Is he drawn by the same Pull?
His elbows rest on his knees, long hair drifting in the soft wind. When he sees me, he lifts his head.
Our eyes meet and stay locked.
"So… you feel it too?" I blurt out.
Snow’s face brightens.
"Yes."
"It’s… really strong."
He gives me this almost wistful smile. I walk toward him slowly, my heart swelling in my chest.
"I hope it won’t be a disappointment for you. Not everyone likes this kind of intensity," he says, cocking his head.
He’s wearing a black tank top, his tattoos glinting faintly in the dim light of the garden lamps. I’ve seen him under that tree so many times, and every time he stirred that magic in me. Now it’s awakening again, but it feels different this time, hungrier, wilder.
"You’ve got to be kidding me," I snort. "This is exactly what I wanted, Snow! What I said to you on the beach, it sounded stupid at the time, I know, and I regretted it later, but that feeling…" I pause my train of thought for a moment and take a deeper breath. "Listen, I always read about the madness that binds True Mates, and I wanted that. That romantic pull, that craving. Because it’s like love, Snow. Can’t you see? It can’t be controlled; it has tocontrol us. Only then does it hold true power."
I take a running start, my eyes sparkling mischievously, and I jump straight onto his lap.
My fingers immediately sink into his long hair.
And suddenly, something hits me.
What’s that?
The scent!
New, potent, overwhelming. I already know the general note: heather, but before, it was mostly from his body wash or shampoo, that kind of artificial tone you get from cosmetic products.
Now it’s different. There’s a deeper note, vibrating through the air, pulling at something inside me, so alive, so vibrant, and before I even realize it, an AO call bursts out of me:‘Appreciation!’
Then comes the understanding.
If I’d smelled this the day I first came to the Nolans’ house, I would’ve known right away. That we’re fated mates, meant for each other. This is Snow’s true scent, and it’sthe scent. Oh my goodness, it could’ve been that simple!
"Your scent, Snow! It’s divine! Finally off the suppressants!"
Snow chuckles. "Yeah. I was unconscious for a whole day, so I figured I might as well skip the next pill."
I stare at him, completely thrown. "So… before, when you smelled me, was it… different? Like, did it change between when we were Twin Souls and now, as True Mates?"
Snow laughs again. "No, Summer. Whether Twin Souls or True Mates, we were always meant for each other. No questions, no doubts. The Allure was the same."
I let out a huff.
"Then why the hell were you even using those?"
Snow sighs. "When you first came to our house, you couldn’t even remember the day before, Summer. You were terrified, traumatized, still fighting who you really are, your real form. It needed time to grow, and the bond needed to blossom between us. But now…"
With some fire in my eyes, I cup his face in my hands.
"But now, it’s just another piece that finally fits. You smell like a heather field, and dear Fate, that’s fucking amazing!"
I press my nose to his skin and breathe him in deep, and Snow laughs softly. For a moment, our lips meet in easy, light, sweet kisses, our lips moist, our tongues dancing. How nice.
