Page 17 of Salt and Knot

“For your nest,” I add, when she doesn’t reply.

“Oh god I’m so sorry.” She puts her hand to her face, and spins on her heel.

I’m by her side in a second, sheet discarded. We’re beyond false modesty. She’s seen all of me, and I’ve seen all of her. And this nesting omega side, I adore.

I pull her into my arms, and purr. “It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“I just woke up with this urge, and I didn’t even think,” she babbles. “I’ll put it all back, I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to.” I stroke her hair, dragging my finger through it so the sensation is enough to calm her. “It’s okay. It’s a lovely nest.”

“I shouldn’t have touched your things,” she says, voice tiny. An apologetic whisper.

“You should, what’s mine is yours,” I purr, and she relaxes a bit. My mate will understand, sooner or later. She can have my possessions, and my heart, I’ll get her a credit card to buy whatever she needs. I’ll get her new, soft blankets to make a prettier, more comfortable nest. Ensure she knows she can take anything.

“I won’t do it again.” She swallows. “Or I’ll try not to. I really don’t remember starting. Or, rather, it was so fuzzy. I couldn’t control it. Just like yesterday, when I…”

“When you presented for me, like a good girl. This is the same. You made a pretty little nest that looks out at the sea, in the sunshine. The bed wasn’t in the sun, and you couldn’t see the sea as much as you wanted. It wasn’t where you needed to be knotted this morning, so you nested.”

“Yes,” she whispers. “That’s it. I was desperate to open the curtains.” She shifts to look out of the French windows that lead to a balcony. “I don’t know why that was so important.”

I do.

I keep quiet on that point. No need to scare her when she’s still in the grip of her heat. She’s the fated mate of a kraken. Of course she needs to see the ocean. It’s part of her.

“I understand.” I nod, and continue purring, trying to get a contented chirp in response from her.

“You’re really not upset?” She peeks up at me from under her lashes.

“Why would I be?” I smile, but we both know her worry is justified.

“Alphas get angry about their stuff being messed with,” she squeezes out.

I put her away from me far enough that I can grasp her chin and make her meet my eyes. “No. They’re abusive, insecure children. An alpha who is worth the name knows that an omega can’t help their nesting instincts any more than an alpha can prevent being possessive and protective.”

“You really don’t mind?”

“More, my little omega.” I tug her with me. “I’ll show you what an alpha does when they’re lucky enough that their omega makes a nest.”

“Oh?” The noise is cautious.

We’re in front of the nest now, and I clasp my hand to the back of her neck, the silk of her hair falling over my fingers. I look down into her face. “I’m going to fuck you and knot you in this nest.”

“But it’s not finished!” she protests.

“It’s enough for now,” I say firmly, combing my fingers into her hair and tilting her head back. Allowing her omega to feel that I have her, and there’s nothing to fear. “You can continue it later. And besides, you need a break from ransacking my possessions, and if you take my knot, I’ll be able to carry you downstairs and feed you breakfast before you waste away.”

She gives a whine.

I push her gently down into the centre of the nest. “Present for me, show me that pretty little pussy I’m going to ruin with orgasms and my knot.”

She obeys immediately, getting onto hands and knees and spreading her legs.

I groan as I see the slick covering her inner thighs. “That’s it. So wet for me, aren’t you? Ready for me to claim.”

Her eyes flutter closed. “Why are you so good to me?”

Because you’re my mate. That’s the truth, but also not fair. “It’s a privilege that you trust me to help you through your heat, Isla. I’m honoured.”