Page 85 of Follow Your Instincts

“Okay, not what I asked,” Letitia said gently, with a small smile. “Let’s try again. Tell me about yourself, Maggie. Where are you from? What do you fill your time with?”

“And this is supposed to help me pick out pillows?” I asked.

Letitia laughed. “I tend to find that Omegas lose themselves in their pack as they’re approaching their heat, so this is my reminder that you ARE your own person, even within the pack structure. It’s why I always send the Alphas away.”

Unexpected tears sprang into my eyes. I had felt so much like I’d lost myself since presenting as an Omega. “Stupid hormones,” I said.

“Yeah, they’re a bitch,” she said, handing me a tissue, completely unfazed. “My sister and mom are both Omegas, so I’m very familiar with the pre-heat mood swings.”

“Thanks,” I said. “And I’m a cop, you know, when I’m not crying in front of strangers.”

“Really?” she asked. “I’ve never heard of an Omega police officer before. You’re kind of a badass, then.”

I decided not to run through the whole sordid story. “Yeah,it’s never really been a thing before. I’m hoping to get back to work and become a detective when I’m bonded.”

“That’s awesome. So what else do you do?”

“I love running, working out, and reading,” I said. “I’m a native of the city, too.”

“Oh hell yeah, another native Fairviewer? We’re rare these days,” Letitia said.

We kept chatting, and she subtly brought the conversation around to my favorite colors, what kind of design I liked. After about 15 minutes, she stood up and beckoned me forward. “Now the fun part begins.”

With her help, I picked out pillows and bedding for the nest in shades of dark grey and cool greens. I touched a million blankets and pillowcases, looking for the right fabric that didn’t make my skin itch. We finally decided on cool, silky gray sheets that matched the existing fabric on the nest ceiling, sage green down pillows, and a gorgeous forest green duvet.

Next up was a section devoted to pajamas and robes. Letitia encouraged me to get some comfy pajamas for when my heat was just about to start, as well as a robe for easy transitions from the bath to the nest. She was so matter of fact, I could almost forget that these transitions would be happening in the middle of a days-long orgy.

There was another section, clearly of lingerie and high-end sex toys, but Leitita steered me clear of that. Clearly, she could tell that would put me over the edge of anxiety.

“Your pack said they want you to come back after the heat to pick out some new furniture and bedding for your suite, but they didn’t want to overwhelm you today,” she said finally and started leading me back to the front of the store. Even though it had only taken a little over an hour, I felt like a wrung-out sponge from making so many decisions in such a short time.

The guys were waiting in a little sitting area near the front door. They all hopped up as we approached.

“Our delivery truck will be at your house within an hour,” Letitia said, consulting her watch. “Maggie, it was a genuinepleasure to meet you,” she said, turning to me. “Are you a hugger?”

“Yes,” I said, hugging her. “It was great to meet you, too. Thank you for everything.”

“Thank you,” Lachlan said, stepping up to shake her hand and discuss the bill.

Ben yanked me gently out of earshot and into a hug. “Stop being nosy,” he said, and kissed me until he had my full attention. He slid his hands down my waist to my hips and pulled them flush to his. I felt his cock stirring against my thigh and whimpered into his mouth. “I missed you,” he said between kisses.

“Clearly,” I said, smiling despite my embarrassment. At least there were no other customers to see us groping each other.

“Don’t be greedy,” Soren said before stealing me into his embrace and kissing me thoroughly. I was lightheaded with the pleasure of being back with them, even if the time on my own had been a good thing, too.

“Friendly reminder that your private session will end in a few minutes,” Letitia called as Lahclan rejoined us.

“Let’s get you home,” Lucas said, interlacing his fingers with mine.

Everyone carried boxes and bags up the stairs to the nest and helped unload the linens, pillows, and sleepwear.

Lachlan and Soren helped put on the fitted sheet for the giant, floor-sized mattress, but when they started trying to put on pillowcases, I stopped them.

“Can you just… I can do this,” I said, snatching the pillows out of their hands.

Soren looked bemused, but Lachlan smiled knowingly, which just made me grouchier. Lucas and Ben exchanged brief looks from the doorway to the sunken room.

“Sorry,” I said, not sounding very apologetic. “I just really, really need to make sure the pillows are perfect.”

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