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CONNOR

Nesting isan instinct passed through generations. Most omegas use their nests as a regulation centerto unwind and center themselves after being around so much stimulation daily. If they aren’t comfortable, or their nest isn’t working, it can throw their entire system into chaos. That goes double for a heat. Without proper satiation and comfortable nesting spaces, an omega’s heat can be agonizing.

When Daphne’s done, the bed is a tangle of sheets, swaths of fabric, and clothes that smell like pack. She found extra pillows and stacked them at the edges for some extra protection. Despite the recess in the middle being smaller than I’d like for all four of us, the nest is perfect. Mostly because of the omega sprawled in the center, fists tight in the sheets, pussy wet and gleaming.

While I’m too busy gaping, Nate takes over. “Can we join you, omega?”

“Please.”

I watch in horror as he jumps on the bed like an eager puppy.

Daphne shrieks, “Don’t mess it up!”

“Sorry, sorry!” He cringes, trying to right the sheets and virtually toppling the side walls completely.

Daph’s nearly in tears when she turns to me, that bottom lip quivering now. “He almost ruined it.”

“He didn’t know,” I coo, slowly getting into the nest. It’s fucking impossible not to knock down the barriers, but I do my best. Might have to reinforce them when she’s sleeping. “We have to teach them what to do.”

There’s a moment of pure rage. I’m talking fire and brimstone,will set your ass alight if you breathe wrongrage as she looks at me. “I don’t like that you’ve done this with another omega.”

Gotta respect the honesty. Part of me—my dick, mostly—likes that she’s so territorial of us. My ex was always mine, but I was never hers.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” I promise.

Daphne’s not convinced, though. Her system’s screaming to lock down three compatible alphas. Ride them and mark them and make them hers. To curb the homicidal rage, I rub my cheek along her shoulders and neck again, letting her slather her scent on me too. Every inch she covers seems to steal the hesitation from my limbs. It’s not like her pheromones are some magic cure, it’s just basic instincts.

She wants me here, so she’s making it really fucking hard to leave and ensuring everyone knows I’m hers at the same time.

While Daphne slathers me in sugar, I tap my incisor at Nate. We stopped by the desk for the first meal service box and teeth caps, which I had the aide glue on for me. The last thing any of us needs is to end up bonded.

You going to be okay?He mouths.

Am I?

Despite our plan, I know there will be times when my brothers won’t be around. I thought I’d freak out, but running my tongue along the blunt silicone lowers my stress.No bonding. Just heat sex.

I can do this.

Nate gets out of the nest far more carefully this time. Daphne’s head jerks, seeking him out, whine incoming. The sheets behind me rustle and I know Dez has climbed out too when she tries to follow, voice pitching too high. “Where are they going?”

“Just getting protection sorted. They’ll be back,” I promise, pinning her beneath me so she can’t follow.

When was the last time I had sex? Ages, I think, and not something I want to remember. Even then, it wasn’t like this. Just looking at Daphne spread beneath my body makes my head spin.

“We don’t need condoms. Make them come back.” She bucks against me, heartbeat frantic. She thinks they’re leaving her and the feral way she fights tells me someone hurt her. Abandoned her so much her hindbrain is shoving its way to the surface to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

My chest tightens at the crystalline tears trapped between her lashes. It’s second nature to lean in and kiss Daph’s cheek, her forehead, her nose before I ghost our mouths together. “No one’s going anywhere, angel. Just focus on me. We’re in this together.”

That first touch of her lips brands me. Sears me down to the bone. Daphne tastes like freshly spun sugar and the desperation of a woman on edge. Her fingers twist through mine, palm to palm. It’s such an innocent touch, but it spears through my body. The fears that drowned me outside seem so fucking inconceivable against her warmth.

Daphne’s hips wriggle when I kiss down her body, stopping at the crease of her thighs and the taste of missed slick. So sweet, so perfect. I’m going to crave it when this is over.

“You taste so fucking good. Did Dez take care of you?”

Daphne blushes, freckles standing out against the glow and I finally give in, swiping my tongue through her pussy because I need to. She runs her hand through my hair, tugging a little when I touch a place she enjoys. “Like when you call me angel.”

“That’s because you are one. Our precious little omega. Our angel.”