A lithe redhead sat at the table behind her, lounging like this was her home. The comfortable way she sat made me think she would be comfortable no matter where she was and no matter the reason.

“You’re courting Esme Williams?” Addison asked too loudly to be a whisper and too quietly to be aimed at me.

Ben scrubbed his hands over his face. “Yes. And she’s right there, Addison. Don’t be rude.”

“Are you kidding?” She asked, dropping her chip back in the bowl and coming toward me. “This is badass.”

Halfway across the room she stopped. Her eyes went wide, and she swung back to her brother. “You have an Omega in heat in this house and you don’t have the nest ready?”

“It was unexpected,” I said, fidgeting with my fingers. “I wasn’t going to be here for it.”

Addison’s eyes were fiery, and in that moment, I decided I liked her. “If they bullied you into coming here—”

“No,” I laughed. “That was my sister, actually.”

“I’m Addison,” she held out a hand, and I shook it. She smelled pleasantly like bubblegum. “And this is Claire, my bonded Alpha.”

I smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

The woman returned the smile. “Are you comfortable with another Alpha approaching you?”

Nodding, she stood, and came over to me, graceful as all get out. Her scent was darker. Something like incense that I couldn’t quite put a name to. “It’s nice to meet you, Esme. The boys have needed someone like you for a long time. And the rest of you can stop hiding. We’re not going to bite.”

A snorted laugh came from behind me, but they were all in the entryway, staring in various directions. Addison turned to Ben once more. “Is the nest still blank?”

“Yes.” His eyes were sad. “I’m sorry, Esme.”

“It’s fine. The fact that I’m here at all is amazing.”

Addison scoffed. “It is very much not fine. You’re in pre-heat?”

“I am.”

“Are you in pain?”

I made a face. “Not really. It comes and goes in small waves. But nothing too bad.”

She grinned. “Feel like going shopping? I know where we can get everything you need to nest.”

“I—”

“Don’t overwhelm her, Addison,” Luke said, a gentle warning in his voice.

The way she looked at him made me both laugh and admire her. She told him exactly what she thought, and that it didn’t involve him, all with a single look. “This is what I do, Ben. We’ll be fast,” she said. “Promise. But only if you’re up to it.”