But here I stood, so far from picture perfect it would give my father a heart attack, and Ocean still didn’t stop staring at me, and it just…
I stepped closer to him and breathed in his scent, eager to discover whether he smelled as good as I’d been hoping.
I was shocked the reality didn’t physically knock me to the ground, all my thoughts grinding to a halt as I breathed it in.
It was rich and deep, black coral sparkling with sea salt. Earthy and ancient, a promise of surety and safety.
It was a beacon, calling to me, drawing me out from underneath the layers of cold protection I’d encased myself in. My mind was blossoming with hope, with color and light and warmth—everything I thought I’d never feel again.
My instincts took over, and I pulled him close, kissing him as I’d wanted to do earlier. He let out a low groan that made heat throb in my core, and I pushed him back, my hand slipping down to cup the hardness in his underwear.
I was desperate and almost fell on top of him as he hit the bed, but that was good because my legs were around his waist now. I pressed closer, hands tangling in his hair.
God, what was this? I couldn’t get enough of his rich, deep scent, my need for him stronger than anything I’d ever experienced before. It felt so right, like a piece of my soul had been missing, but now it was home?—
Scent match.
Terror coursed through me at the thought. I stumbled back, and my scent flared out from me, rippling and sharp with fear.
I turned and fled.
TWELVE
5 YEARS AGO
LAUREL
Father knocked on the door in front of us, his other hand giving my shoulder a hard squeeze. Anxiety spiked in my mind at his reminder to stay quiet and behave.
Never mind that we were in an area I’d never been to before, on the far side of the tracks and deep into the Gritch district. The houses were dirty and falling apart; needles and cigarettes littered the ground. When we’d walked along the street, everyone had taken one look at my father and his entourage and dissolved into the shadows.
Smart people.
If only I could join them.
My father had become so much more intense since I’d presented as an omega a few months ago, and it had only gotten worse after Jule’s funeral.
He’d pulled me out of school, instead sending me to a “private tutor” who was focused entirely on omega studies. When I wasn’t in one of the many classes I had to attend, my fathertook me with him everywhere, which meant I had to always be on.
I’d been woken this morning, instructed to dress, then taken to a mystery location for the second day in a row.
Yesterday, my father had given me a smile at breakfast.
“Your life changes today,” he’d told me. Then he’d whisked me to the institute and had me scent small vials for hours. I knew about scent matches—but surely I was too young to match with a pack?
He’d noticed as I’d stopped on one, and though I’d tried to hide it, he’d plucked the vial from my hands.
Now, the door opened with a creak, and a sallow face peeked out from behind the chain lock. His scent hit me, and my face went red; this was the same scent I’d identified yesterday.
My scent match.
I trembled under my father’s hand. This man was probably in his thirties and was now staring at me in confusion.
“The fuck is this?” he muttered, eyes darting between me and my father.
“Jason Belcarra?” my father said. “I’m Thaddeus Fairchild.”
The alpha’s face paled as he recognized my father’s name.
