Page 34 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

She wiggled, and I groaned, burying my face in her curls. My cock jumped. She sucked in a breath, tensing for a moment before going lax.

“Sorry,” I murmured, willing my dick to behave.

“It’s fine. It happens.”

Cold showers. Baseball. Wet socks.

Oh good.

The sensory nightmare of wet socks seemed to do the trick. I nuzzled into her neck, smiling into the smooth skin there. She giggled, relaxing in my hold. I didn’t usually scent omegas and alphas, but I did with her. Just like I had with Shane and Jason, even before they bonded me.

“Tell me more.”

“More what?” she asked, spinning in my arms to face me.

“More about you. I want to know it all.”

“It’s not that exciting.”

Did she not understand how entirely captivated by her I was? My fingers slid under her chin, tilting her drawn face up.

“Try me.”

I tucked her into my body as she told me about her beta parents, her scholarship, and how she adored writing. She’d wanted nothing more than to be an author but had lost her spark. I hung on every word, enamored by the smallest things. She preferred vanilla to chocolate. Loved baked goods but wasn’t too fond of ice cream.

Except for maple creemees. Those were her favorites. She’d eat them all year long.

The word still made me chuckle. Most people called them soft serve, but not in Maple Falls. They were creemees.

“And I’ve never been a fan of vibrant pinks and purples. It’s weird for a female omega, I know, but I’ve always been drawn to lush greens and blues. It reminds me of nature, it’s calming. Oh, and I don’t mind going out, but I really do love staying home. I like to play games. Story ones. Like the one about the princess and her bodyguard. Oh gosh, I’m rambling.”

She sucked in her bottom lip, gnawing it. The side of my mouth lifted, and I shook my head. Considering how withdrawn she’d been since arriving at our home, seeing her so carefree stole my breath.

It was a vision. She was a vision.

My heart ached. A dull glaze simmered in her eyes, something she failed to hide behind her stoic façade. She’d been doing it all on her own for so long. Something she didn’t have to do anymore. We’d spoil and protect our girl.

She needed what I already had. And I had a feeling that if she could let go and give into what Jason had to offer, it would ease the burden that clouded her pretty features.

“I happen to think you’re cute when you ramble.”

The creases around her eyes crinkled as she crawled further into my lap, looping her arms around my neck.

“Your turn. Tell me about Ty Spruce.”

Something sharp twisted in my gut, slicing like a dull blade. The sound of my last name—the one I’d forgone when we became a pack—made painful memories swim to the surface.

I was a Hawthorne now.

Pack Hawthorne.

At the sight of my grimace, the light faded from her eyes. I hugged her tighter, soothing her as much as myself.

“I grew up in foster care. My parents died from a drug overdose when I was twelve.”

Her lips parted, and I could tell she wanted to say something, but stayed quiet. Fractured memories of my mom and my dad were all I had—none of them good. I remembered crying on the floor while they were passed out, surrounded by used needles.

Gentle fingers stroked my nape.