Page 38 of Shattered Trinket

“Cozette’s gonna let us court her,” Zeke says excitedly at my back, and I can practically see the giant grin on his face.

Ridge doesn’t react, his face blank and giving absolutely nothing away, and I start to fidget under his gaze.

“Um, but y-you don’t have to if you don’t w-want to,” I tell him, unsure and incredibly self-conscious with him.

I haven’t spoken to Manny and Zeke a ton either, but the little interaction with them today told me so much about them and gave me insight into the type of people they are just a little. Enough for me to want to spend time with them so I can get to know them better.

So I can give this being an omega thing a real shot…

Ridge is suddenly right in front of me, so close I can smell him. Spiced gingerbread, a warm and cozy scent that makes me think of winter nights waiting for Santa with hot cocoa and a warm fire. And just like the others, I’m inexplicably drawn to him, knowing nothing more about him other than what Ripley has told me.

But what if he doesn’t want me?

My chin is practically touching my chest as I look down at my feet and my shoulders hunch inwards as I begin to second guess myself. If he doesn’t want me, does that mean Zeke and Manny wouldn’t be able to court me? Would they still want to if they’re not all in agreement? There’s just so much I don’t know and that I’m still having to learn about the ins and outs of omega and pack life, and I hate it. I’m praying for the ground to swallow me up the longer he goes without saying anything to me, the anxiety rushing through my veins making me feel incredibly skittish.

But then Ridge’s chest vibrates as a purr so loud and soothing rumbles from him that my breath catches as I turn into jelly again, my knees going weak. My hands land on his chest to keep from falling, and when I look into his hazel eyes, the intensity is enough to completely stop my heart.

“You don’t think I want to court you, as well, Little Omega?” he asks, his voice deep and gravelly as it mixes with his purr, and a quiet whimper escapes my lips that are clenched tight.

There’s a storm raging in his hazel eyes as he holds mine, and everything and everybody around us disappears, fading away until it’s just me and him. The part of my soul that’s desperate to be loved and cared for aches for him, aches to be reassured that he’s mine, too.

“I don’t know,” I whisper, my voice cracking.

Slowly, his hands come up until they’re holding my hips, and he pulls me in. My hands get trapped between my body and his as he squeezes me to him and bends down to nuzzle his cheek against mine carefully, like he’s a little unsure. My eyes close on their own and I sigh.

“I want to be your alpha, Cozette. I want to be your alpha more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life… if you’ll have me.”

Fifteen

Cozette

Surrounded by piles of new blankets, pillows, and other cozy items, I sit in the middle of my nest, contemplating how to… do this.

Shortly after Ridge confirmed his intentions to court me, they took their leave, leaving me with the promise to see me soon and their respective phone numbers. As soon as they left, a feeling of emptiness washed over me, and the doubts and anxieties that I had managed to keep at bay returned with a vengeance. I stood outside, my gaze fixated on the empty driveway where they hadparked just moments ago for what felt like ten never-ending minutes until Mama Valley finally came out to get me.

Now I need to officially assemble my nest for tonight, and I have no idea where to start.

Mama Valley said to just follow my instincts. That I’d know what to do once I was in here and had everything around me.

I blow out a breath and decide the only way to figure it out is to actually try. There’s no point in blankly staring at my surroundings. It’s not going to magically make this place feel comfortable or secure for me.

Determined to finally get started, I collect an armful of plush blankets, ready to create the perfect nest. Closing my eyes, I take a deep, cleansing breath, and when I reopen my eyes, I listen to those instincts that seem so much louder these days.

I begin by weaving the blankets together, forming a cozy horseshoe shape that provides a plush and comforting feel. I layer on blankets and exceptionally plush sheets until there are none remaining, transforming the nest into a wide expanse capable of accommodating multiple people. With the framework of the nest done, I stand up and attach the canopy I picked out. Once it’s hanging on the hook Damien added to the ceiling, I spread out the deep blue gauzy fabric that glitters when the light touches it like a night sky. Then, I add in the countless pillows, lining several along where my head will lie and spreading the rest out.

After placing the last pillow in its spot, I nibble on my lip and take a moment to look around. My trembling heart finds solace as I gaze upon what I’ve built for myself, feeling a wave of tranquility wash over me. After hanging up the decorations that Mama Valley and Ripley helped me select, I gather all the stuffed animals I picked from Nest ‘N’ Things. I playfully toss them into the center of my cozy fort before crawling inside and settling on my knees, surrounded by a sea of plushies and pillows.

As I sit in what I built, feeling a surge of pride, my fingers comb through the soft plushies to arrange them. It’s only then that I realize the bat, which Jeremiah had retrieved for me, is nowhere to be found. With furrowed brows, I meticulously scan my surroundings, searching every corner and crevice. My eyes linger on the pile of stuffed animals I brought along when I don’t see it anywhere in the room.

With each passing moment, my stomach clenches tighter as I slowly work myself up almost to the point of tears because of this missing bat. They might have lost it while moving everything from the store to here. Maybe it fell out of a cart or… or something?

As I reach for my phone, ready to get up and look for it in my room, I pause at the sight of a notification from Jeremiah when the screen illuminates, filling the room with a faint blue light. It’s from earlier today, maybe half an hour after we had all left Nest ‘N’ Things, and when I open it, a selfie of him pops up, his smiling face lit up by the warm afternoon sunlight streaming through a window as he rests on a bed covered in disheveled black sheets. My breath catches in my throat, and I quickly cover my mouth, trying to suppress a giggle as a warm blush creeps up my cheeks and ears.

As I take in the picture of Jeremiah, I can’t help but bite my lip. He’s holding the adorable blue, somewhat sparkly bat squish, which contrasts starkly against his hard, shirtless tattooed frame. Looking directly at the camera, he grins with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

His body is a living work of art, with tattoos covering every inch. The combination of black, gray, and vibrant colors creates a visually stunning mosaic. The artwork is absolutely mesmerizing, demanding my full attention with its striking beauty. As I continue to stare at the picture, I can feel acomforting warmth enveloping me, accompanied by a gentle ache that slowly intensifies.

With the bat curled tight in his left arm, Jeremiah’s biceps strain as he holds it close, while his right hand expertly captures the picture on his phone. Swallowing feels impossible the more I take in, finding this picture of such a strong and powerful man, cuddling my adorable plush incredibly attractive and…