Page 67 of Omega Shattered
"I'm over those," Kade said. "I think lemon chicken might be my new thing."
"Great, get ready to stock his shelf in the fridge with lemon chicken and rice," Archer said teasingly. "At least that means more chow mein and black bean beef for the rest of us."
It was comfortable, sitting in a group like this, laughing and seeing how free the men were now that they weren't fighting and stressed. I'd always avoided alphas and been afraid of them, but maybe, just maybe, a pack wasn't so bad after all.
Chapter 35
To Bond or Not to Bond
Quinn was really starting to settle into our home. She'd been here for a month now, moving between beds each night. She hadn't slept in mine yet, mostly because I crept in when she was sleeping with Archer and curled up on her other side.
Today, her nest was ready. We'd ordered the big round mattress that would fit the sunken space in the nest just right and a heap of blankets and sheets and pillows. And not a moment too soon. She was showing signs of going into heat again already.
I leaned against the doorframe to the nest, watching as the little omega frantically moved pillows from one point to another, scowling and growling at them. Something seemed to be wrong with every piece she placed and it was upsetting her.
"Are we sure she's okay?" I asked for the umpteenth time.
Orion looked at me in annoyance. "The doctor said she might have more heats closer together now that she feels safe. Her late start means she may have more heats closer together until herhormones get sorted," he reminded me. "Just let nature take its course."
"I'm worried. What if she ends up with heatshock again?"
"How could she? We're right here and we'll knot her the second she's ready."
"I can hear you two," Quinn muttered.
"How's the nesting going?"
"Not well. It all smells like the factory and I hate it." She hucked a pillow in my general direction.
I caught the pillow and pulled off my shirt, rubbing it all over my skin and soaking it in my scent. Tossing it back, I asked, "Is that better?"
"Yes!" She looked delighted, throwing all the pillows over to us. "I need all the scents. Where are the others?"
"I'm texting them now," Orion promised, tapping on his phone.
We spent the next hour covering her pillows and cushions in our scents until she felt better about placing them. Finally, exhausted, Quinn threw herself backwards onto the mattress.
"Now I need to eat," she sighed. "But I'm too tired to move."
"We can fix that," Archer assured her, heading downstairs.
"Can we come into your nest?" Orion asked politely.
"Please." She beckoned.
Orion and Kade headed into the nest, dropping down to lay on either side of her.
"I'll help Archer with the food," I said. "Be right back."
Downstairs, I found Archer putting together a tray of snacky foods tha twould be easy to eat in the nest without making a big mess. The last thing we needed was an omega meltdown over crumbs in the nest.
"How are you feeling about the upcoming heat?" Archer asked, pouring almonds into a small bowl.
"I don't know what to feel. Is she even going to want me there?"
"She added your scent to her nest, I'm guessing the answer is yes, but you can always ask."
I pulled drinks out of the fridge and stacked glasses on another tray. "I guess. I know I'm the leader here, but honestly, I feel like I'm running behind the rest of you. I don't even know if she can forgive me for what I did yet."
