Delilah tsks. “You can’t just ask someone that, Kady. It’s rude.”
Sabs smiles. “Faye strikes me as a scent match type of gal.”
Everyone knows a scent match is super rare. It’s basically the golden lottery ticket of matches, when an alpha and omega’s scents are beyond highly compatible—they’re destined. Their scents are irresistible to each other.
“Isn’t that what everyone wants?” Delilah reclines, sighing wistfully with a dreamy expression. “Your scents perfectly pairing, like peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream or maple syrup and bacon.”
“Honestly, I haven’t thought too much about a pack,” I reply. “Leaving home was a big enough deal. And even if I did find a pack, I’d still want to finish school.”
Kady nods in approval. “Spoken like a true Stella.”
“Knots are nice, but our lives don’t revolve around them,” Sabs chirps.
How lucky am I to be surrounded by three amazing women?
After all the chats and excitement, I disguise a yawn behind my hand. In addition to being inconvenient, heat spikes are exhausting too. The joys of being an omega!
“Come on.” Instantly noticing, Kady jumps to her feet. She doesn’t miss anything. “Faye needs nap and nest time!”
“I’ll have dinner ready for when you wake up,” Delilah tells me. “What are you craving?”
“Anything you make will be delicious,” I answer. “Something warm and comforting, maybe?”
“No salads,” Sabs chirps. “She needs carbs!”
“Lasagna and garlic bread, it is.” Delilah rises from the sofa.
Sounds amazing.
As they file out, Kady pauses at the doorway. “I almost forgot. There’s one more thing for you in the pharmacy bag, Faye. Someone brought your homework from Professor Grub’s class.” Trepidation curdles in my stomach. “They left it with Margie at the gate.”
Once they’re gone, I drag my body to the table to find a large envelope with papers inside. I shake the packet, and a note falls out:
Hope you feel better soon.
I put in something that should help.
Ren
Taped to the back of my homework is a small pouch of herbs. I recognize the dried petals and herb combination instantly. They’re everything I’ll need to make a soothing steam mist for putri flower poisoning that will help my nasal irritation fade faster. I already have all the supplies to make it myself, but the fact that Ren took the time to put them together makes my heart flutter, especially after my abrupt departure.
I turn the note over in my hands. Tracing his delicate handwriting with gentle loops, I bring it up to my nose to sniff it before stopping myself.
Am I going crazy, or is this heat spike seriously messing with my head?
NINE
Faye
Kady watches me, concern wrinkling her forehead. “Are you sure you’re well enough to come, Faye?”
It’s been a few days since my heat spike. The Stellas have all been really supportive, and since I’m feeling much more myself—especially after increasing my suppressant dosage—I’m determined not to miss out on any college experiences.
To increase my confidence, I even ventured to the library yesterday. On the way, I bought what ended up being an amazing coffee from Bouncing Bunna. While in line, I was sandwiched between two alphas. Although I got subtle hints of their scents, my body didn’t react at all, confirming that my suppressants are working how they should be. Kady must have been right about my sheltered life being behind my heat spike.
“I’ll be fine,” I dismiss her concerns. “Honestly, I’m looking forward to it.”
Sure, I’m nervous, but I’m also excited. Sabs is embroiled in the social scene here, and she’s insistent that tonight’s party is a key event on the SVU calendar. The only other parties I’ve been to were with Gram’s book club—who, after a few bottles of wine, get surprisingly rowdy. At their last get together, I had tointervene to stop them from yarn bombing a grumpy farmer’s tractor to avoid a town rift.
