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“Your nest is ridiculous,” Paige mumbles around a plush cushion, which she is rubbing her cheek against like she is addicted to its feel.

Her ass is sinking into the mattress that is spread on the floor, as if it is eating her in the best way.

I grin. “Ain’t it?”

The soft mattress takes up half the floor.

I layered it with goose feather bedding, then further nest specialist quilts and throws. I have banked walls around it of squashy pillows and velvet cushions, along with the packs’ clothing for our mingled scents.

Nothing with buttons or hard seams though, I checked.

I only want softness in this nest.

Nothing that can hurt.

I have used two Victorian chairs as supports to turn it into a true, sheltered nest fort, draping fleece blankets over them.

In the darkness, I can finally relax that I can protect my Omega.

We’re safe from the world at least for now.

“It’s like a giant blanket fort.” Paige drops the cushion back into the pile, playing with the tassels. “I used to make ones with my sis.”

“I did the same for my brother.” I raise my hand to clutch my motorcycle pendant.

The thought of my Omega brother, Josh, hits me hard.

It was so damn hard when I revealed as an Alpha a year after Josh did as an Omega. Immediately that morning, I was dragged kicking and raising hell away from Mom and him.

My hand tightens around the pendant.

The pendants were given to each member of the gang when they presented as Alphas. We were forbidden to take them off.

As a teenager, I couldn’t protect my Omega family. And now, I don’t even know where they are.

It’s what’s best for them, the woman at the shelter made clear with a sneer.

It doesn’t mean, however, that it doesn’t feel like being stabbed in the gut every damn day.

I swore I’d never take off this pendant, so that I’d never forget my past or the family I lost. It is also a reminder that I didn’t become the type of Alpha my pack tried to forge.

I almost lost Paige this heat. But she’s alive now in my nest.

I’ll do damn near anything to protect her, and I’ve learned that Luca will too.

“My forts were a mess.” Paige laughs. “They usually fell down after a couple of minutes on top of Soph’s head. They were never as…”

“Special?”

“I was going to say like something out of a movie. You know, a romcom…? We only need special music playing and candles.”

“You wound me, beautiful. Also, I can still put on some music and grab those romantic candles.”

“Don’t you dare go anywhere, Halo. This comfy nest is perfect because it suits you.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“A damn big one considering I…” When she hesitates, I still.