Coming out to my family was a huge challenge. My granddad and father were never afraid to make shitty comments while I was growing up and I already had a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Every time they saw me they’d ask if I was “one of those omegas.” I knew the moment I told them I found a male alpha, I’d be written off completely.
Roxie’s hand found mine as the conversation shifted to family. I didn’t bother to hold back, giving her the condensed version of my ex and why he left.
She didn’t offer false reassurance, just silent support that I appreciated more than she could ever realize.
It was an old wound, but I swear it felt brand new every time I thought about it.
“My ex wanted me to come out… so I did. Then he was gone the next day. My family cut me off and I had no one else,” I concluded. Years ago, I couldn’t have told that story out loud. Now, I barely flinched. I wasn’t sure what that said about me.
“I’m so sorry, Rylan,” she said quietly.
I waved it off, refusing to give any more of my heart to the matter.
“It’s in the past,” I said, as if it was no big deal.
As if my heart wasn’t constantly breaking.
I’d become so guarded and jaded since then. But Roxie had me opening up without even trying. She was perfect in so many ways, and I found that I didn’t want to hold back with her despite what I’d said.
Her expression softened as if she could see the change in me.
Mac stopped by to check on us before hurrying away, leaving us to sample the buffet he’d left. We ate in silence for a bit, just the occasional comment on how good it was.
Until I finally had to address the elephant in the room to move past this bullshit barrier I’d put between us where it didn’t belong.
“We’re scent-matched,” I said, looking over at her.
She nodded, tilting her head to the side as if waiting for me to say the words she wanted to hear.
“Which means we likely share an alpha and a pack. It’s complicated with the fact that my ex was also my scent-match.”
“If he was, then how could he just walk away,” she said, looking hurt on my behalf. How could I even explain the complicated mess my former relationship was?
It wasn’t accusatory. She was trying to understand, and I wish I had a better explanation for her.
“I have a feeling there’s a pack out there for us. One that won’t leave when things get complicated. One we find worth the risk.”
My cheeks warmed with shame.
As much as I wanted to blame him for his part in leaving without a word and breaking my heart the way he did, we’d had so many conversations before then about how he wanted to love me out loud. That he wasn’t the secretive type.
I just thought that he understood my family and what I was up against. That it would take me time. That I’d be worth the wait.
It hurt so much to realize I wasn’t enough to make him stay and fight for us.
“Hey,” she said gently.
The fact that she could read me so easily already should probably have scared me. But Roxie was different.
And this time, I didn’t want to fuck it up. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life alone and heartbroken. I wanted to accept my scent-match for what it was.
Mine.
She knew my regrets and secret shame, and she wasn’t running away from it.
In fact, she was smiling over at me like it was all going to be okay. That whatever happens, would happen, and we’d face it together.
