He falls into step beside me, matching his long strides to mine. “Nasty weather out there. Do you have a long drive ahead of you?”
Something about his presence makes me uneasy, but I can’t pinpoint why. I’m not exactly scared of him. It’s more like my body is too aware of him, and way too responsive. It’s unsettling.
“Not far,” I lie, keeping my eyes fixed on the automatic doors ahead. They slide open with a soft whoosh, revealing the gray parking lot in front of us. The rain has finally slowed to a drizzle, but clouds cover the sky, making it a dreary day.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” he says immediately, and there’s no stopping him. Even though I’m trying to block out his alpha effect on me, my heart still beats faster.
“Fine,” I concede, too tired to argue. As we’re walking to my car, I suddenly notice my scent getting stronger. The smell of cherry blossom is floating around me.
Oh god, this is so embarrassing.Can he smell me?
I become acutely aware of my own scent. The scent blockers must be wearing off after the rain, or maybe it’s his proximity triggering my omega body’s natural response.
We reach my car, and I fumble with my keys, suddenly nervous.Will he just leave me here?Part of me hopes so. But another part, a part I don’t want to acknowledge, wants him to stay.
He opens the car door for me and gestures for me to go inside as he pops the trunk open, taking charge.
“Let me help you put those bags away,” he says, walking around the car while holding all the bags as I get inside the car.
I take slow, deep breaths while sitting in the driver’s seat. I’m never going to see him again after today anyway, I tell myself.
“I’m Drake, by the way,” he says, closing the trunk and walking back around. The wind ruffles his hair, blowing strands across those mesmerizing green eyes. Suddenly, he pauses before closing my door, his nostrils flaring as he inhales.
My stomach tightens, and I can feel slick start to seep from my pussy.
The thin material of his hoodie does little to hide the strength in his arms and chest. I catch myself staring and quickly look away.
“And you are?” he prompts, his voice gentle but insistent.
“Francine,” I answer, not entirely sure why I’m giving him my real name. I should be more cautious, especially with an alpha this attractive. He looks like trouble.
“Francine,” he repeats, and something about the way my name sounds in his mouth makes my knees weak. “That’s a pretty name.”
I put on my seat belt, ready to thank him one final time and drive away from this unsettling encounter.
But something changes in his expression.
His eyes harden, his lips pressing into a thin line. For a second, fear spikes through me. Maybe he’s not as friendly as I thought he was.
Then he reaches across me, his arm brushing mine, and picks up the tear-stained napkin I’d left on the passenger seat. He holds it gently, and I realize with horror that he can smell my distress, my grief.
“Oh ew that’s dirty,” I say lightly, trying to grab it from him.
“You’ve been crying,” he says, his voice low and concerned.
My heart hammers in my chest. How do I explain? I don’t want to talk about Mother, about the funeral, about any of it. Especially not with a stranger, no matter how attractive.
“It’s… it’s nothing,” I stutter finally. “Just a bad day.” I really don’t want him feeling sorry for me, and I haven’t had time to process anything.
His chest rises and falls with deep breaths, and there’s something almost pained in his expression. It’s the protective instinct of an alpha wolf, I remind myself.
“Look, I know it’s not my place, Francine,” he says, his voice softer now, “but whatever it is, I hope it gets better. Everything will get better.”
Suddenly, he unexpectedly reaches out and touches the side of my face, his fingers so gentle against my skin that I almost lean into the contact. The warmth of his hand is like a balm, and for a second, I want to cry again from the simple comfort of being touched with such care.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“If you ever need anything,” he continues, withdrawing his hand and reaching into his pocket. “Anything at all, call me.”
