The trip is both the shortest and longest drive I’ve ever experienced. Normally I’d put some classical music on to calm my nerves, but sometimes there’s too much going on in my mind for me to think clearly.
So I drive, my mind racing, nothing but the silence of the car to calm my racing thoughts.
What if…what if she’s my true scent match too?
Could I do it? Could I be in a pack with Teddy, Maverick, and Brennan?
I’ve never said a single word to the omega, but I know without a doubt that for her, I woulddo anything.
When I pull up to the cabin, I spot Maverick’s Range Rover in the driveway, and the lights are on inside. I frown, assessing the property with a discerning eye. Who exactly does this cabin belong to?
“Oi!” Teddy calls from the front door before bounding down the steps to meet me at the car. “We go’ta talk, mate.”
“No, we don’t,” I shake my head, holding out his duffel bag to him. He grabs it, his eyes catching on the second duffel on my shoulder.
His face flashes in understanding. “Thateasy, innit?” he asks, tilting his head.
I shrug. “Look. Even if I’m not a…atruescent match like all of you, I’d like to meet her. Get to know her. See if…” I sigh, running a hand through my hair, jostling my glasses slightly. Time to come clean. “I don’t know, Ted. I didn’t say anything before, but…I saw it.”
He frowns. “Saw wot?”
“The night of her party…your mic and camera were still on when you took your smoke break.”
He freezes. Then helaughs. Full on belly laughs like I just told him the world’s funniest joke, while I stand there, dumbstruck. I thought he’d be pissed. At the very least, annoyed that I kept it a secret for so long. When he calms down, shaking his head, he crosses his arms. “You’re a right hypocrite, you know that? Secre’ly pinin’ for my girl while givin’ me shite.”
My jaw tightens, but I can’t even argue.
He’s right.
So I shove past him, making the alpha chuckle again as he bounds up the porch stairs behind me.
“Ethan,” Brennan greets as I open the front door. He and Mav are sitting in the kitchen of the deceptively large cabin, in the middle of what looks to be a tense conversation. His eyescatch on my duffel, his brows shooting up. “You’re…staying?”
I need to answer him, but…there’s a whiff of something in the air.
Sweet, a little spicy, warm and…mine.
Following my nose, I walk straight past the alphas who immediately scramble after me, calling out in confusion.
Teddy didn’t tell them.
But…he might not have to, considering they should be ripping the head off any male approaching their injured omega so soon after finding her. Based on the fact I’m nearly sprinting down the hall, head intact, they can sense it too.
The scent is strongest outside the door at the end of the hallway. Throwing the door open, my heart stalls when I see the small figure laid up in the huge bed. She has an IV in her hand hooked up to a hanging bag of saline, and she’s surrounded by a mountain of pillows and blankets.
Mine, mine, mine.
It hurts to look at her. To see the dark circles under her eyes. The bruises forming at her throat.
My alpha wants to rage. Wants to drive back to Pack Caruso and destroy them once and for all.
But more than that…my alpha wants to be here. With our mate.
Mymate.
I’ve heard stories of the way the true scent match takes hold. How it makes you forget reason, fills you with lust, and urges you to take your mate in any way possible.
But right now…my instincts are screaming at me to protect. To destroy anyone who might harm her.
