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Most of my website scouring had been about the people involved, and I had apparently entirely skipped over whatever the hell this was.
“What the heck are those?”
“Scent packs. They’ll help you find an alpha for your heat.”
“How is this supposed to help? Shouldn’t there be a visual catalog or something?”
My mind flipped through high school biology lessons. It was pretty common knowledge that scenting was a big thing between alphas and omegas, but I didn’t want to choose my first sexual partner based on that. It was weird.
What about personality? Book preferences? Life goals?
I whimpered as the panic gave a fresh surge.
Okay.
Deep breaths.
I inhaled sharply, held it for a moment, and let it flow out. It did abso-fucking-lutely nothing.
“You’ll see whoever you choose based on this,” Muriel assured. “We used to start with visuals, but often the matches weren’t optimally compatible, so now we start with scent and go from there. You’ll know when you find one you like.”
I scrunched up my face, not believing her for a second. “If you say so.”
“I do.” Muriel handed me a canister. “Coffee beans. It’ll help cleanse your nose if you need a break. I’ll be down the hall, but if you need anything before I return, you can push the yellow button by the door.”
Then I was alone, clutching the coffee canister like a lifeline.
I indulged in a petulant foot stomp and a groan. “This is so dumb.”
I picked up the first container on the wall and pressed the button on top. It released a puff of air that smells like roses and wine. I shrugged and put it back, moving to the next, and then the next. My head swam from the plethora of scents, and I was reminded why I always avoided the perfume counters at the department stores. I made it through the entire first two shelves and hadn’t found anything special. They all smelled nice, but I didn’t really feel like meeting any of the alphas that each container represented, and none seemed any better than the others.
Maybe I’m broken…
It wasn’t the first time the idea had popped up, and while I liked myself most of the time, I still wrestled with the concept that maybe all my wishing to not be an omega had somehow ruined my ability to be a good one.
I reached for the next canister and pressed the button, sinking straight to my knees as a rush of sweet citrus and cloves flooded my senses. A wave of pleasure smacked into me like a bucket of ice water. “Jesus Christ on a cracker.”
I shoved the coffee canister up to my nose and inhaled several deep breaths to clear my head. Goosebumps covered me head to toe and my nipples poked against my T-shirt. “Excuse you.” I slapped my hands over them. They weren’t allowed to make public appearances.
I stared at the offending container for a moment before daring to pick it up again. I was already sitting on the floor, so at least I didn’t have to worry about my legs betraying me again. I pushed the button and it popped out another rush of sweet citrus and clove. Lust rippled down my spine and pooled between my thighs.
“God. What the fuck?” I pushed the button again and let out a low moan, warmth prickling over my skin. Why did it smell so fucking good?
The door opened and I flung the container away like I’d been caught huffing glue.
Muriel chuckled. “I see you’ve made a selection. Did you want to see if there are others you’re compatible with?”
Humiliation draped my shoulders like a lead cape. One embarrassment was plenty. “This one is fine.”
“Excellent.” Muriel retrieved the container and turned it over to look at the bottom. “Come, dear. Let’s put this code into the system and see who you chose.”
I followed at a sedate pace, both completely dreading and viscerally needing to see the face that matched the scent.
Muriel tapped away at her computer and turned the screen toward me. “You picked Sidney. He’s a delightful person and I think you’ll like him.”
I gaped at the image. Rippling muscles, dark brown eyes, chiseled jaw, wavy dark hair, and a smirk that made him look like the devil himself.
He was so hot. Unfairly, magnificently hot. I wasn’t equipped to deal with anyone that beautiful.
