Page 206 of Wisteria and Cloves
"What did you expect?" Lydia asked gently, her brush pausing mid-stroke.
I was quiet for a moment, thinking about the clinical discussions my mother had subjected me to about heat cycles—how they were inconvenient, messy, something to be managed rather than embraced. "I expected it to be something I had to endure. A biological necessity that would be... uncomfortable."
"And now?" Lydia asked, her blue eyes connected to my own.
"Now, I'm actually looking forward to it," I admitted, my voice soft. "I had one heat before, but I don’t remember much of it.”
"Being with alphas who care about your experience makes all the difference," Lydia said, nodding sagely. "A heat can be beautiful when you're with mates who prioritize your comfort and pleasure."
I added another stroke to my painting, considering her words. "They've been so patient. Even with the bonds in place, they're still giving me space to adjust, to find my footing."
"That's what real love looks like," Lydia said, rinsing her brush. "Not possession, but partnership."
My phone buzzed with an incoming message. I glanced down to see Julian's name on the screen, along with a photo of a newly delivered package of nesting materials. The message below simply read:"Too much?"
I laughed, showing Lydia the picture of what appeared to be enough blankets and pillows to build a small fortress.
"Oh my," Lydia breathed, putting a hand to her mouth before she burst out laughing.
"At this rate, I'll need a separate room just for nesting supplies," I giggled, typing a quick response to Julian with several heart emojis. "He's been ordering something new every day this week."
Lydia leaned over to examine the photo more closely. "Those are the premium Omega Comfort pillows from Nestwell. Those aren't cheap." She whistled appreciatively. "Your alphas are sparing no expense."
"I know," I said, setting my phone down with a fond smile. "Miles keeps saying they've waited years for this, so they want everything to be perfect."
"You deserve to be spoiled," Lydia said, her expression softening. “They're right to want it to be perfect. It’s their way of showing their love.”
I nodded, feeling a flutter of anticipation mixed with nervousness. "I know and I do appreciate that they are trying to make me comfortable.” I smiled with the warmth of love and the feeling of being cherished washed over me once again. “ It's sweet and I love them for it.”
Lydia opened her mouth to say something when the sound of the bell over the door made noise. We both looked over and I couldn’t help but smile at seeing Nicolaus with Elias and Lucian. Nicolaus's eyes found mine immediately, his lips curving into that subtle smile reserved only for me.
"Nicolaus," I said, setting down my paintbrush and rising to greet him. "I wasn't expecting you until later."
He crossed the room with his usual measured stride, leaning down to press a kiss to my forehead. "The meeting finished early. The others are still at the house finalizing some details." His eyes moved to my canvas, his analytical gaze assessing my amateur attempt.
"It's not very good," I said with a self-deprecating laugh.
"It's expressive," he countered, his lips quivering into that slight smile that always made my heart flutter. "I can see your personality in it." Elias and Lucian both went to Lydia's side before they greeted me.
"I keep telling her that," Lydia said with a laugh. "Art isn't about technical perfection."
I gathered my supplies, carefully rinsing my brushes before setting them in the drying rack. "Same time next week?"
"Absolutely," Lydia confirmed, accepting a gentle kiss from Elias. "Unless your heat arrives early, of course."
"In which case, we'll see you in about two weeks," Lucian added with a knowing grin.
I felt heat rise to my cheeks as Nicolaus's hand settled possessively at the small of my back as he led me out of the store and into his car. The marks on my neck tingled pleasantly at his touch, the bond between us humming with contentment.
"The others are eager to see you," Nicolaus murmured, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "Julian's been pacing since noon."
"He's worried about the preparations, isn't he?" I finished, settling into the passenger seat as Nicolaus started the engine.
"Among other things," Nicolaus replied, his blue eyes flitting to mine before he he pulled away from the curb. "Your scent has been... shifting. Subtly, but we've all noticed."
I felt a flutter of nervousness mixed with anticipation. "Is that normal?"
"Completely," he assured me, his hand finding mine and squeezing gently. "Your body is preparing. Dr. Chen said it could happen gradually over the next week or two."
