Page 11 of Brave New Omega, Part 2

Chapter 11

KATIE

L oren drives us to Old Fourth Ward. Max insists that I ride up front, so I take the opportunity to really look at everything as we pass. Now that I have eyes to appreciate what is here, instead of constantly scanning for ways out, I notice that the architecture is a kind of mishmash of neo-classical columns, functional red and brown brick, and something akin to Art Deco.

There's sleek modern skyscrapers with glass and steel too, but that's the exception to the skyline. And scattered throughout the city are large reflective boards—solar panels, maybe? I'm not sure, but we speed past them too fast for me to ask.

We start at the bakery, Max insisting that any shopping trip needs snacks. I get a dainty-looking chocolate and raspberry confection, and Max gets a piece of chocolate and peanut butter cake, while Loren chooses a thick slice of cherry pie. We add a box of buttery croissants to take home to share with Callum. At the thought of the missing Alpha, my chest tightens. He'd been so cold, so stern with me.

And yet…

I remember his words when he came after me.

Wherever you go, Katie Wilder, I will chase you. Across the city, or across the stars. The universe brought you between worlds to be my Omega, and I will be damned before I ever let you go.

I want him to be here. To want to be here. To want to be around me. But it all feels hard and bitter, instead of the sweetness that I feel with Max and Loren.

I shove that tangled knot of feelings away and focus instead on the shop that Loren pulls me into while Max puts our pastries in the car. Best Dressed Nest is a home furnishing shop, though the lighting is low, and gauzy drapes and plush pillows fill the space.

"Welcome! Is there anything specific I can get for you?" An older woman with an elegant updo and soft linen dress asks as we enter. Her hair is the kind of gray that looks classic instead of old. She smiles warmly, her eyes flitting between us.

I look up at Loren. He squeezes my hand reassuringly before answering.

"My Omega is building a nest," he says, and the woman lights up. "It's her—well, it's our first heat. So, we need more materials."

"Oh my, what a special occasion!" She claps and saunters over. "Well, let's begin— do you have a preference for lighting? We have fully remote controlled dimmable lighting in a range of colors." She motions to a small nook filled with lamps and string lights.

"Are you looking for bedding? We have several options available, from plush blankets and fluffy comforters, to heated blankets over here, and cooling blankets on that wall." She motions again, and I stumble, trying to follow her hand. I suck in my cheeks, trying to distract myself from the sensation of drowning.

"Of course, all of our waterproof layering material is here," she points to a discreet display in the back. "We also carry the highest quality scent canceling detergents and fabric sprays. For after ." She offers me a knowing smile.

I nod, glancing around all the displays, then toward the exit. My mission objective was to obtain nesting materials, and clearly this is the right place. But I don't actually know what a nest is. Whatever I imagined, this was definitely not it.

Loren interrupts my floundering. "Thank you. We will have a look around and let her pick out a few things now, and place a larger order later." He wraps a gentle arm over my shoulder. The woman practically glows.

"Of course, Mr. …?"

"Professor Bellrose, of Pack Murphy," Loren answers swiftly. The woman's eyebrows shoot up, looking from Loren down to me and back again.

"I didn't realize either of Alfonze's sons found their Omega," she said. "Well, Professor Bellrose, if there's anything we can get you, please don't hesitate to ask. We can custom dye or cut any of our blankets and nesting fabrics, or order in something direct."

Loren tenses as she mentions Alfonze, his posture rigid. I press my hand to his chest without thinking, my body leaning into his until his shoulders relax.

"So have you bought up the whole store?" Max bursts into the quiet shop, a jarring invasion of sound and movement in the hush of the small storefront. Without pausing to look at the clerk, or to assess the awkward tension of the conversation, Max snakes an arm around my waist, and kisses me wetly on the mouth.

"What did I miss?" His smile is broad and completely unconcerned with being seen in public.

"Nothing, Katie was just beginning to pick out a few things," Loren says, steering us away from the clerk. "Thank you," he says over his shoulder, as we maneuver to the back of the shop. The clerk mumbles, but doesn't follow us, and I let out a slow breath, glad to be out of her hovering presence.

I untangle myself from Max's embrace and run my fingers over a length of silky fabric. "And here I thought Max was the famous one, but Loren, you've been holding out of me." I say it lightly, but my curiosity is simmering beneath my question.

Loren shuffles his feet, but doesn't answer.

"Lor?" I ask as the silence stretches.

He shakes his head. "My family are… well known. Sometimes I forget that I'm not just Professor Bellrose. That I still belong to them, at least in name."

"Nah, man. You're Pack Murphy now. Everyone knows it. She probably just wants an in with one of the Alphas," Max says, nudging his packmate. "Besides, your family throws the best parties. She likely just wants to get a good word put in for the next one."

Loren rolls his eyes, but his shoulders slowly relax. I let myself lean into him for another moment. It’s weird and wonderful, this kind of public intimacy. It’s not like he’s taking my clothes off, but the casual way we touch, it feels so raw and open.

God, I am touch-starved. How many of my relationships on base had to stay under wraps? How often did I have to push down my need for closeness to get the work done?

A creeping need to flee, to untangle myself from these men, begins to overwhelm me. It’s too much–too much kindness, too much goodness, too much lo–no. I blink rapidly, pulling away and forcing myself to stare at the materials on display.

“Do you like the warm and fuzzy blankets? Or are you a silky smooth kind of girl?” Max asks, unaware of how close I am to a meltdown.

I shrug, running my fingers over the fabric.

“I don’t know. I told you, I don’t know how to make a nest. We don’t have them on Earth.” I barely whisper the last words.

“My mother had a whole room,” Loren says thoughtfully. “It was sunken; you had to step down onto a mattress that covered the floor. She had several silk hanging that she could pull down low to create almost like a small den. They diffuse the light, which was fun as a kid because it was like running through a rainbow.”

He smiles at me, but there’s a tiny glimmer of sadness reflected in his eyes.

“We only have that guest room. We’re not doing a good job of providing, are we?” He sighs.

“You didn’t know I was coming,” I say, squeezing his elbow. “And I don’t know what to ask for. Colored silk sounds nice. Maybe more pillows. And maybe putting the bed on the floor would work.”

I try to smile encouragingly. But, fuck, I am as far out of my depth as they are.

“Let’s get a little of everything, and then Katie can decide what she likes.” Max gestures to the display. “You don’t know what you like, so try them all. And we can get another mattress to give us more space.”

“That’s a lot of expense,” I say, suddenly worried about budget lines and spreadsheets. Do they have a budget for an Omega? I’ve never thought to look at their finances, but of course I never thought I’d seriously be staying here and living as an Omega.

“I really don’t need a lot. We can use the bed we have–”

“Nonsense,” Max cuts in, and I see Loren grin at me. “We might not be Pack Bellrose, but we can buy this whole damn store if we wanted. You saw the gym, Katie. We’re not hurting. And every pack with an ounce of sense starts an Omega fund the minute they form.”

“But,” I start, and Max pulls me into his arms.

“You’re thinking too much.” He presses his lips to mine, kissing me until I open for him, letting my body soften in his hold.

“Anything you need–anything you want–I will get it for you. Some things might take time, like buying you a private island, but what is the purpose of all that I have if it isn’t to make sure you and our Pack are happy and secure?”

These are dangerous words. Because they are dangerously close to tipping me from deeply in lust to deeply in love.

Fuck.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice hoarse with feelings I’m not ready to name out loud. “I do know how to work and provide though.”

“I don’t doubt it. But that means spoiling you is more fun!” Max says, kissing the tip of my nose. “So, one of everything to see what you like, and another mattress. Mission accomplished.” Max kisses the top of my head. Loren grabs my hand and kisses my fingers. Suddenly, I’m hungry for them. Hungry to feel their fingers and lips and tongues all over my body.

A wave of perfume rolls off me and Loren growls low in his throat.

“I think adventure time is over.”

We turn to tell the clerk our order, when the door breezes open and a tall, willowy woman with honey-colored hair enters. She’s on the phone and doesn’t see us immediately.

“I know, Rafe. I’m making sure the order will be delivered to the new packhouse. Father is insisting I leave my nest set up there in case I change my mind.” She sighs.

Loren freezes, and I grab hold of his arm.

This isn’t Genevieve –no she’s a solid foot taller than the tiny woman who upset Max the last time I was in Old Fourth Ward. This woman is tall, lean, and dressed in a chic black dress with a bold yellow cut-out.

“Celeste,” Loren breathes. She turns immediately, lowering the phone. Her eyes are blue–a startlingly familiar blue.

“Loren!” she arches her eyebrows in shock. “What are you doing here ?”

She looks over him to Max, then to me. Her gaze lingers, not judging or assessing, but warm. Almost hopeful.

Loren clears his throat. “Celeste, this is Katie–our Omega.”

Celeste gasps.

“Katie,” he says, tightening his grasp on my hand, “this is Celeste–my baby sister.”