“Don’t think you can get out of spilling what you did this weekend by sweet-talking my scones. Especially since I can scent an alpha on you.”
The last bite of scone froze halfway to my mouth. Summer was focused on kneading the dough in front of her, so I risked a quick sniff of my arm. I’d spent the past few days plastered to the stolen flannel, but I didn’t think the scent would stick to my skin outside my nest. But there it was, a gentle whisper of pine, simultaneously soothing and arousing. I swallowed down an omega whine.
When I looked up, Summer was staring at me with pursed lips. “Spill.”
“You have to promise not to judge me.”
“Lucy, when have I ever judged you?”
“Umm, how about that time I told you my dream was to be a circus acrobat? Or when I put whipped cream in my coffee? Or last year when I wore low-rise jeans and you said you’d rather go around pants-less than ever wear them again?”
Her lips twitched. “Yeah, well, that’s because you deserved it. I promise not to judge you this time.” She returned to her dough, weighing it out on a kitchen scale. “Unless what you did warrants judgment.”
I snorted a laugh and reached for another scone. Summer tried to swat my hand away, but I was too fast. I scooted farther down the counter so I was out of reach. “I need to make sure it’s worthy of a spot on the menu.”
Summer tapped the palm of her hand with a wooden spoon in a slightly menacing gesture. “Start talking.”
Every word fell like a stone, scraping against my throat as I forcedout all my fears and worries about my life. For all her teasing, she didn’t mock me as I described the disastrous camping trip, the alpha who instantly stole my heart, and the feeling of rejection I’d been left with. Once I finished, I felt lighter.
Summer grabbed my hand. Her skin was slightly sticky from the dough, but I didn’t care. My hormone condition meant I craved touch even more than the average omega.
“I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time with your birthday. You should have told me.”
I shrugged, my eyes fixed on the uneaten scone clutched in my hand. “I was embarrassed. I should be stronger than this. I have such a good life, and it’s not like I need a pack to function.”
Her eyes softened. “No, but it’s okay to want one.”
“Too bad no one wants me.” I said it as a…well, not quite a joke, but my tone was meant to be lighthearted and self-deprecating. But then my lip trembled.
Summer threw her arms around me and I hugged her back, breathing in and out slowly to stop from bursting into tears.
“I’m going to hunt down your fuck-boy exes. They won’t know what hit them.”
Maybe if you had been a better omega, you would have kept their interest…
No. Absolutely not, stupid inner voice.
I choked on a watery laugh. “It’s almost a pity they moved. We only got to egg their cars that one time.”
The luxury sports cars they gave more care and attention to than they ever gave to me.
“They didn’t stand a chance against the curse of the Beaufort House.”
“Sometimes I feel like I’m the one who’s cursed.”
Summer pulled away, moving her hands to my face and squishing my cheeks together. “You are not cursed. You’re basically a Disney princess, and the reason it’s been hard for you to find a pack is because there aren’t many alphas good enough to be worthy of you.”
“I’m not sure about that,” I sniffed.
“Well, I am. And look, your presence summons all the animals.”
Just then, something brushed against my leg. I looked down to find Felix. I patted my lap and he jumped up, snagging a bite of the scone before I could stop him.
Not that I would have, but I at least would have verbalized some sort of protest so the next time James interrogated me about our mayor’s diet, I could tell him I’d done my very best.
I shoved the rest of my slightly smooshed scone in my mouth before Felix could polish it off.
“So…are you going to see Wilder again?”
