Page 16 of Let It Snow (Eden’s Omegaverse #7)

The shop is lined with aquariums and terrariums. You can buy lizards, chameleons, turtles, or even a snake, but none of that interests me as much as the fish.

I wander slowly from one tank to another, marveling at the bright colors.

What surprises me most is that I know the names of every species.

Does that mean I used to be into aquariums more deeply?

At the end of an aisle, I spot a small tank sold as a complete starter set. Inside swims a single fish, but it’s stunning. A large betta with a massive veil tail, golden with pale violet streaks and silver undertones. I love it instantly.

When Lake stops beside me and tilts his head, I point at the aquarium with the tip of my finger.

"You’d like to buy it?" he asks.

I nod.

"Of course. Perfect. Aquariums are such a beautiful, calming hobby. When I was a kid, I had a turtle, but its death hit me hard, and I never wanted another pet after that. But I can see this fish has really caught your attention. Let’s talk to the clerk."

Lake approaches the stout man behind the counter, who watches us from under thick brows.

"We’d like to buy this tank. Can it be sold as is?"

"Yes, but all the components are priced separately," the man says, handing us a slip. "Here’s a list of everything required for it to function properly."

I nod quickly, letting him know I’m ready to pay for everything.

He smiles and says, "Of course, but the fish can’t be transported in the tank. The water has to be drained."

I nod again.

He gets to work efficiently, first transferring the betta into a plastic bag, then draining the water, and finally packing the tank into large styrofoam boxes stacked in the corner.

The whole process takes about twenty minutes. Then we pay, and I’m handed the little bag with the fish.

We have to grab a second cart for the aquarium. Pushing two is awkward. Lake guides his with one hand while steering mine with the other, and I push with one hand while holding the fish in the other.

Eventually we make it to the parking lot. We load everything into the trunk, but I keep the bag with the fish on my lap while Lake secures the tank with a seatbelt in the backseat.

He doesn’t seem at all bothered by the extra shopping. He stays cheerful the entire time, surrounded by an aura of calm optimism.

When we pull up to the house, the same two figures are standing on the porch, watching the car. One is Aiden, the other is Snow… of course. I wonder if they’ve been waiting there the whole time.

Aiden takes off the moment Lake jumps out of the car, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him close, their mouths colliding in a kiss so full of passion it stops me in my tracks.

For a second I just stare. There’s something mesmerizing about it, almost as if I can feel that passion vibrating in the air between them. After nearly forty years together, it’s still that strong, kept alive by the magic of being True Mates.

A sting of jealousy runs through me…

I want that too!

Having my True Mate!

I pull my eyes away from the kissing pair, glancing instead at Snow, who stands against the wall of the house. He doesn’t come over, just watches us from a distance.

Only when we start unloading everything does he finally come down the steps. Without a word, he joins us, taking bags from our hands. His brows lift slightly when he notices the aquarium.

Lake offers to help me with the aquarium, but Snow gives the smallest shake of his head. It strikes me that he and his dad understand each other in ways that don’t require much talking, as if there’s some subtle bond between them on a level beyond words, a kind of silent telepathy.

Snow helps me carry the aquarium upstairs.

This time, I decide not to use my powers. The glass walls are far too thin to survive even a light impact with the wall, and I don’t trust myself to control my magic well enough.

So, getting it safely to the second floor isn’t easy, especially since the staircase up to my little room is narrow, but we manage.

He helps me set it down on the floor for now, then leaves and comes back a few minutes later carrying a small cabinet.

It fits perfectly under the tank, its drawers ready for all the things I’ll need to keep it clean and feed the fish.

Having Snow in my room feels a little strange, especially since he doesn’t say a word.

Instead, he slowly shifts his gaze to my bed and fixes it on the nest, and my cheeks flush as if he’s inspecting my naked body. This is that level of intimacy: staring at an omega’s nest. After all, it’s my sanctuary, my intimate temple.

The alpha’s eyes roam along its edges, and I tremble as if he were touching me physically.

Suddenly, he freezes.

Oh, fuck!

The hoodie!

It’s visible from this side.

My heart races violently, my breath catching in my chest.

Snow openly stares at the spot in the nest where I wove in his stolen clothing.

Then unexpectedly…

He emits a low, vibrating sound! I’ve never heard it live before, but my genetic code carries its meaning. It’s a rarely used mating call, roughly expressing approval that he has energetically become part of my nest, acknowledging and accepting my very obvious invitation to join him inside it.

An alpha being invited into the nest by an omega weaving in his clothes, has always been a clear sexual signal.

It’s similar to how buying nesting materials shows an alpha’s interest. The weaving of the alpha’s clothing into the nest expresses the omega’s interest, including sexual and serious relationship intent.

Wow. Intense stuff!

The funny thing is, I did it without thinking. It was just instinct.

And then… we’re saved from the awkward moment.

I hear Lake’s footsteps on the stairs; he’s carrying some of the things we bought.

Snow’s and my tense, energetic, half-sexual exchange is interrupted.

Lake stops in the doorway, seeming to sense the buzz in the air, and quickly puts the items away in the closet.

"There are just a few last things left," Lake says, with an amused grimace.

Snow turns his head away from my nest and darts a glance at me through eyes that are slightly narrowed, as if studying me.

But I'm already rushing toward the stairs.

We go out one last time for the rest of the stuff.

Nobody makes any further comment on the nest-hoodie situation.

I take the final grocery bag from the trunk while Snow turns for a moment to look at his dad, who is pulling flyers from under the windshield wipers.

What now? I have to somehow smoothly wiggle out of this situation. What if he thinks I invited him and knocks on my door tonight to take up my… invitation? The thought is both exciting and terrifying.

Or maybe he’ll show some understanding? Take my memory problems into account? I hope so!

As he cleans the car of flyers, I glance at him.

And… stare. He’s wearing a fitted black long-sleeve that rides up a little when he leans across the hood to grab another flyer from the back of the car.

I catch the shape of his abs and the sharp V that disappears into his light blue jeans, and of course, his tattoos flash across my vision too.

Why the hell do I even look there? It’s so close to his crotch…

Suddenly, he turns and catches me staring. Heat shoots up into my cheeks, and I squeeze the bag under my arm, heading quickly toward the house, trying to overcome the awkwardness when Lake calls after me,

"Summer, you coming down for dinner?"

I only shake my head slightly, too full of emotions to speak.

Over the last two days, I’ve sent so many too-obvious signals to Snow it’s really beyond my own comprehension. How must this look in his eyes? I’m making AO mating sounds, luring him with the nest, weaving his hoodie into it, staring at his crotch.

Mercy! Dammit!

Something strange is going on with me, and I need some distraction.

So, back in the room, I busy myself filling the aquarium with the water I brought from the store.

I set it on the cabinet Snow carried in, sliding it closer so it sits near the bed.

I hook up the aeration and the lighting, then watch for a moment.

Somehow, I already know the water shouldn’t be changed too abruptly; even the smallest difference in its makeup can harm the fish or damage the plants.

At last I let the fish into the tank. It finds its bearings immediately, recognizing its home.

For a long time I watch it glide along the glass, golden fins trailing behind like silk ribbons.

The sight makes me smile softly. It brings a strange calm, though only on the surface, because underneath I am still churning with unrest.

My behavior lately has been erratic and rather inappropriate. I need to come up with a plan, a way to control my madness, something methodical, calm, taking two steps back. Yes, definitely.

I go back to unpacking, putting my clothes in the closet and my toiletries in the bathroom.

Finally, everything’s done.

I lie flat on my back, head tilted to the side, staring at the aquarium. Watching the fish is hypnotic, and it sends my emotions drifting in strange directions. I close my eyes and try to steady them.

To do that, I push some of my energy inward, trying to smooth out my nervousness, flatten it out even, but as I do, it has a strange effect. My mind clears a little; the foggy veil grows thinner, less confusing…

And…

Then an unexpected memory breaks through.

A flashback starts.

No!

…

I’m at my parents’ house.

I see myself sitting by an aquarium, a much bigger one. I know it’s mine. So that’s where my fascination with fish began. My eyes fix on a huge tank full of colorful bettas and shimmering veiltails.

Suddenly I hear pounding on the door, my father’s footsteps on the stairs, and his curse as he goes to answer it. More footsteps follow, voices tight and angry.

"This is Anzo Ferro. What the hell is this about?" he snarls.