“Inside.” Cole drops a kiss on my forehead. “You can’t be outside in the alpha quad when you smell this fucking good.”
I go to stand, but he sweeps me into his arms instead, holding me in a firefighter lift.
“Holy shit.” Laz groans when Cole carries me into the living room. “Someone smells amazing.”
“Come sit here, Faye.” Ren pats a spot on the sofa next to him. “It’s all yours.”
“To be continued,” Cole whispers in my ear.
Well, damn. I’ll hold him to that.
I cuddle up by Ren’s side, then Cole joins us on my other side, holding a bowl of popcorn, while Laz curls up at my feet like a giant cat.
Ren loads upThe Grand Budapest Hotelfor us to watch. It’s a good choice, as I’ve seen it so many times, and we spend most of the movie talking. Their laughter combined with my fullness makes me feel so lethargic that, at some point, I must drift off.
I sit up, waking to find myself still sandwiched between Cole and Ren who are both asleep. Laz has passed out on the floor, arms splayed, mouth wide open and snoring. Being careful not to disturb them, I tiptoe away to the kitchen in search of water when his smell hits me.
It’s him.
Damon.
His head is buried in the fridge, inked arms laden with goods and empty food wrappers covering the kitchen counter like a bear has ransacked the place.
He’s shirtless. His rippling back and shoulder muscles seem even more pronounced under the bright lights that also illuminate faded scars running down his spine. My stomach sinks, realizing they look like belt lashings.
“Getting a good look, are you?” Damon’s head whips around, fury blazing in his eyes.
“N-no.” I’m a stuttering mess. “I only w-wanted a g-glass of water.”
He slams the food in his arms down on the counter then storms over to a tall cupboard. He throws it open, reaches the highest shelf to get me a glass, then storms to the fridge to fill it for me.
We stand in frosty silence, only broken by the trickling water. Why is it taking so long to fill? Seconds seem to drag on for hours, and I can sense he’s seething.
Staying the night was a mistake. The others made me feel welcome, but Damon obviously hates having me around. From all I’ve read, everyone in a pack has to be on board for bonding to be a success.
Before the water overflows, he jerks the glass away and thrusts it in my direction, water sloshing down the sides. “Here.”
I shuffle over, afraid he’s going to throw it, then gingerly take it from him with shaking fingers. “Thank you.”
“Is there anything else you want?” he snaps. “A midnight platter? Perhaps my favorite protein bars? I mean, you’re already making yourself at home.”
“N-no, just water. Thank you.” I turn to head back when a new, unexpected boldness takes over me. “Actually, there is one thing.”
“What is it, princess?” he snarls.
“I want to know what I’ve done for you to hate me so much.”
He rears back, brows furrowed. “You think I hate you?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” I gesture at the spilled water all over Cole’s impeccably mopped floor. “You made it clear you didn’t like me from the moment we met near the ice cream truck. You left the costume party as soon as you saw me. You avoided me all night and didn’t join us for pizza. You act like being in my company causes you physical pain.”
Damon huffs as he straightens up to his full height, like a dragon about to unleash a century’s worth of fire.
“Being around you causes me pain, but only because I can’t fucking stand what your scent does to me.” He steps closer, his nostrils flaring. “How fucking good you smell is like a personal form of torture, and you seem intent on flaunting it.”
“Flaunting it?” I backpedal. “You’re acting like I planned this whole scent match thing. I can’t control my biology, you know that!”
“You could try.” Lip curled, he steps closer again. “It’d make it easier for everyone.”
