Page 29 of Where There’s Smoke (Fire House Omegas #2)

Melody

E verything was different.

There was no denying that I was completely, one hundred percent an omega.

I’d gone through a heat . With three hot firefighters who made me feel so cherished and desirable.

Even Elliot.

Part of me wanted to dance around the fire station, singing with glee.

The other part was confused, scared, and a little queasy.

What did this mean for my life? That question had constantly been running through my head for over a week, and after the heat, it felt even more pressing.

I’d had one life before the fire and now this separate one after it.

All my routines and usual comings and goings had changed.

I couldn’t go back to what I’d been before. It was physically impossible.

“I’m so sorry about this,” Elliot muttered as he dried off after his shower.

“Don’t be,” I said, shaking my head. “You need to be back at work. You already took several days off while I was in heat.”

“I know, but we wanted to be here to help you after,” Samson said, running his hand through my hair.

I hummed at his touch. “I’ll just be napping and snacking, honestly I’ll be fine.”

And maybe spiraling, but I wasn’t going to mention that part.

Samson kissed the top of my head, his scent clinging to me in the best way, and I wanted to melt into him. He looked down at me, swiping his thumb across my cheek. “Stay in the nest, okay?”

“If you do leave… maybe shower first.” Elliot smirked.

“Or don’t!” Fitz cackled from the bathroom. “I happen to like you smelling like us!”

Elliot glowered in the direction of his overenthusiastic pack mate. “She can’t hang around other guys stinking of sex,” he growled, but instead of being intimidated, it made me shiver excitedly.

Clearly, the heat had turned my brain upside down.

Samson laughed as Fitz stuck his head around the door. His blond hair was sticking up in all directions. “No! Actually, firecracker, I think a shower is an excellent idea. Hygiene is king, after all!”

Snorting, I snuggled deeper into Samson.

I had always assumed that post-heat would be an awkward time, but I was simply basking in their presence. Though I was sad they were leaving, I couldn't realistically demand more of their time after the last few days. They had lives to get back to.

“We need to take our girl nest shopping,” Samson said, his words slightly muddled by the fact his face was pressed into my hair.

“Nest shopping?” I asked, looking between the alphas as a wave of gratitude and embarrassment hit me. “Why would I need that?”

Elliot ignored my words, nodding absentmindedly as he folded one of his T-shirts. “That isn’t a bad idea. I need to check when we're going to be off shift, but how about we go nest shopping together?”

“But I have a nest!” I declared, clutching at the blankets around me like I was terrified he was going to rip them away.

Next to me, Samson chuckled and gently pried my hands away from the blankets. “Never fear, little omega. We're not taking your nest away. We simply want to help you make it even better .”

“You should see these stores. The kinds of nests they make are insane. This, while beautiful and you did an amazing job, is so simple compared to some of the things you can do with the nest,” Fitz explained as he came out of the bathroom.

I pouted. My nest was perfect; it had all their scents in it.

Then again…I wouldn’t say no to a few more throw pillows.

The urge to nest was a new one to me, and confusing. I was irrationally attached to the nest I had, and if the guys said anything negative about it, I was sure I was going to break down and have a good cry…maybe get a little violent.

On the other hand, now I was thinking about new, pretty, fluffy blankets. Squishy throw pillows. Soft curtains. Dimmer lamps. Diffusers and those things that could hold your Kindle or book for you. Chair pillows for reading and watching TV. Down pillows for sleeping.

Deep down, the thought of going hog wild and making a nest with all those pretties? It was titillating.

Sighing, I snuggled deeper into Samson and let my mind wander. I really needed to learn more about being an omega. Maybe while the guys were gone, I could give Sunny a call, as she was the only omega I knew. She’d been incredibly helpful before. I was sure she would be doubly so now.

There wasn’t even an omega in my family I could call.

My family members were all betas, and even if that wasn’t the case, the last thing I wanted to deal with was the judgment that would come from my parents.

Nothing I had ever done was good enough for them.

And I knew my brothers would jump right on that bandwagon.

Hell, they’d probably all deny it, say I was making it up.

“Okay, I think I like that idea. But it’ll have to wait until you all are back. Which, you know, I’m not saying hurry or anything, but maybe let me know when you are on your way back?”

Elliot chuckled, shaking his head with this smirk that had my insides twisting. “We can do that. Just get your rest, recuperate. Heats put a lot of strain on an omega’s body. You’ll need to treat it nicely. Pamper it.”

“I’m pretty sure we could treat it nicely,” Fitz added, and I laughed, even as said body warmed at the thought.

“We certainly can, and I’ll be sure to text you.” Samson kissed the top of my head, and I reluctantly let him up now that it was his turn to shower.

All of us chatted until all the guys were ready and had to leave.

I still didn’t like it, which felt ridiculous.

They had to work. Hell, I needed to work on finding a new shelter and checking on the animals.

Responsibilities didn’t disappear because I’d gone through a heat and wanted the pack around all the time. Which, again, was so weird.

I got kisses on the head from each of them, Fitz pairing his with a titty grab, and then they were off.

I was left alone in my nest, and I snuggled deeper into it, anchoring myself with the scents still clinging to the fabric.

It was a substitute, for sure, but at least I had their smells to keep me company.

Still, it was hard to deny how sad I was because they had to leave. I’d never felt like this before. Sure, it was the omega thing, but it was also the fact that I’d never dated long-term, never made a connection with someone—or someones—and wanted them around all the time.

God, you’re really an omega. And you’re dating a pack? Seriously?

What was my life going to be now that I had fully presented as an omega? Should I be dating this soon? Was that reckless or unheard of? Did I even want to?

But the idea of cutting ties with the pack or keeping things strictly platonic made my stomach revolt, churning against the emptiness.

I still hadn’t eaten, but I couldn’t blame the nausea solely on that.

It was the thought of being without Samson, Fitz, and Elliot.

I was so connected to them now. They were… mine. Weren’t they?

God, is dating the first pack to see me through woefully naive? Am I nuts?

I rolled over onto my back, staring up at the ceiling.

I was in that tricky spot between being exhausted and needing to eat.

Which one was I supposed to honor first?

Grumbling to myself, I begrudgingly got out of the nest, pulling on one of Elliot’s shirts and a pair of leggings.

I hurried to the kitchen, but nothing sounded good.

Nine thirty-five. I’ll need to feed Dotty .

Grabbing some of the formula and a jar of peanut butter with a spoon, I hurried back, finding Dotty already on her way to get me.

“Yup, I’ve got it right here, cutie.”

I mixed up the formula and fed Dotty in my lap as I munched on a few spoonfuls of peanut butter.

Protein, sugar, fat. It’d last me until after I fell asleep, which was happening as soon as this little girl was full, because damn, I could barely keep my eyes open.

Elliot had been right about the heat taking a lot out of me.

Dotty finished up, and I brought her with me to the nest so that we could both get some rest. The comforting aroma of the guys still clung to everything, especially Elliot’s shirt all around me. With something in my stomach now, it helped me to relax, my eyes naturally closing.

I’d get this nap in and then go from there. For a few hours, at least, I was going to reside in sleepy town. The rest of the world could wait, and hopefully, it would make the time until my boys got home go quicker.