Page 17 of Nesting With My Three Alphas
Before I could change my mind, I powered my phone back on and dialed his number.
"Reed Thornton," his voice answered after two rings, warm and professional.
"Hi, it's Kit. Kit Lennox. From the bakery earlier." I twisted a lock of hair around my finger, a nervous habit from childhood. "I was wondering if that offer to look at my locks was still open?"
"Absolutely." No surprise in his voice, no judgment. Just immediate, reassuring competence. "I can be over in about an hour if that works for you?"
"That would be perfect. Thank you."
"No problem. Kit?" His voice softened slightly. "You doing okay? You seemed pretty rattled earlier."
The simple question, asked without prying or demands for explanation, made my throat tight. "I'm fine. Just... being practical."
"Good. Practical's smart." I could hear the approval in his voice. "See you soon."
After he hung up, I found myself standing in my kitchen, staring at the muffins and feeling something I hadn't experienced in months. Not quite safety, but the possibility of it. The knowledge that help was coming, offered freely and without strings attached.
My phone buzzed with a text from Jonah:Charlie's demanding a family dinner tonight to "cheer up Kit." You're officially invited if you're up for it. Fair warning, she's planning to share every dinosaur fact she knows.
Despite everything, I found myself smiling. Charlie's earnest concern, her matter-of-fact declaration that I was family now, had been hitting me in waves all afternoon. When was the last time someone had wanted to take care of me just because they cared?
I'd love to come, I typed back.What can I bring?
Just yourself. Micah's handling dessert, I've got dinner covered. 6 PM?
Perfect. Thank you.
The response came quickly:Kit? Whatever's got you spooked, you don't have to handle it alone anymore.
I stared at the message for a long moment, feeling that dangerous warmth spread through my chest again. These people barely knew me, had no reason to care about my problems, and yet they kept offering exactly what I needed most, unconditional support.
Marcus's voice echoed in my head, that familiar criticism about how needy I was, how my omega instincts were embarrassing and clingy. But maybe the problem hadn't been my needs. Maybe the problem had been trusting someone who saw those needs as weaknesses to exploit rather than vulnerabilities to protect.
The knock at my door came exactly an hour later. Reed stood on my porch with a toolbox and a reassuring smile, looking every inch the competent alpha who could handle whatever problems life threw at him.
"So," he said, stepping inside and immediately beginning what looked like a professional assessment of my space. "What's got you worried about security?"
I could have deflected, made up some story about general caution or city girl paranoia. Instead, I found myself telling him about the phone calls, the way I'd been looking over my shoulder, the black sedan that had felt like a threat even if I couldn't prove it.
Reed listened without interruption, his expression growing more serious as I talked. When I finished, he nodded once, sharp and decisive.
"We'll get you sorted," he said simply. "Better locks, security system, maybe some exterior lighting. Nothing too obvious, but enough to make anyone thinking about bothering you reconsider their choices."
"I can't afford..."
"Kit." His voice was gentle but firm. "Let me worry about the cost. You can pay me back in whatever way works for you, when it works for you. Right now, let's just focus on making sure you feel safe in your own home."
The kindness in his offer, the way he presented it as simple problem-solving rather than charity, made my eyes burn with unexpected tears. This was what alphas were supposed to do. Protect without controlling, help without taking over.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Don't thank me yet," Reed said with a grin that was all confidence and competence. "Wait until you see how fancy I can make your security system."
He worked with quiet efficiency, explaining what he was doing as he upgraded my locks and installed motion sensors connected to the exterior lights. His presence filled the space with calm alpha energy, the kind that made my omega instincts settle and relax despite everything I'd been through.
"There," he said finally, showing me how the new system worked. "Motion activated lights, deadbolts that would take serious effort to break, and I’ve ordered some cameras that feed to an app on your phone. They’ll be here in a couple of days, but they're fairly simple to put up. It should only take me an hour or so. Anyone comes sniffing around, you'll know about it."
"This is incredible," I said, testing the new locks and marveling at how solid they felt. "Thank you. Really."
