I’m not sure why I trust him so much, but I’m learning that Major is as hard as he is just. He has something about him. Something solid that makes me believe that as long as I’m under his care, I’ll be safe.
“I met with Jacinta last night after you went to bed, and we agreed the best thing is to hold a town meeting and tell them the news.”
I’m ripped away from my thoughts, and I stop eating. “Hold a town meeting? Isn’t that too much?”
“It’s the right thing to do,” she guarantees.
Right or not, it’s intimidating to say the least. My eyes find Major and Derrick. They haven’t said anything throughout their mother's speech, and I need to know what they think. Unfortunately, their lips are sealed, and I rest my back into the chair, feeling a little overwhelmed with the whole situation.
“They’ll inevitably ask to inform the unmated packs to come back and meet you, so I think it's best to hold a mating ceremony.”
“What?”
“Mom.” Derrick shakes his head, but his mom slices him a look that steals the words from his mouth.
“I really think this is the best way,” Anne continues. “You don't want to be overwhelmed when packs start coming out of the woodwork to introduce themselves. This way, they can all come at once and try to scent-match in a controlled environment.”
My head swims. “Can we walk through the scent-matching again?”
Anne waves my concern away. “You don't need to worry. It happens naturally, but Alphas are Alphas, and they will try showing off.”
“They want you to feel happy if a scent-match happens,” one of the dads explains. I don’t really know their names. “So you're gonna be spending time with them, they are going to try to woo you.”
I’m not sure if I like the idea of a bunch of strangers trying to woo me.
My gaze is back to Derrick, still craving for his input, but his face is closed off, jaw taut, and knuckles white as he holds on to the counter behind him. He looks so deliciously masculine like this, my mind drifts off to the time by the stream. I shouldn’t be thinking about it, but Derrick’s cock is imprinted under my eyelids.
This time, I don’t need them to tell me I’m perfuming.
I recognize my own fragrance in the air. Before, I didn’t think much of it. I wasn’t even connecting that it came from me, but now it’s so obvious, I feel stupid for never noticing.
Derrick’s eyes flick quickly to mine, and he finds me watching him. He smirks slowly, and I’m so embarrassed I yelp and look away.
Massaging my temple, I will tell myself to stop being embarrassed.
“Can everyone—” I clear my throat. “Smell me all the time?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “Just Alphas. Alphas have a sensitive nose. Omegas pick up on emotional reactions, so most of us understand the situation even if our nose is crap. If you ask me, that’s a far more important skill.”
I nod, a little relieved.
“Besides, no one can scent you as good as your scent-match pack, Veda,” Major says, and my stomach flips when I look at him. “You don’t need to worry.”
“And how can I tell that I have not—”
This is embarrassing beyond belief, but everyone here seems very certain that I have not scent-matched with the three cowboys. And why is that? If anyone asks me, I feel like we are checking every item on the list. Can scent me?Check. Makes me horny even when I shouldn’t?Check.
Anne shakes her head. “Scent-matching is powerful. It means your scent is literally intertwining with them and becoming one. It becomes unbearable to the Omega to be without her Alphas. That need kicksoff a heat, and as soon as she’s knotted, everything changes. They are now one. Your scent is still very yours. Right?”
Every Alpha in the vicinity nods, and Anne turns to me with pity in her eyes. “Sorry.”
“No, no. I mean, it doesn’t…”
I trail off and finish my breakfast quickly. Still averting my eyes, I jump to grab my things, ready to get out of town as soon as this meeting ends.
The town hall is the biggest building in the township. It looks grand from the outside, with tall windows and stained glass. But from the inside, it’s rather practical, only lined with a few long benches and a small stage at the front. By the time we arrive, every single seat is taken, and suddenly, the simple structure looks oppressive when every eye turns to look at me. My steps falter, and I step back, accidentally hitting a chest.
“Keep going. You’re okay.”
