Hers, however, is blissfully uncovered. All I can smell in the air is the tart sweetness of fresh apple slices drizzled in thick honey. For the first time in days my alpha is calm, content in knowing our omega is here with us where we can see and protect her.
“Professor Carter can be a real dick but he’s all bark, no bite. Don’t be afraid to stand up to him if you need to.” I warn her. I wish I didn’t have to warn her at all. I’m not sure what is going on with our pack lead lately, but it’s both concerning me and pissing me off.
She shrugs, one pink-nailed hand clutching the strap of her pink backpack. Paxton was obviously right about her favorite color being pink, and suddenly the black and blue decor in my room feels like the most boring choice in the world. Maybe I’ll pick up a pink blanket for the bed…
“At first I thought maybe he wasn’t so bad. I mean, I missed the first week of class and that would probably frustrate anyone. But until yesterday he hadn’t technically been outright rude to me. And then he snapped at me in front of people and I guess it just it solidified the feeling that he really doesn’t like me. I getreallyanxious around him, like if I do one thing wrong it’ll be the end of the world, and it makes my stomach hurt. He subbed for one of my elective classes in Chapel Hall yesterday, and that feeling was amplified by, like, a thousand in that tiny space. Especially after he snapped at me.”
I didn’t know he was covering a class over there, but what she’s describing about her anxiety makes sense. That’s definitely her omega reacting to Jude’s alpha. He’s her scent match, but because he religiously covers his scent and takes rut-blockers, she won’t ever know that unless he tells her or one of us slips up. But the face that he was outright rude to her? That’s not the Jude I know, and I’ll be talking to him about it as soon as I can. “Can I ask you for a favor?” She looks at me, and I place a reassuring hand on her back. “If Carter makes you uncomfortable or says something out of line again, will you tell me or my brother?”
She quirks a brow. “Are y’all friends with him or something?”
I offer a half shrug, not wanting to outright lie. “Or something. Just humor me?”
“Okay, I’ll tell one of you if anything happens again.”
“Great. Now let’s get you that book, little flower.”
I may not be able to keep eyes on her all the time, but I can make damn sure my asshole pack lead isn’t making our girl uncomfortable. Because I know Jude Carter. One day soon he’s going to snap out of whatever’s wrong with him and realize he’s being a dumbass, and I don’t want things to be too far gone with Posey for himto get back in her good graces. Jude isn’t himself right now, but we’ll have his back until he is.
Parker smells like salted caramel. It’s another surprisingly sweet scent, but the salt in his is strong, much stronger than his twin’s. Now that I’ve been with Parker longer than just a few minutes, it’s very obvious how different he is from his brother. Where Paxton is sweet to the bone and quiet because he’s a little bit shy, Parker is quiet because he’s observing everyone around him.
There’s a stillness to him that I don’t notice in his brother, like Parker is firm in any decision he makes and doesn’t want or need anyone else’s opinion on the matter. Paxton is confident in his own way, but there’s a frenetic energy around him that highlights his every emotion. It would be interesting to see how they interact when they’re together.
“So did you and Paxton grow up around here?” I didn’t really spend enough time with Paxton to learn much about him, and I’m curious about these sexy twins. We’ve migrated to a small private study room on the first floor that I booked this morning. It’s just big enough for a tiny table and chairs, and with how late it is, it feels very intimate.
Parker stretches, showing off a strip of toned stomach where his black polo shirt rides up. The all black uniform looks criminally good against his angelic looks, and the silver hoop through his nostrilreally amps it up. My mouth waters with the urge to lick him, but I ignore it. Now is not the time or the place to melt into a horny puddle of omega.
“Sort of. We grew up in Maryland with our parents and younger sister but once we came out here to go to college our parents fell in love with Sunday Harbor and decided to move out here with us.”
“Wow. And your sister was okay with that? How old is she?”
His smile is full of pride as he talks about his sister, and it endears me to him even more. I had my cousin, but I always wished I had an older brother to tag along with around the ranch. “She just turned seventeen, and selfishly I hope she chooses to go here for school so we can keep an eye on her.”
“I always wished for siblings growing up,” I sigh wistfully. “My cousin Maisie is a year older than me and we grew up together, but when she would go home at night it was just me and my parents, and I don’t know. I guess that was kind of lonely. We lived out in the middle of nowhere so it’s not like there were other kids around to play with, you know? Your sister is lucky to have both of you.”
He laughs, the sound like gravel. “I appreciate that, even though I doubt she thinks so most of the time. I actually think we’re closer now than we were growing up. Probably because we don’t live together.” He turns to me, dropping his chin into his hand. “But enough about me. Tell me about you. You’re obviously not from here.”
I flutter my eyelashes dramatically, turning my accent up to eleven. “Why, whatever would make you think that?”
“You’re such a brat.” Parker smirks, but there’s a distinctly affectionate look in his eyes that makes me flush all over. My panties are completely soaked, and I can only hope they’re as effective at blocking scent as the package claimed.
“I was born and raised in Georgia in the tiniest little one-horse town, and I miss it every day.” A wash of homesicknesshits suddenly, and it takes considerable effort to stop myself from tearing up.
“Do you regret moving so far away for school?” There’s no judgement in his tone, only curiosity.
My mind wanders to Paxton and McKenzie as my eyes roam over the handsome alpha in front of me. A week ago, my answer might have been yes. But now? That feeling from my very first day on campus, like I’m right where I’m meant to be, comes back stronger than ever, and I shake my head, repeating my thoughts out loud. “I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”
Parker’s breath hitches and he leans forward, scent getting richer as it fills the room. One smooth, long-fingered hand cups my cheek. Rich, salty caramel invades my senses and clouds my mind as my panties lose the battle against my slick, filling the air with my own apples and honey. “Can I kiss you, Posey?”
I don’t think, just nod. And then his lips are on mine in the sweetest, softest kiss. I went fromnever been kissedtokissed by two different guysin the same week, and it feels incredible. My omega pushes forward in my mind, begging me to get closer. And for once, I don’t fight my instincts.
I scramble into his lap, our lips never parting as my legs straddle his muscular thighs. Parker is built similarly to his twin, but there’s a bulk to Parker that tells me he likely spends a fair amount of time in the gym. He groans into the kiss, a rattling, rusty purr starting up in his chest.
“Fuck, Posey. You’re killing me here,” he pants.
A high pitched whine rings out around us, and it takes several seconds before I realize the sound is coming fromme. My body is on fire, like someone cranked the temperature up in the library. It almost feels like…
Parker curses, hands cupping my cheeks. “You’re burning up, flower. How can I help?”
