Page 59 of Nesting With My Three Alphas
Chapter 19
Micah
The morning light filtering through the kitchen windows felt different somehow. It was charged with anticipation and the kind of nervous energy that comes before life-changing events. I'd been up since four, unable to sleep through the subtle but unmistakable changes in Kit's scent that had been building all night. Her heat was close.Veryclose.
Charlie sat at the kitchen table, systematically working her way through a stack of pancakes while chattering excitedly about her upcoming adventure with Aunt Emma. Her bag was packed and waiting by the door, stuffed with dinosaur books, art supplies, and enough clothing for a week-long expedition rather than a four-day visit.
"And Aunt Emma said we might go to the planetarium if the weather's bad," Charlie was saying, fork gesturing enthusiastically. "Did you know that some stars are actually dying when they look the brightest?"
"I did not know that," I said, refilling her orange juice glass. "That's very philosophical for seven in the morning."
"Everything's philosophical if you think about it hard enough," Charlie said seriously. "Like how Kit moving in wasn't just moving. It was the stars aligning to complete our pack."
Sometimes the things that came out of this kid's mouth made me wonder if she was actually an ancient soul in a seven-year-old body.
"Speaking of Kit," I said, glancing toward the stairs, "how is she this morning?"
Charlie's nose twitched slightly, her enhanced scent sensitivity kicking in. "She smells different. Warmer. Like flowers before a storm." She paused, considering. "But good different. Happy different."
Flowers before a storm. That was actually a remarkably accurate description of pre-heat scent changes. Charlie had always been unusually perceptive about pack dynamics.
"Where are Dad and Reed?" Charlie asked, apparently noticing the absence of the other two-thirds of our alpha contingent.
"Your dad's loading the last of Reed's stuff from his apartment," I said, starting a fresh pot of coffee that would be strong enough to fuel whatever the day brought. "And Reed's doing the final security check around the property."
What I didn't mention was that both men were also giving Kit space to wake up naturally, without the overwhelming presence of three anxious alphas hovering over her during what was likely the last calm morning before her heat hit.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs made both Charlie and me look up. Kit appeared in the doorway wearing one of Jonah's old flannel shirts over leggings, her hair mussed from sleep and her scent carrying those telltale warm, honeyed notes that made my alpha instincts hum with awareness.
She was so close.
"Good morning," she said softly, her voice carrying the slight huskiness that often preceded heat. "Something smells incredible."
"Pancakes," Charlie announced proudly. "Micah made them shaped like dinosaurs because it's my last breakfast before my adventure."
Kit's smile was warm but tinged with an emotion I couldn't quite read. "That's very thoughtful. How are you feeling about your trip?"
"Excited! But also a little..." Charlie paused, apparently searching for the right word. "Protective? Like I want to make sure everything's going to be okay here while I'm gone."
Protective. This kid continued to amaze me with her emotional intelligence.
"Everything's going to be perfectly fine," Kit said, settling into the chair beside Charlie and accepting the cup of coffee I slid across the table. "We're just going to have a quiet few days while you have your adventure."
"Promise you'll take good care of each other?" Charlie asked, looking between Kit and me with the seriousness of someone entrusted with important family business.
"I promise," Kit said solemnly. "And you promise to have so much fun that you come back with a million stories to tell?"
"Deal."
The easy interaction between them made my chest warm. Kit had slipped into the maternal role so naturally, so completely, that it was hard to remember a time when she hadn't been part of our family dynamic.
The front door opened, bringing with it the scent of morning air and the sound of Jonah's voice calling out, "Emma's here early!"
Charlie immediately bounced up from her chair, pancakes forgotten in the excitement of departure. "She's here! She's here!"
The next few minutes were a whirlwind of last-minute reminders, extra hugs, and Charlie's detailed instructions about proper care for her various stuffed animals in her absence. Emma, Jonah's sister-in-law, was a patient woman who clearly adored her niece and was genuinely excited about their planned adventures.
"You sure you have everything?" Jonah asked for the third time, checking Charlie's backpack with the thoroughness of a man who'd learned that forgotten items could derail entire expeditions.
