Page 47 of Pack Down Bad

Knox places his hand low on my back to guide me toward the stairs. When we reach the stairs, he lets go and walks up ahead of me. I mourn the loss of his touch instantly, wishing the physical contact never, ever had to stop.

Percy and Rhys follow behind us with quiet steps. I can practically feel the nervous energy radiating off of them. Whatever they want to show me seems to be a very big deal to them, and my curiosity is piqued.

We reach the top of the steps and approach a door I vaguely noticed before, across the hall from Knox's bedroom. I never thought to ask what was inside or to sneak a peek for myself.

I've been plenty distracted.

Knox stops directly in front of the door, blocking the entrance, and looks at me. His expression is gentle; I can tell he's trying to be soft for me, comforting.

"This is it," he says, "your nest."

Mine?

I blink, not sure I've heard him correctly. He means the pack's nest.

He must see the confusion on my face because he explains, "This nest was always meant to be yours, Belle. We just hadn't found you yet." He focuses his gaze up at the ceiling as his voice grows more desperate, continuing, "We can change anything. Make this room look however you want, when you're ready. The essentials are here already if you'd like to use the nest for your heat, if you're comfortable with that."

Nests are the most special of places.

You can't just offer one to an omega and then expect them to leave. I've never met any omega that wants anything more than she wants her nest.

Each omega is a little different when it comes to their needs, but for the majority, they like to use blankets and clothing that smells like their pack to fill the room with the perfect scents. They might add comfort items and special lighting. Some need a space that's clean and proper, while others might need as many soft, cuddly items as they can squeeze inside.

A nest is personal.

Sacred.

I've even seen brochures from designers who turn nests into state-of-the-art mini apartments, allowing the pack access to anything they might need without ever having to leave the nest during a heat. Those spaces are a little much for me, but I've spent practically my whole life daydreaming about what a nest of my own might be like.

Cozy. Warm. Filled with love.

My brain is still jumbled from the hurt of being lied to and the complications of remembering my full identity. I try to remember this nest might not end up beingmineonce we start working through their decision to lie and the fact that I have a whole life in town that I would have to abandon to be with them. But curiosity is one hell of a motivator.

"Can I see?" I ask breathlessly, my eyes peering longingly around Knox toward the door.

Knox turns to push the door open for me and then steps out of the way, allowing me to enter as they all hover in the hallway outside.

I take one step inside, vaguely taking in the neutral paint and decor where they didn't want to customize the nest too much without their omega's input. My attention is stolen quickly, though, by the sight of the giant, fluffy bed in the middle of the room.

Unable to help myself, I take off running toward the bed and belly flop onto the mattress. My body bounces as I let out a gleeful shriek of joy at how comfortable the soft bed is. Like a cloud.

This bed is so comfy that I want to die here. Right in this very spot, dead center in the middle of the ridiculously large bed.

Not right thissecond, of course. But maybe they can someday build my coffin around this bed. Or not. Thoughts like this have no place in this nest, I remind myself, stopping myself before I get any more dramatic or melancholy.

I don't even need to see the rest of the nest to know the space is perfect. I just need to keep my face buried against the heavenly cloud they found to call a bed.

"Hey, Belle?" Percy calls out hesitantly to me, "Are you alright?"

Grudgingly, I raise one arm up from my fluffy cloud to give him a thumbs up for reassurance. One of the guys hums a sound of amusement from deep in his throat.

I continue to lie in the same position for several minutes. I never want to move, but eventually I make myself sit up and take in the rest of the room, knowing the alphas have put as much consideration into every detail as they have into their choice of bed.

The room is so beautiful.

Perfect, even.

The space is simple but in a way that feels intentional, as if made with me in mind long before anyone knew I would be the one here.

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