know Dan was mine to keep.
When Dan and everyone helping him came back with armloads of nest-building supplies, I was relieved. Edgar once again proved himself to be the perfect assistant, directing them to pile everything at the far end of the couch for me to pick through.
Anything not carrying my mate's scent, even faintly from being in his private quarters, got kicked to the floor. Dear whimpered when I unapologetically kicked several items I knew belonged to him away. It was too bad I couldn't properly laugh in this form because it was hilarious when Dear dropped to his knees and gathered his pieces to his chest.
Lifting his chin, he sniffed as he stood with his arms full of clothes. "Sorry if my things aren’t acceptable because they don't reek like Dan. The thanks I get for trying to sacrifice a few pieces of couture to class up your nest. The one you're building on our couch, might I add."
"Careful, brat. Gil's my mate, and he can build his nest anywhere he wants." Dan shoved his brother to the side, dropping an arm load of brand-new clothes in front of me. Though the tags were still attached, they smelled of my mate.
Good.
Using my paws and teeth, I ripped one of the new shirts in half. I didn't know how I’d ever second-guessed Dan all those years ago, but he proved he was the right one for me when he barely blinked at the sight of his immaculate shirt being destroyed. Instead, he took off the one he was wearing and tore it in half before holding it out to me.
As I took it from him, I rubbed my cheek against his chest, marking him as mine. As if there were any doubt. If any omega ever tried to get close enough to smell my mate, I would end them. A thought for another day. Today was nesting day.
Dan grabbed another shirt, another of the fresh ones, and rubbed it against his armpit, then tore it into several pieces. When he passed them to me, I chittered happily and nudged the small pile I was building in the center of the couch, inviting him to help. Thankfully, my alpha seemed to instinctively understand what I wanted, and I left him piling pieces of clothing while I shredded pillows and a nice thick duvet cover with my teeth.
When the mound of cloth became bigger and taller than my belly, I jumped in the middle and twisted my hips like I was dancing. As the center of the pile collapsed and clothing spread out in a circle around me, I pawed and nudged it with my nose to build a nice high berm of fabric around the all-important middle area. As soon as he caught onto what I was doing, Dan once again pitched in.
And not a moment too soon. I barely had time to lean back against the couch and admire the awesome nest we'd built when I got the urge to push. It wouldn't be long now. I didn’t know how I knew, but I did. Hesitating, I tried to figure out what was missing. I glanced around the couch at the remnants of torn fabric and pillow fluff, then back at Dan, and I knew what I needed.
Gripping my belly with both paws, I bounced up and down and stared at his pants, chittering hysterically. Even though we weren't bonded yet, Dan seemed to read my mind and acted without hesitation.
He kicked off his shoes and dropped his pants, never mind it left him standing in front of both of our families in nothing but a shiny pink Speedo. I’d ask him about the outfit later… and make him model them for me in private. With body oil. Maybe the kind with glitter in it.
He held his pants out and asked, "Where do you want them, Blondie?"
I kicked a foot out and tapped my toe in the center of the nest. Smiling, Dan held his pants high over the center, then dropped them, letting them fall perfectly where I wanted. Thanks to the way he'd let them slip, a nice peak formed towards the front of the nest, slanting back toward me. Also good because it would keep anyone from missing the mark when they fell.
Problem solved, I rested my chest over the couch and planted my feet against the back cushions. I held on to the couch with both paws and wiggled my tail as I began to