baby's room

Noah Smith stood before the partially dismantled wall separating the master bedroom from what would soon be the nursery, a measuring tape in one hand and a small pry bar in the other.

Sweat glistened on his forehead despite the cool night air, evidence of the hours he'd already spent carefully removing sections of drywall and exposing the wooden studs beneath.

Around him, a chaotic collection of tools and materials covered most of the living room floor—hammers, saws, screwdrivers, sheets of drywall, wooden panels with intricate carvings, sound-dampening insulation, and several containers of a strange silvery substance that emitted a faint, pleasant aroma.

His phone lay nearby, its screen displaying detailed sketches of an interconnected living space unlike any modern human design.

The air in the apartment was thick with Noah's cedar and iron scent, but tonight it carried distinct notes of anticipation and purpose—the olfactory signature of an Omega in the midst of nesting behavior.

Though he attempted to work quietly, the soft tapping of his hammer against the wall studs echoed in the otherwise silent apartment.

Noah paused, stepping back to consult the design on his phone once more.

The plans represented a fusion of ancient wolf traditions and modern safety features—something that hadn't existed for centuries since the Black Thorn Covenant had systematically eliminated many traditional wolf practices in favor of their rigid hierarchy.

"If I move this support beam just three inches," he muttered to himself, "I can install the moonstone filtering panel without compromising the structure."

So absorbed was he in his work that he didn't notice the soft footsteps approaching from the bedroom until a familiar voice broke the silence.

"Noah? It's three in the morning. What are you doing?"

Clara stood in the doorway, her platinum hair tousled from sleep, one hand rubbing tiredly at her eyes while the other rested protectively over her now-prominent baby bump.

Despite her obvious fatigue, her ice-blue vertical pupils remained alert, quickly scanning the room for potential threats before focusing on Noah and the partially demolished wall.

Noah froze like a child caught misbehaving, the pry bar dangling awkwardly in his hand as he stood amidst the chaos of construction materials.

"Just... organizing some things," he stammered, knowing how ridiculous the excuse sounded even as he spoke it.

"I'm sorry I woke you."

Without conscious effort, his protective pheromones intensified, reaching out to envelop Clara in a cocoon of reassuring scent—an instinctive response to her presence that he couldn't have suppressed if he tried.

Clara stepped further into the room, her bare feet silent on the wooden floor as she approached the construction area. Her eyes widened as she took in the full extent of Noah's nocturnal project.

"You're removing the wall?" she asked, gesturing to the substantial opening he'd already created between the two rooms.

Noah lowered his gaze, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. The behavior he was exhibiting—this overwhelming urge to create, to protect, to prepare—wasn't something modern Omegas were supposed to acknowledge, let alone act upon so openly.

"I... I don't know how to explain it properly," he admitted, setting down his tools and running a hand through his silver hair.

"I wanted the baby to have more space, to create something that would keep both of you safe and comfortable. I was going to surprise you when it was finished."

Clara's expression shifted from confusion to sudden understanding. "This is nesting behavior."

Noah nodded, relieved that she understood without him having to explain further. "The urge started around your third month of pregnancy. At first, it was just small things—rearranging furniture, adding extra locks to the doors. But lately..."

He gestured helplessly at the construction zone around them. "It's become overwhelming. I have to make sure you're both safe... have to create the perfect environment."

Instead of the judgment or annoyance he half-expected, Clara's expression softened with fascination. She approached the partially removed wall, running her fingers along the exposed wooden frame.

"What exactly are you planning to do?" she asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

Noah hesitated only briefly before reaching for his phone, eager to share now that his secret was discovered.

He pulled up the detailed designs he'd been working on for weeks, a combination of architectural drawings and symbolic elements that represented protection, growth, and family bonds in the ancient wolf tradition.

"I'm creating a connected space," he explained, his initial embarrassment giving way to enthusiasm as he showed her the plans. "See here? This opening will allow you to see the baby from our bed. I'm reinforcing all the exterior walls with a special combination of moonstone dust and silver birch—it blocks outside pheromones from penetrating while allowing our family scent to circulate freely."

Clara studied the designs, her analytical mind quickly grasping the practical and symbolic elements. "These symbols carved into the wood—they're protection runes from the old traditions."

Noah nodded, impressed by her recognition. " My grandmother taught me some of them before she died. "

He pointed to another aspect of the design. "Here, I'm installing a filtration system that will purify the air while maintaining optimal humidity for a newborn wolf cub. And these panels contain sound dampening materials that will allow the baby to sleep peacefully even when we're moving around in our room."

As he explained each element, Noah's confidence grew, his earlier embarrassment fading as he shared the vision that had been consuming his thoughts for weeks.

"The ceiling will have a special skylight aligned with the moon's path," he continued, pointing upward.

"According to the old texts, moonlight during the first three months helps stabilize a cub's pheromone development, especially for those with mixed bloodlines."

Clara listened intently, her expression unreadable as she absorbed all the details. When Noah finally fell silent, awaiting her verdict, she surprised him by gently touching the wall once more, her fingers tracing one of the half-completed protection symbols.

"I won't stop you," she said softly, her voice carrying a tenderness that few besides Noah had ever heard. "But at least let me help? Two sets of hands will make the work go faster."

Noah's tense shoulders relaxed visibly, relief washing over his features. "Really? You don't think I'm being... excessive?"

Clara's lips curved into a rare smile that transformed her usually severe features. "This is the sweetest thing I've ever seen anyone do," she admitted. "And surprisingly practical. I've been wondering how we would manage nighttime feedings with traditional separate rooms."

She moved closer to him, her ice-blue eyes reflecting the lamplight as she studied his face. "The Covenant suppressed these instincts in both Alphas and Omegas—told us they were primitive urges we needed to evolve beyond. But they're beautiful, Noah. A physical manifestation of love and protection."

Noah's expression softened with emotion. "You're not angry that I started without discussing it with you first?"

"How could I be angry about something done with such care and love?" Clara replied, reaching out to take his hand. As their fingers intertwined, their pheromones responded instantly, silver mist and blue crystals swirling together in the space between them.

Clara surveyed the materials scattered across the floor. "So, what can I help with tonight?"

"Tonight?" Noah echoed in surprise. "It's the middle of the night—you should be resting."

Clara raised an eyebrow in that imperious way that reminded him she was still very much an Alpha, pregnancy notwithstanding. "I'm perfectly capable of helping, Noah. The baby is healthy, I'm healthy, and apparently neither of us is going to sleep anytime soon."

She picked up a small carving tool from the pile of supplies. "These protection symbols—they're meant to be created by both parents, aren't they? To blend the energies of both bloodlines?"

Noah nodded, impressed again by her knowledge. "According to tradition, yes. The combined energy creates a stronger protective field."

"Then let's do this properly," Clara decided, rolling up the sleeves of her nightgown. "Show me where to start."

Noah's heart swelled with an emotion too complex to name—gratitude, love, wonder at how this formidable Alpha had transformed from his oppressor to his partner in creating something sacred from ancient traditions they both had been taught to abandon.

"We'll start with the moon blessing panel," he said, gesturing to a piece of pale wood with preliminary markings.

"It needs both blood moon and ice core energy to properly activate."

As Clara moved to join him at the workbench he'd set up, Noah caught her stifling a yawn despite her determination.

"But perhaps we should start with some tea first?" he suggested gently. "Lily sent a new blend that's supposed to help with your energy levels."

Clara's stubborn expression softened as she recognized the care behind his words. "Tea sounds perfect," she agreed. "And perhaps you can explain more about these traditions while we work. My education on pre-Covenant customs was... limited, to say the least."

"I'd like that," Noah replied warmly, heading toward the kitchen to prepare the tea. Over his shoulder, he added, "Just wait until I tell you about the blessing ceremony traditionally performed when the nursery is completed. It involves howling at precisely midnight during the waxing crescent."

Clara's surprised laughter followed him into the kitchen—a sound that had once been rare but now filled their home with increasing frequency.

As Noah filled the kettle, he could feel the blood moon mark on his palm warming gently, responding to his contentment and sense of purpose.