The only reason we were able to get him out of the house to finish his nest was because Emmett is distracting him with sex and a fall beach day.
I grab a few of the ready meals as Shyla’s hand tightens around mine. “Ouch, Shy. What?” I ask, standing up straight.
My face pales. Does this bitch just troll the grocery store in hopes of terrorizing me? Meera stands alone, no Vernice in sight.
“Keep moving,” Shyla says to her.
“I just wanted to say.” Meera looks between Shyla and myself pleading with us.
“No, I said get the fuck out of here.” Shyla’s tone is no nonsense. A few of the people shopping are stopping to look at the back of cereal boxes so they can watch the drama unfold.
Meera goes to open her mouth. Shyla stations me behind her as she approaches Meera. “I don’t care if you got help, or if you’re working on yourself. I hope you did, for your sake and anyone who enters your life. But I won’t hear it. I told you we were done, and I meant it. Kelsey is my priority and not having you in my life is a part of that. I hope you are working on yourself. But no, absolutely fucking not.”
My eyes are wide. In my own way, I have forgiven Meera, but I really don’t care to hear anything she has to say. I believed Shyla when she said that Meera wouldn’t be a part of her life. But I guess I never really considered how she would feel if Meera ‘got better’. To me, there will always be a Meera shaped indent that wouldn’t allow me to ever be around her. But to hear that Shyla feels the same way is heartwarming.
“She doesn’t look bonded,” is what the stupid fucking woman says. She’s still fully capable of putting her foot in her mouth. Even if she is working on her control and issues, you can’t do a complete personality rehab.
I watch as Shyla breathes in and out. Her fists clenching and releasing. “You have two seconds to get the fuck away from us,” she growls at Meera.
I think that she’s about to open her mouth and dig a deeper hole, but she doesn’t. Meera gives me an apologetic look but says nothing. I hope Shyla’s right that she is working on herself, but that’s really not any of our business.
Shyla takes a deep breath before turning around. Her gaze is now soft as she rubs up and down my arms. “You okay? Do you want to leave? What do you need?”
I smile at her. “I already have everything I need.” I squeeze her cheeks and bring her lips to mine. To think a few months ago I was huddled in a bathroom stall in tears. This time all I feel is comfort. While I think a part of me will feel guilty that Shyla doesn’t have a relationship with her sister, she’s put it in simple terms for me. That she could never surround herself with that, and would never keep a relationship with someone who hurt me, and she would never want our future children to be around a person like that.
“Let’s get everything else we need and get the fuck out of here,” she says, her grip on my hand tighter than before. I want to make a joke about maybe getting me a leash, but she might like that too much. I just smile to myself as we continue shopping. Knowing that I’m going to bond with her tonight, that no one will ever be able to question our loyalty to each other ever again.
As soon as we get home, Dom is walking out the door to help us with the groceries. “Good trip?” he asks. Shyla huffs and walks past him.
“What did I do now?” he asks me, rolling his eyes.
“Nothing, Meera was there.”
“She was what?” he barks. Putting the grocery bags back in the truck. “Are you okay? Did she touch you?” He looks over at me like I might have a visible bruise.
I shake him off slightly. “It was fine. She seemed like she wanted to talk about how she’s working on herself. Shyla didn’t want to hear it. Told her to fuck off.”
His eyes roam my face. Probably worried I’m about to lock myself in the closest bathroom and lose my shit. “You’re sure?”
I give him a smile. “Nothing could ruin this day for me. Plus, it felt empowering. I didn’t cower away. I wasn’t scared. I knew Shyla wouldn’t let anything happen.”
He nods in complete agreement. Though they might argue sometimes, they both have complete faith in each other to protect the pack.
I go to grab a bag and he smacks my hand away as if the thought of me carrying three pounds is absolutely unacceptable. “Go get ready. I’ll take care of this.”
I give him a wide smile, tugging on his shirt so he leans down and I can give him a wet kiss on the cheek. As he’s leaned over, I can whisper in his ear. “Good Alphas get whatever they want tonight.” He growls and I giggle as I run away. He attempts a swat at my ass and I laugh even harder as I run into the house.
Cameron’s nest isn’t my style, I like darker colors, but it’s so him and it’s his heat. Lord save us if we sync heats and have to decide between the two nests. Now that Cameron’s is done, Dom is going to work on mine. I turn on all the electric candles, the wave machine is on. Everything looks perfect. He’s on board with bonding, but doesn’t know we set everything up for tonight.
I wouldn’t be surprised if bonding throws him into his heat early. I can’t wait. He took such good care of me during mine, it’s time to return the favor. The idea of Cameron begging for what he wants during his heat definitely does something to me.
While I haven’t broached the subject yet, you know, like our therapists say, one thing at a time. I’m hoping that after we bond that maybe my next heat we can start trying for a baby. I groan at myself.
Some things will never change. I might over romanticize, but right now I’m getting everything I wanted. I smile to myself as I stock the fridge in the hall between our nests with drinks and light snacks. Since we’re home, it’s easy to order food, or for one of the pack to make dinner.
I’m giddy with excitement. I can nearly sit still as I make sure everything is perfect. I take one last longing glance at Cameron’s nest. As soon as I hear the front door shut, I run up the stairs.
Emmett and Cameron are all over each other. Both with beautiful smiles.