Our ability to sense Omega’s needs almost effortlessly is common. The way our pheromones settle those around us, including other Alphas, can often be expected.
It’s not always the same for every Alpha, in the same way that our dominance is different, and so are our scents.
If I had to guess, Thor’s dominance control wasn’t always as strong as it is right now. Just like my scent manipulation wasn’t easy to control at first. However, there’s one thing we can do that no other Alphas can. Not even Omegas have this ability, and they’re the most scent-driven designation.
If someone has a compatible scent, most people, Alphas, Betas, and Omegas alike, will find it pleasant. It’ll draw us in. Help build that attraction.The stronger the compatibility, the stronger the pull. Heats help solidify a pack or destroy it if the scent connection just isn’t strong enough.
Can’t satisfy your Omega? You’re out.
Scent and pheromones too weak? Bye-bye.
But what if an Omega goes into heat, dragging their Alphas into a rut with them? Sometimes that scent compatibility is something stronger. A scent-matched mate.
The bond between scent matches is profound, unbreakable, and lifelong. Each other's perfect other half. Soulmates. Not realizing it until a heat prevents you from ending up bonded to someone you would otherwise hate if not for their scents.
This is where Thor and I are different. We’re the exceptions to the rule. Outside of a heat and without being in a rut, we can recognize our scent matches. If you’re not a dense fool, anyway.
In my defense, it’s been a chaotic and intense few days.
Dream’s scent was the strongest, most intoxicating thing I’ve ever smelled. I ignored that at first, but now the truth is undeniable.
Dream is my scent match. My mate.
We were made for each other, fates sealed before we ever even met.
And we aren’t the only ones meant to share this bond.
Dream is curled into my chest, but she’s pressed against Apollo’s back so fully you’d think they were glued together. His scent hits my system differently. He’s not an Omega, and he doesn’t have slick that begs me to fucking knot him until he’s calling me his baby daddy.
But it sure does smell like he’s fucking mine.
You can stab me any way you want and any time you want. Just as soon as I burn this city down for you, baby.
I cough, swallowing the dark growl working its way out of my chest before I disturb the Omegas.
If he wasn’t meant to be mine, then he wouldn’t like my scent. Thor warned me to keep it locked up so he wouldn’t lose his shit, after trying to convince the others to dispose of me. Then Beau needed me. He didn’t even flinch when the Omegawas in his arms, covered in me. Now he’s lying so close, only an Omega separating us, with his back to me.
Some part of him trusts me. Bet he has those daggers on him right now. How do I get him to press one to my throat?
“Apollo,” Thor grunts, not frustrated exactly; he just wants the Alpha to calm down and let his instincts do the work. Not the panic his racing heart and no doubt racing thoughts are causing.
Hawthorne is a good Alpha. Strong. He’s known Dream for a long time. By now he must know who she is to him and what’s currently happening in this bed. He has to see it. The reason we feel overwhelmingly compelled to protect and comfort Beau when we haven’t even gotten a hit of his real scent under all the chemicals? Or why he seems to be burning through them at an alarming rate.
The first night in this room should’ve been the first hint for me. Scott texted me for an update, and I spent three hours fucking enraged. Telling him anything about his son felt like a fucking betrayal. I couldn’t understand it or work out why I was losing my shit. Then her screams filled the air.
I’ve never moved so fast in my fucking life as I did then, all because Dream was having a nightmare, but even as she was clawing her way out of a deep sleep, her scent begged me to bite her. It felt like I was losing my mind. Like I was under a spell. Stupidly, I jumped to the conclusion that she must be manipulating Beau. Manipulating me.
I’ll make it up to her with orgasms and chocolate. Ice cream, roses, and everything she could ever need to build the perfect nests. A place where Beau can be safe. Where he can finally be himself without fear. Where Apollo can learn to trust himself and us. I’ll have to add a knife room to the list of necessities.
A knife nest—fuck, I’m a genius.
They’ll never want for anything again. Not money, or safety, or a place to call home. They have me now, and I’ll give them the fucking world. Hell, I’ll set it on fire, if that’s what they need.
For now, Thor and I will show Apollo how to care for these Omegas the way they need. I don’t need a heat to know I’ll kill for them. That was a no-brainer the first night. All this does is help me understand why I feel for four strangers in less than a fucking day.
They’re meant to be my home, too.
“Close your eyes, and think of somewhere safe. A place real, or imagined, where no one can hurt you. Where nothing bad ever happens.” My voice rumbles with my purr. Even though I can’t see Apollo’s face, I know he listens when Thor meets my eyes over his head and nods.
