She crossed the room and perched herself on the arm of my chair before reaching down to trace her fingers along my shoulder.
"I've barely seen you all day," she murmured. The robe fell off her shoulder, revealing what seemed to be an extremely expensive set of lingerie underneath. Okay. So Arabella definitely wanted something.
"You saw me this morning," I said, and her hand wandered across my shoulder, down to my chest, lingering as she leaned in. I could smell the irresistible perfume on her neck, the one I’d been so eager to smell again, the one that, while I still loved it, felt slightly hollow.
"That doesn't count. I want more of you,” She whispered, her lips next to my ear as she moved to straddle my leg, her robe opening to reveal just a scant bra and panties. Her hands moved across my body, and though she looked like seduction personified, I reached for her hand before it went too low.
"Arabella," I warned, and she immediately looked up.
"Hm?"
"Can you do something for me?" I asked, and she smiled, nodding.
"Anything for you, baby.” The answer came so quickly it barely sounded considered. I leaned back slightly in my chair.
"Take off the replica." Her smile froze as shock flashed across her face.
"What?" she asked, her voice a pitch too high.
"The perfume replica," I repeated. Arabella’s eyes widened. I’d clocked it when we smelled it at the launch party - yes, it was the same fragrance from the gala, only stronger. I was able to smell the notes fully, and it was the most beautiful fragrance I could ever have imagined. But there was something missing - the primal pheromones that also came out from an omega’s glands, the ones that made a beta want to care for one, or drew an alpha into a rut when the omega was close to heat. There should have been notes of anxiety and fear, along with neediness in the perfume when that happened. I figured it out later when everything calmed down. No, Arabella hadn’t expressed that perfume from her scent glands - she had sprayed it. Intentionally.
"I don't know what you mean," she stammered.
"Yes, you do." The words came out gently, but I didn't look away. “I just want to smell you. Not the replica. Your own perfume. From your glands.” I said, and she laughed nervously.
"Elias, you're being weird." She said, her body now stiff as she sat on my lap.
"You clearly want to bond. I just want to know what you smell like, directly from your own body. It's a gorgeous fragrance - but I can tell it’s the replica. It doesn't carry natural pheromones. I can recognize the difference." I held her gaze steadily. "I just want to smell your real scent."
Immediately, she looked away. A strange feeling formed in my stomach.
"I've told you before that I'm shy about that." She argued.
"I know. But you’re not shy about coming in here to seduce me, or asking to be bonded.” I said, and she looked away.
"You can smell me as much as you want after we’re bonded." She said, a little too quickly. It didn’t make sense. Most omegas guarded their scent around strangers, but we weren't strangers. We were supposed to be her future mates. We were supposed to be the people she trusted most. She wanted us to smell her replica perfume, and she could have easily expressed it naturally.
"Arabella,” I said, my voice nearly begging. “Why can’t you share your perfume with me?”
She withdrew, her demeanor suddenly aloof.
"I'm not comfortable with it. Not until we’re bonded." She crossed her arms, looking away. That was enough for me. I stood up, picking her up and placing her on her feet as I walked toward the door. Arabella looked at me with disbelief.
"Where are you going?" She demanded.
"For a walk." I left before she could stop me.
The moment I stepped into the hallway, I felt a headache forming behind my eyes. I had to know more. I needed answers to all the things that Arabella wasn’t telling me. All of this was too rushed, and such serious decisions like bonding should never be rushed.
But I knew who would talk. Ivy had been acting erratic and nonsensical. If she really thought her match profile had been stolen, she would have brought it up much sooner. Yet, despite everything, I felt like she might have some answers. She always seemed like there was more she wanted to say. And I needed to know directly from her what was going on.
I’d tried calling Pack Carrington to ask about her, especially after the last dramatic blow-up. I wanted to know if they would get her help - but they continuously brushed me off. Clara said they would deal with Ivy as a family, and I wouldn’t have to see her again. Hunter had even alpha barked her to stay away from all of us. Now, I had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right.
Soon, I found myself driving. I didn’t bother calling - I’d shown up there so often now that the security at the gate waved methrough. When I pulled up, the property felt strangely empty. The usual activity that accompanied a wealthy family household seemed completely absent, and I didn’t see any of their cars around. A member of the staff answered the door.
"I need to speak to Ivy. It’s urgent.” I said. The man hesitated, his eyes widening.
“I’m sorry, but she’s not here.” He started to say, but I took a step inside. He held his hands up in an attempt to stop me.
