And then everything was ripped away from me.
The sound that leaves me is a childish, high pitched wail that dissolves into hiccups of grief.
Marlin and Mervin make their presence known, each of them jumping on top of my nest of blankets. Marlin offers me his toy mouse, while Mervin has a foam mini soccer ball in his mouth, which he drops next to me.
It only makes me cry harder.
“I don’t know what to do,” I croak, and they each curl up on either side of me, purring as they form into loaf shapes.
“I didn’t think it would be this soon,” I explain to them, and they slow blink at me, oblivious to my sorrow. “I didn’t even know it would happen at all.”
Scent matches aren’t guaranteed in life, and some people make do without them. But with my old pack, with Justin, Aaron, and Cody, we knew we weren’t right for each other. My Heats were fun with them, and they always took care of me.
But we were better off as friends.
And that’s what we should have been, had fate not royally fucked us.
Maybe if it hadn’t been raining that night. Maybe if I had insisted they stay until morning, since all our emotions were high.
Piper is lucky enough to have her scent matches, and I know Maeve is waiting for hers.
Why is the universe sending mine now?
I spend the next few minutes breathing through the guilt and sorrow that eats at me, slowing my heart rate and focusing only on softness of my cats’ fur.
My tuxedo boys are good to me, even if they try to deposit their drool-covered toys in my nest.
The buzzing of my phone interrupts my sniffling, and my stomach flips when I see Travis has texted me.
Heard you’re not feeling well. Get better soon.
It’s like a punch in the gut.
All this time, I thought Travis could be my scent match.
In another life, I would have been hoping it were him.
A rogue tear slides down my cheek, and I don’t bother replying to him.
What is there to say?
A knock at my door startles Mervin and Marlin, who both scatter off my bed and race to hide under it.
I frown.
I’m not expecting anyone, but I kick off my nesting blankets anyway and pad quietly to the door.
“Blair, it’s me,” Piper says, knocking again. “I know you’re home.”
I sigh and open the door, meeting Piper’s concerned face. A paper grocery store bag is in one hand while she shifts on her feet.
“Hey,” she says softly. “I would have texted you, but I figured you would just tell me not to come over.”
“I’m fine,” I say quickly, and my best friend raises an eyebrow.
“No, babe, you’re not.”
I shake my head.
