Page 31 of All Packed Up

“It’s not the sweater I have a problem with,” he sneered, beginning his descent down the stairs. “You have to change. Holes in the jeans? Are you fifteen again, Wendy?”

“Wendy?”

Nic’s voice overrode the alpha’s, and she blinked. He was standing by the bed, a tall, dark, much lovelier vision than the one she’d been having.

“You okay?” he asked.

Wendy nodded. “Yeah, sorry. Having a moment.” She waved her hand through the air to clear it away.

His gaze was still colored with concern, but he let her pretend as he lowered a tray to the bed.

Nic was a beta. Sweet. Genuine. Safe.

Didn’t fucking care about looking pretty for the cameras.

Nic was taking care of her—not that she needed it, mind you, because she could take care of herself by herself, pack and designation be damned—but it was… nice not to worry about where she was going to sleep or if the alphas were on her trail. Or what she looked like twenty-four seven.

His smile was a little less smiley, paired with an awkward chuckle. “So, I’m going to admit I had no idea what the hell you were talking about when you said you wanted fancy cheeses. But apparently… my neighbors did.”

“Holy shit,” Wendy said as Nic uncovered the board. She leaned forward to get a better look.

It had every kind of cheese Wendy could think of, paired with crackers and fruit and veggies. She was in heaven. Her stomach let out a growl, as if just reminded that food existed and she needed it right then.

“They even left us a note,” Nic said, a grin on his face. “‘stoners know their cheese. Enjoy.’”

“They are sweet to put this together so late at night,” Wendy commented. She pulled the tray closer and surveyed all of the decisions before finally picking up a cracker to pair with a Buttered Whiskey Brie.

It melted on her tongue, sweet and tangy at the same time, and she hummed.

“They knew what they were doing,” she announced, and pointed at the cheese. “Try that one.”

Nic smiled, and the second half of their night began.

It was filled with bad television and even worse jokes, and Wendy had her fill of the charcuterie board the neighboring alphas had prepared for them. It touched a soft spot in her heart that two total strangers would go through the trouble for her.

Well, it was for Nic, not her, but the sentiment still left her a little bewildered.

They ate their fill of cheese and carbs, and Wendy didn’t have to worry about what she was ‘putting in her body’ for once.

As the hours passed, she was more and more grateful that Nic had found her.

Gratitude turned into affection, and by the time they were comfy under the blankets, her eyes were growing heavy.

“It’s been years since I stayed up this late,” Nic admitted. His soft chuckle bounced his chest beneath her cheek.

“Me too. We’re missing someone though,” she teased. “Where’s my fat cat? Knuckles,” she cooed.

He had long left the store-bought bed, probably rustling under the couch like the little goblin he was. Wendy wasn’t going to tell Nic that.

“Do you want me to go get him?” Nic asked, tightening his arms around her.

“No, you’re keeping me warm,” she answered, and burrowed her head closer. But the thought of him hunting down Knuckles and wrestling him back to the room made her heart dance.

“Well, I suppose I can’t move then, can I?” he mused.

Wendy bit her cheek to keep a laugh from spilling out. “Absolutely not. You must perish here.”

“Of course. Anything for you, Mouse.”