I gasped as I took in the changed space. Before, I’d been too busy basking in the comfort of my boyfriend to notice what was around me but now I could see that Adam had tried really hard to make our first date special. The room was dark except for the warm glow of candlelight and sparkling white Christmas lights. His bed had been stripped, covered in nothing but a white sheet while the rest of his bedding was arranged on and over the couch and tv like a tent. Inside the tent were several fluffy pillows, more soft blankets, a few dvds, a bowl of popcorn, a bottle of wine and a tray of marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. Next to all the food but on the outside of the tent, was a small table with an electric s’mores maker, a bouquet of pink peonies, a small book and a card.
My alpha had built me a nest and filled it with gifts. It was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me.
“You did all of this for me? It’s beautiful,” I gasped as I slowly stepped towards the blanket canopy.
Adam grinned and settled himself inside my nest. Then he reached out his hand to me. My wolf nearly brought me to my knees, though I refrained, but I did bare my neck.
“Benny? What’s wrong?” Adam asked, sounding concerned.
“You want me to share your nest with you?” I asked hopefully, peaking up at him shyly before baring my neck once more out of respect for my alpha.
“I’m.. not sure what that is baby but I mean, yeah, I did build a pillow fort for you.”
Oh. Not.. not a nest. Not an alpha. My wolf whimpered, feeling rejected for no reason at all. Of course a human wouldn’t know what a nest was. Of course they had another name and use for this space. It shouldn’t upset me. So why did I feel like this?
“Benny come here,” Adam insisted, grabbing my hand to pull me closer.
I gave in a settled into his strong, warm arms, letting myself be soothed despite how sad and confused my wolf and I felt.
“Can you explain to me what a nest is baby? And why you seem so sad about this not being one?”
“When an omega goes into pre heat, they like to use pillows and blankets and soft items of their mates clothing to make a nest,” I began, as if I were reading a health and wellness pamphlet. “It makes them feel soothed, knowing the scent of their mate is close along with the soft comforts against their feverish skin. An alpha going into an omega’s nest is significant. It usually means they’re mates or that they will be soon. It’s the alpha’s job to maintain the nest and provide for all his omega’s needs during their heat.”
“I see,” Adam answered contemplatively as he hugged me a little closer. “So.. who’s scent do you use for your heats?” He asked innocently.
“No one’s,” I replied with a bitter laugh. “I’ve only ever shared a nest with another omega and that’s just.. not the same. We sleep and cuddle during preheat but during the actual heat we are on our own; unless you have a mate or are being publicly courted. I’m always on my own. I’ve been on my own for years. Alpha’s actively avoid me during my heats.”
“Aww baby,” Adam sighed as he pressed a gentle kiss to my hair. “I’m sorry my set up upset you and I don’t know if this will be offensive but.. I mean, I don’t see why this can’t be our own type of nest. I built it for you. I don’t care what you call it.”
“It’s not really about what’s it’s called. It’s about what it means,” I tried to explain, melting over how sweet Adam was being, despite not quite understanding.
“Can it only be an official nest if your alpha’s scent is apart of it?” He asked softly, sounding a bit off.
“No, like I said, I’ve made them with other omegas before but an alpha being involved makes it better.” I paused for a moment as I gathered the courage to speak my next words. “Adam… my wolf is convinced that you’re an alpha. He won’t listen to me and that messes with my mind. He’s.. very sensitive to rejection. It’s why I keep fucking up and why I’m being such a big crybaby about everything. I forget you’re human sometimes and I try to blend our worlds together when I know I shouldn’t,” I finally admitted. “So.. you wanting to nest with me, with or without my heat, is a big deal to me. More than I can even explain. That’s why, it’s okay that this is a fort. I’m sorry if I seemed upset. I was being childish. That type of commitment-”
I stopped speaking when I felt Adam move and my jaw dropped when I felt him remove his shirt. He tucked it next to a pillow close to my nose, then he pulled me into his lap, pressing my back against his chest. One arm wrapped around my stomach and the other cupping my cock and balls.
“If I was an alpha, I’d nest with you,” he whispered into my ear, sending a delicious shiver down my spine but I couldn’t believe him.
“No you wouldn’t. You don’t understand what you’re saying. There’s no way you can be that serious about me. This is our first date. You just want to fuck me,” I objected sourly though I stayed put in his arms.
“Oh Benny,” he chuckled as he hugged me closer, “I could tell you to sit on my cock right now and you would. I don’t need to manipulate you into it.”
“Adam, stop. This isn’t funny,” I protested, feeling vulnerable and embarrassed over trying to explain about nesting.
“Baby I’m not making fun of you. I’m being serious. I hate knowing that you can’t do things with an alpha like you want and I’ll happily step in if I can.”
“We don’t even know how long this relationship will last,” I protested, unable to believe that a human could be here for the long haul. “And I’m not allowed to be with you. I can’t let you play the part of an alpha and then have you leave me. Don’t you know how much that would crush me?”
Adam stopped touching me. “If you already think we’re going to break up, why are you even here?” He asked, sounding upset and his scent changed, smelling faintly of scorched earth. Then he pulled away and created a tiny bit of space between us, “Is this because you thought I wouldn’t be your dominant anymore if you didn’t say yes? I know I tried to end things but I wasn’t trying to-oh Ben…. Do you think I’m forcing you to be into a romantic relationship with me? Did you agree to a date because you thought it was the only way to keep your scenes going? ” He asked gruffly, sounding hurt.
“No! I don’t feel forced by you. That never even crossed my mind.” I protested as I turned to face him and grabbed his hands tight in mine. “I’m just scared, okay? I.. I’ve been trying to come to terms with the fact that I will probably live in my parents house forever and die alone. I’ve given up on trying to find an alpha mate so I have to be okay with that reality. I’m here because I really like you but you’re a human. You can’t bond to me so I can’t expect you to stay with me forever. I don’t even know how I could ever be with you outside of our secret dates. I can’t live with you, I can’t marry you. I can’t even be seen by my pack with you. They would disown me if they found out and then where would I be? I’m trying to be realistic and it scares the shit out of me.”
“If your pack rejects you, I’ll take care of you,” Adam replied, without taking a moment to think. “And I’m not going to let you die alone. I don’t know how much more serious I can be babe.”