I want to know what kind of person smells like this and what it means that I keep pressing their shirt to my face like it's the only thing keeping me from floating away.
"Yes," I say.
Arden smiles. It's a different smile than his usual professional warmth. More personal. Like he's been waiting for that answer for a while.
He stands. "Let's go tell the others."
The living room goes quiet when we walk in.
Alex is in the armchair. Malcolm is on the couch with one arm stretched along the back of it. Finn is on the floor with his back against the coffee table and his laptop open, which he closes when he sees Arden's expression.
"I'm taking Vee to meet him," Arden says simply. Like it’s a fact that's already been decided.
Finn's face breaks into a slow smile.
Alex and Malcolm are both on their feet before Arden finishes the sentence.
"It's too soon," Malcolm says.
"She's not ready." Alex is more measured but no less firm. "And he might not be either. If it goes wrong—"
"It could ruin everything," Malcolm finishes. "She's barely had time to breathe. She doesn't need another—"
"It will be fine." Arden holds up a hand. The authority in it is enough to stop the room. "I've been working with him for months. He's ready. You both know he would never harm an omega." A pause. "Especially her."
"You don't know that," Malcolm says. "Not for certain. Not in a new environment with someone he doesn't—"
"Malcolm." Arden is patient but final. "I know him better than anyone in this room, even you. He's been wanting to do this since he found out. He’s ready."
Malcolm's mouth tightens and he looks at me. His expression isn't quite angry but is adjacent to it. Protectiveness wound so tight it has nowhere to go.
Finn uncrosses his legs and stands. He goes to Malcolm and puts a hand on his arm.
"Hey." He’s quiet, just for Malcolm. "You know how much she likes the shirts."
Malcolm looks at him.
"It's going to be okay," Finn says. "And we have to know. The sooner we know, the better. Because what matters most—" He glances at me briefly. "What matters most is that Vee ends up somewhere she's actually happy. Right?"
Malcolm is quiet.
The muscle in his jaw tightens once. Then releases.
He nods slow and reluctant but real.
Alex has calmed. The initial resistance has given way to calculation. He looks at Arden. "Should we come?"
Arden shakes his head. "The fewer alphas around, the less overwhelmed they'll both be at introduction. If it goes well, I'll bring him back. Only if they both want that."
Alex holds his gaze, then nods. "Okay."
Malcolm still looks like a man being asked to do something against his better judgment but accepting it anyway. He turns to me and the expression shifts. It goes softer around the edges like it does when he forgets to keep the armor up.
"You don't have to go," he says. "If you don't want to."
"I know." I look at him. "I want to."
He exhales and nods.
