2 - The Sky Nest

~Daphne’s Point of View~

I gaped at the building and fished out my phone again to look at the map. I had five missed calls and voicemails. All from the same number. Hmm, that cop I bet. Oh well, he can wait. My heart couldn’t handle what happened to Greta, but the fact was that she wasn’t in need of a home anymore and I was, desperately. I blew out a hard breath, it was already nearing dinner time and I just wanted a bed. 

Opening the door, a light smell of something cinnamon wafted in my nose and it was so damn nice. Like walking into a house where someone’s baking. It warmed me down to my bones.

The walls were a nice cream color with little splashes of beige and light yellows. You’d think it was a bit institutional but they pulled it off so well. The lights were soft, and the furniture looked big and comfy. 

Is this like a rich people’s shelter?

If it is, I sure as hell hope I can stay. I’d even take the damn waiting room couch right now, I was that tired.

“Well hello,” a woman’s voice said, bringing me out of my daze.

I turned to see a blonde in a modest navy blue dress and my first though? Mormon. Totally that vibe. Perfect smile, fake nails. No way those boobs are real either.

“Come on in dear. Care for a warm beverage,” she asked, leading me toward the couch.

Hmm, I did love a nice warm soothing drink. 

“Sounds lovely. What is this place,” I asked, sitting down and dropping my backpack. 

She brought a tray with a small tea kettle and pushed over a TV tray. There were at least half a dozen different tea bags. My eyes gazed over them until I found green tea with lemon and quickly helped myself.

“I’m Evelyn, by the way. Well I have a confession to make. I truly hope it doesn’t scare you off,” she said, sitting next to me and promptly crossing her legs like a perfect lady. Her posture was perfect, her eyebrows freshly waxed. She didn’t look a day over thirty but her voice and actions were like a sixty year old.

Herrrre it comes. The Jesus lecture.

For a warm place to stay I might temporarily find him. May convert.

“Well I’m a shifter. A wolf to be exact, is that okay,” she smiled.

I pressed my lips together, just as I was about to dunk my tea bag. There had been a female shifter at my last job a couple years ago and she was always pretty nasty. But she hated everyone. Definitely seemed like I got the scowl more than most though. She was beautiful and I just figured she had the stuck up pretty girl personality.

“I’d prefer to more fully answer that when you tell me what this place is. I was under the impression it was a homeless shelter,” I said, hardly able to believe I needed such a place.

I quickly made my tea while she eyed me.

I had no beef with shifters that I knew of. Hadn’t exactly known many though. I didn’t see many people outside of work and mostly they were human, I was pretty sure.

Shifters aren’t required to disclose what they are so if they don’t want you to know they’re pretty good about hiding it. The ones who want to be out and loud about it are mostly celebrities looking to cash in on the “cool” factor. Human men and women alike always want to brag about getting one in bed.

“We can certainly offer you a safe space to stay. Tell me dear, when you first walked in how did the room make you feel,” she asked, raising her eyebrow.

I sipped my tea and it was calming. A little more and I’d be asleep. A warm blanket was washing over me and I felt safe, secure. 

“It’s beautiful. Like out of a magazine but yet lived in. The colors, the textures… they’re so welcoming. Even though this isn’t a home it feels like it. The light is just right, I’m used to harsh lighting at work and I won’t miss it,” I said, nodding.

She smiled and seemed to be thinking about what to say next. A weird feeling crept through my spine and I shot up before I could help myself.

“Is this some kind of shifter kink place? A brothel where you recruit humans,” I asked, and instantly looked around a bit more. I’d heard of such things but you hear all kinds of rumors. This is New York, you can find a little bit of everything.

I may be desperate but… no no no. I can’t be that desperate. I’m not a freakin’ whore!

“Of course not dear. I’m sorry it wasn’t explained to you. Let me get you a pamphlet. Please, sit and enjoy your tea,” Evelyn said, getting up.

Without many better options I did as she said. The more I looked around the room it was just bizarre. I felt oddly calm and relaxed. Right now I should be freaking out more than I ever had in my life. But I just didn’t truly feel the weight of it all right now. 

“Here we go,” she said, handing me a booklet.

“The Sky Light, a haven right here on Earth.” 

I flipped through the pages to see magnificent waterfalls, mountains and streams. Valleys with green pastures and animals all around. 

Animals. No … shifters. Tigers, bears, wolves. Is that … a lynx? Yeah, there’s no way real animals like that would just be casually hanging out together.

Then there were photos of gorgeous, like breathtakingly perfect men and women swimming in white sandy beaches. I laughed right out loud.

“What’s funny dear,” the lady asked.

“What does this place…” I said, pointing around.

“Have to do with this place? And me,” I asked.

Were they sending me on a vacation? My pale skin would fry in the sun and I’d be the laughing stock of everyone with their perfect bodies. I’d never worn a bikini in my life and had no desire to. Suddenly my worn sneakers, ripped jeans and old t-shirt made me feel incredibly insecure.

“Have you ever heard the word Omega,” she asked, smiling.

“It’s a Greek word I guess,” I said, shrugging.

Her face lit up.

“Well you see humans and shifters greatly enjoy each other’s company but as far as getting together long term only certain kinds of female humans are able to accommodate a shifter. They have a slightly different make up in their genes that allows for it,” she said, again with the fake smile.

I nearly squinted my eyes trying to figure out really what the heck she was saying. So?

“It’s been a really flipping long night for me. Like you have no idea. My head can’t fit a whole lot more and certainly it isn’t open for guessing so just lay it out there. What are you talking about,” I asked, making gestures with my hands.

“Well dear Omegas have a very distinctive scent. It’s utterly alluring even to female shifters. Being around you is nice and comforting in a way. The inside of my building here was designed with Omegas in mind. Everything you need from a little nest. A comfortable place when you can relax and perhaps decide your future,” she said, reaching to touch my hand.

She patted me and I didn’t shy away. 

“That still really doesn’t tell me much,” I said, practically in a whine. I took another sip of my tea as it finally clicked in my head. I carefully sat the cup down.

“You are trying to tell me my body is a breeding machine for shifters,” I said, raising my eyebrow. 

I wasn’t sure if it was a statement or a question, but she lightly shook her head.

“That’s certainly not how I would put it. Your body is able to join with a shifter, bear a child yes. Whereas a normal everyday human couldn’t. But your body is more inclined to also want that. The Omegas that we find and send to The Sky Light are in heaven. A male who dotes on them, waits on their every need. Not to mention the most mind blowing sex you could possibly imagine. We cater everything to what your body demands. The right foods, the ideal comfortable space. You are absolutely treasured because you are very rare and amazing,” she said, nodding.

I sat back against the couch for a moment. I remembered the girl at the coffee shop who gave me the card. How she kind of sniffed me. That’s what she’d been smelling?

“Have other shifters noticed me since I’m supposedly this beacon in the night,” I asked, cocking my head to the side. 

“Of that, I have no doubt. It is honestly shocking to me that you haven’t chosen a forever mate already. How old are you dear,” she asked.

“Twenty-one. Hardly ready to settle down, I mean I guess having a man in my life would certainly help my current predicament. But I’m not going to shack up with a guy and knock out a kid for the sake of having a place to live,” I snapped, crossing my arms.

“This can be temporary if that’s what you choose. It is rare but some Omegas have taken us up on an offer of just bearing a child and then coming back to the real world and moving on. We would certainly compensate you. But the vast majority settle down and stay. How could you possibly turn away paradise like “The Sky Light” I mean…” she trailed off, seeming to remember something fondly.

“So getting to stay here would only be contingent on me eventually going there,” I asked. 

Fuck the future, like I had any clue about next week. I needed a plan for tonight. 

“You are more than welcome to stay. This is a safe haven for Omegas. I just don’t happen to have another here at the moment. The last one went on to paradise last month and she’s absolutely loving it. I couldn’t live with myself if you went back onto the streets and the wrong kind of shifter found you. We want you to have a choice,” she said, nodding.

I practically lunged forward and grabbed her shoulders.

“You mean someone could just snatch me? Against my will,” I said, practically breathless.

She made a face and frowned, but nodded.

There were always stories about shifters doing awful things, kidnapping, etc. But hell, humans did that too. I can’t think right now, I’m too damn tired.

“Again, I’ve had a very long night. Could I maybe sleep on it and we could talk more tomorrow,” I asked, hopeful.

“Oh absolutely! Let me take you to a room,” she said, jumping up a bit too enthusiastically. 

She led me upstairs and even carried my suitcase like it weighed nothing. Damn, female shifters must have extra strength too. 

“Here we are. There is a mini fridge with some drinks and snacks. Please help yourself. A cupboard right there has a few things too. There’s an en suite right through there with anything you might need. I have very sensitive hearing so even though my room is at the far end of the hall, if you step out and call for me I’ll hear it,” she said, laying my suitcase on a chair. 

I gaped at the room, it was by far even nicer than downstairs. Big, caramel colored curtains and plush carpet. I’d always had a thing for certain textures, the softer the better. Before I could help myself I dropped to the floor and ran the back of my hand over the soft material. I gazed toward the huge bed, it looked beyond inviting and cozy. There were at least half a dozen pillows, in different whites and light yellows. 

“I trust you’ll have a nice night’s rest. Oh I’m sorry sweetie I didn’t catch your name,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her.

I got to my feet and smiled.

“I’m Daphne,” I said, sticking out my hand.

I went from not having a single person in the world who cared or even knew where I was to this weird lady wanting to give me a whole new life. 

Definitely fishy but, it’s an option to at least have whereas I had none before. 

“Welcome to the Sky Nest Daphne. See you in the morning,” she said, shaking my hand.