Page 11 of When She Needs Them Most
I barely hold back the urge to touch her belly when I notice the pajama top moving.
It is quite an unbelievable sight. I haven’t spent much time around pregnant women. Almost none, actually, but Chelsea is an unbonded scent match. If she had bonds, it would be easier to ignore my attraction to her scent. It’s not just that. It’s the pull alphas feel to protect and comfort omegas.
I shake my head, taking a step back. “Come on. Sky, you can show Chelsea the way.”
Sky stands, shaking out her coat. Her ears perk up, because she heard her name, and she comes over, her excitement evident. She enjoys having a job. Well, she especially loves tracking down runners, but she’s intelligent enough to understand that anyone in our home is an invited guest and should be treated as such.
Arden sucks in a sharp breath when Sky not-so-gently headbutts Chelsea’s belly. She sniffs around and nuzzles her blocky head to Chelsea’s pajama top.
“Aww, you’re desperate for scratches, aren’t you?” Chelsea coos, giving Sky a good scratch behind the ears.
“Let’s show you the room.” I step over, placing my hand on her lower back as I lead her toward the guest room. “We technically have two extra bedrooms, but one is upstairs by us. Then there’s the hassle of all those stairs, and I figured you’d be more comfortable down here. It’s also closer to the kitchen, in case you get hungry or need a drink.” I grab her quilt out of the coat closet and snatch up the small bag Kase carried over. We also have the primary suite with a nest that none of us took, but even mentioning that would be weird.
“Thank you.” She smiles brightly. “I would have managed, but I appreciate how much thought you put into everything.” Her face contorts into a grimace, and she clutches at her stomach.
I cross the room back to her side in two quick strides. “Are you okay?”
She laughs. “Yeah, sorry to be dramatic. Sometimes, it feels like she’s punching my organs. Others, I think maybe she stretches against a nerve or something? The shooting pains are the worst.”
“Damn, I can’t even imagine how uncomfortable it must be. Your body is housing a new human being.” I nod toward the hallway. “It’s this way.”
“It’s taking some getting used to. That’s for sure.” She laughs, the sound light and airy as her face breaks into a bright smile. Shit, she even has perfect teeth. “I’m excited but nervous. It’s hard because sometimes I want to call my mom and ask if something is normal or even just hear her voice, but she’s been gone for a little over three years.”
“That’s rough. Did you grow up in a pack? Are your dads still around?”
“Nope, it was just me and my mom.” Her head shakes. “She was an alpha, and she never bonded.”
I dislike the sound of that. It’s hard to imagine an omega not growing up in a pack. No brothers or sisters? That’s rare when alphas and omegas are involved.
Not that my childhood was any better, but I know how unusual my circumstances are.
“That must have been hard.” I frown, shaking my head.
That didn’t help anything. I am trying here. I just suck at connecting with other human beings.
“It was fine. My mom was a great mom. She was a firefighter. She died on duty, but she went out doing what she loved.” Chelsea shrugs. “It still hurts, but I’m proud of all she accomplished. She really was a hero.”
I don’t know what to say to that, but luckily, we reach the guest room.
I gesture to the door across the hall. “There’s no attached bathroom down here, which is the only downside. It is fully stocked, though. Towels are under the sink. The shower is loaded with products.” Sky bumps her head into the door of the bedroom, and it flies against the wall. Chelsea follows the pushy mutt inside the guest room. “I was going to warn you about that. She’s a trained personal protection companion. Basically, she thinks it’s her job to pace the house all night, checking in on everyone. If the door is closed all the way, you’ll hear her bumping her head against it randomly throughout the night. She’s just trying to get in to check on you. On occasion, she has been known to open the door handles. So, please don’t be afraid. Just lock it, and you’ll be fine.” I laugh awkwardly. “She hasn’t figured out how to use a keyyet.”
“Aww, that’s okay.” Chelsea squats a little to scratch Sky’s neck. Her thick ass pops out, and I avert my eyes, heading over to drop her blanket and bag on the bed. “It’s kind of nice to have that added level of safety. I bet you’re vicious in protection of your humans.”
She has no idea, but I keep that to myself.
I clap, trying to think if I’ve forgotten anything. “The alarm will be set, so if you need to leave, just let one of us know. I’m up by six every morning to take Sky for her jog. Kase and Arden will be around too.”
“Okay, great. Thank you so much.” She heads over to the bed, and Sky jumps up like she’s got an open invitation.
“Down.” I point to the floor. “Not everyone wants to be covered in a never-ending layer of your fur.”
Chelsea laughs, staring at Sky’s pouty face. “She looks so heartbroken.”
“She’ll get over it. She’s spoiled rotten.” I nod toward the door. “I’m going to get out of your hair. If you need anything, I’m the second door on the right once you hit the top of the stairs.”
“Thank you again.”
“It’s nothing. Seriously, the room is here, and nobody was using it. What time is the delivery truck arriving?”
