“Oh, uh… I like to bake all sorts of things. Lately, I’m really into bread making.”
“Ben loves baking and cooking,” Theo said. “He keeps us from starving. Cam and I are rubbish at preparing meals.”
We kept the small talk going for a while. Ben told me about his favorite recipes, and they told me about their home in the historic district. I had only been to that area of the city once with Sam, but it was charming. I had even thought about how amazing it would be to live in one of the gorgeous old brick homes.
Finally, the clock in the room showed that we had been talking for an hour. The longer I was surrounded by the swirl of alpha pheromones, the stronger the urge was to curl up with Cam, Theo, and Ben and make sure I was drenched in their scents. I was already out of control with this entire situation, and now it felt like my body was betraying me, urging me to trust these alphas just because they smelled good.
Ben’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. “Josie, I hope you know how special we think you are, and we hope you choose us.”
“We know you don’t really know us yet,” Theo added, “But we would love to get to know you more and would be honored if you chose us as your pack.”
“We promise to protect and care for you,” Cam added.
Their words sounded sincere, but I knew they were just putting on a good show. I should have been grateful that they were willing to take me on as a favor to Amirah, but my heart ached with the reality that this was just another situation where I wasn’t really wanted. They had been a pack for fifteen years without bonding an omega, and there was no reason for them to change their minds now. I was defective—too fat, too outspoken, too mucheverything. There was no question that I would choose them, and I hoped they wouldn’t grow to resent me for becoming their burden. Maybe over time, we could become friends? Or perhaps I could at least be useful and clean their house? I tried not to think about other ways they might find meuseful, holding onto hope that these alphas were as kind as they appeared.
I didn’t know how to respond to their sweet words, so I gave a little nod.
My legs were unsteady as I stood to move towards the door. I swayed, reaching out to grab hold of a chair to steady myself, but before I could, Cam’s arm wrapped around me. I leaned into him automatically, my face brushing his chest. His touch sent shivers through me, and I had to stop myself from pressing my body flush with his.
My slick had never come in after years of being on suppressants, but I felt it now for the first time, dampness in my underwear and a warm burning sensation rippling from my core into my stomach. The alphas jerked to a stop, and I knew they could scent my arousal. My inner omega was thrilled—she wanted the alphas to know how they were affecting us, but the fact that they could scent my arousal felt invasive.
“Sorry,” I muttered, looking down. Cam reached out and gently grasped my chin, lifting my head until I was gazing into his dark brown eyes.
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
Theo peered down at me with concern. He tentatively ran his hand through my hair as if he was scared to touch me but knew I needed comfort. The gesture made me want to purr. Ben, by far the most relaxed and exuberant of all of us, pulled me into a quick hug, causing Cam to growl. I blushed at their affection that left me craving more, secretly pleased that their scents were now on my clothes. When I got into bed tonight, it would be like I was surrounded by them.
Theo sighed, his eyes lingering on my face before he moved to open the door, his lips down-turned as if he didn’t want to end our time together.
As the four of us exited the room, I saw Dave standing outside the door, his expression hard and protective.
“You’re needed in the meeting room to debrief from the interviews,” he said.
Dread shot through me. I did not want to face my parents, the director, or anyone associated with the DC. I felt myself wilting—I desperately needed to be somewhere enclosed and safe. A soft whine escaped my lips, and I curled into myself.
Ben, Cam, and Theo moved towards me simultaneously, drawn in by my distress. I had trained myself not to whine to avoid attracting unwanted attention, but my omega wanted these alphas’ concern and protection. As they closed in, my chest tightened. I cowered away from them without realizing what I was doing, and they all stopped.
“Josie.” Ben’s voice was an agonized whisper that almost brought tears to my eyes.
How could I be scared for them to be near me and also hurt that they stepped away?
I gathered myself enough to lift my head. They looked deeply concerned, and I could scent their distress and anger. Were they upset at my reaction? I opened my mouth to offer them an explanation for my behavior, to thank them for being here for me,something. But no words would come out. Instead, I turned towards Dave.
“Let’s get this over with, I guess,” I said quietly.
I followed Dave across the atrium, my boots clicking against the marble floor. I looked over my shoulder to where Theo, Ben, and Cam stood, their eyes locked on me. They looked devastatingly sad. My lip trembled, and I turned away, overwhelmed with the distinctwrongnessof leaving them behind.
* * *
Dave stopped in the middle of the hallway in front of two large wooden doors. My muscles tensed as I prepared myself to face whoever was waiting for me inside. He gave me a little nod and opened the door, gesturing for me to enter.
My stomach lurched when I saw Designation Center director, Marshall Whiteburn, seated at the table with my parents and Amirah. I didn’t know him well, having only met him in passing at various functions my parents put on, but he and Glen Jacoby worked closely together. I had often seen them walking down the halls together at the DA. He met my gaze with a sneer, and my stomach churned. He looked at me in the same predatory way Glen always had.
Amirah smiled softly at me, the only person in the room expressing any warmth. My parents were all wearing disgruntled expressions, radiating a distinctly pissed-off energy.
“Sit down, Josephine,” Jericho snarled, infusing his command with an alpha bark.
Visceral hatred born out of years of abuse filled me. How dare he use his bark on me here, forcing my omega to respond to his command?
