unpredictable since Bella entered our lives—though largely in positive ways. The biggest is his acceptance of physical contact.

It's a transformation none of us expected.

"Here," Troy says, breaking into my thoughts as he hands Bella a spray bottle. "Beth said this helps with scent integration. It's supposed to make alpha scents last longer in the fabrics."

"Thank you," Bella says, immediately rubbing the navy throw all over the cushion and then spraying the cushion. The effect is immediately noticeable, Troy's smoky fireworks scent strengthening as if he'd spent hours wrapped in the throw just this morning.

Cole returns, carrying a small wooden box. It's beautifully crafted from what looks like walnut, with subtle inlays of lighter wood forming a pattern on the lid that resembles a serpent among roses.

"For your comfort items," he explains, handing it to Bella. "To keep them safe. During your heat. If you want."

Bella accepts the box with a bright smile, running her fingers over the scale and petal patterns on the polished surface. "Did you make this too?"

Cole nods once, his eye fixed on her. "A while back. Sorry, it's… a snake. Probably not good for the nest. You could pretend it's a dragon, though."

"I love it," Bella says like he's insane for even doubting she would. "It's perfect, Cole. Thank you."

He gives her a stiff but genuine lopsided smile.

Bella opens the intricately carved box Cole gave her, her fingers tracing the serpentine pattern with obvious appreciation. She places her wooden duck inside first, nestling it carefully in a bundle of velvet as though arranging a precious jewel.

"I'd like to add something too," I say, reaching into my pocket. I've been waiting for the right moment. "It's not handmade, but I thought you might appreciate it."

I present her with a small silk pouch, midnight blue with silver embroidery. Bella takes it curiously, loosening the drawstring to reveal a delicate glass vial filled with amber liquid.

"It's a custom scent," I explain as she examines it. "Created by a perfumer in Paris who specializes in omega comfort blends. Notes of saffron, bergamot, and vanilla—designed to complement the caramel notes in your natural scent."

Her eyes widen. "When did you get this?"

"I called in a favor while we were still in Los Angeles," I reply. "Had it expressed to the post office in Sweetwater. I slipped away to collect it while we were at Soft Spot."

"You sneaky bastard," Troy says admiringly from across the room. "So that's where you disappeared to."

---