“Well, you brought a Birkin to the pool and nearly started a fistfight at the pool over you. Let’s not disillusion ourselves here. You could likely have anyone here on their knees and begging for a morsel of your attention. So yes, Claire, you should expect nothing less than the best.”
“Oh, you’re smooth,” she says, a nice flush of pink flowing down her chest.
The line moves and we’re finally at the front. A woman with a beaming smile greets us and asks us to scan our bracelets before taking us down the hallway.
“Our first nest is the Under the Sea suite” she says and both Claire and I have to hold back our laughter. Yet, neither of us tell her we could skip this room.
When we enter, it’s just as bad as it looked on the virtual tour. It’s like some Little Mermaid fever dream. They painted the walls in a deep blue with a mural of ocean creatures. The most diabolical part, the giant fucking water bed in the middle of the room. Who in their right mind has an orgy on a waterbed?
“Perhaps something else?” the attendant says.
“I’d like a bed that’s on the floor, and something a little less dark,” Claire suggests.
“I have just the suites in mind. Follow me,” she says as we trail behind her down the hallway. “This is the Princess Suite,” she says and as soon as we walk in I can see Claire’s eyes light up.
Someone truly built this nest for a princess. Though the lighting is low, it’s far brighter than the other room. The walls are a blush pink, the trim and ceiling accented in golds with warm lighting around the edge. A massive round bed covered in pillows and blankets sits in the middle of the room, built into the floor.
“Each nest also has multiple pullman beds, if you don’t want any of your heat partners in bed with you. All your meals will be brought to you and as you know, moderators will watch your heat for your safety. The emergency button for this room is here,” she says, pointing to a red button by the door. “Would you like to see the bathroom?”
“Yes please,” Claire says and we walk into the large ensuite. The countertops are white marble, there are two sinks, and gold-rimmed mirrors hang on the wall. Behind us, there’s a large glass shower and a massive tub with gold fixtures.
“This is lovely. Something I would design for myself,” Claire says.
The attendant seems happy, like she actually enjoys matching Omegas with their dream nest.
“Wonderful. We can put this as your first option. Would you like to see the others to have more options?”
Claire nods, but I can tell something is off. I put a hand on her lower back, and thankfully she doesn’t startle.
“What’s wrong?” I ask and she shakes her head. “You can tell me, I won’t judge you.”
“It’s just silly Omega stuff.”
“Omega stuff is never silly,” I say, and she leans in toward me, so the attendant can’t hear.
“Just the idea that I won’t get my first choice, that I’ll have to settle for a nest I don’t want, has me on edge. I know it’s ridiculous. I’m on this cruise because I obviously couldn’t find a pack the old fashioned way, so I have to take what I can get.”
She shakes her head again, like she’s frustrated with herself.
“You deserve the nest of your dreams. It’s not ridiculous,” I tell her. “You should never have to settle,” I say and she stands up a little straighter.
We go through a few more nests and Claire lists off her top choices. I can’t help but to glance over at the tablet when she’stalking to the nest matcher and see who her pre-selected heat matches are. Of course, every Omega had to pre-select some Alphas based on scent, in case, god forbid, they went into heat on the first day. Logically I know that, but I can’t help but to feel irritated over the idea of not being here for her heat.
I just met her. But at the same time I’m a big believer of when you know, you know. Forrest and I have never met an Omega and been on the same wavelength.
Claire finishes up everything she needs with the attendant. “Oh, could you add him and his Alpha to my list of potential heat partners?” Claire says and then turns to me. “Wait, that was really presumptuous of me. We just met, and obviously consent for this goes both ways. It’s just…I don’t know the other Alphas I chose, that was all scent based and I actually know you and Forrest. Sorry, never mind.”
“No. Put us down. Forrest and Wells Torrin,” I say.
“Forrest has your last name?” she questions and I nod.
“I’ll put them down as your initial requests and the other Alphas with preferred pheromones second,” the woman says, and Claire nods.
We leave the suites and wait for the elevator.
“I’m sorry for putting you on the spot like that. I was rambling again. I swear, I’m not usually like this. It’s just. Fuck. I don’t know what it is.”
I let my instincts take over. Wrapping my arms around her and holding her in a firm hug. Her body melts against mine as her smaller arms wrap around me, and she rests her head against my chest. When one of my moms was stressed all they needed was confident physical touch, assurance from someone they could trust, and it seems like the same is true with Claire.