Oh, my.
“I’m Rhett,” the alpha whispers his name, almost as if it’s a secret.
I can’t help but lean in. “You have a lovely scent.” I breathe, unable to help myself. My skin feels too warm, too tight. The space between us buzzes like an invisible thread is pulling me forward. There’s definitely chocolate in the air. I really hope it’s him.
“So do you.” Rhett laughs softly. The corners of his eyes crinkle a little, telling me he smiles a lot. I like that. “Lemon?” His nostrils flare. “With a hint of lavender?”
I can’t help but be impressed. Not many people smell the lavender…or at least that’s what I’ve been told. It’s not like I can scent myself.
“You have a good sense of smell,” I compliment the alpha. “Most people only scent the lemon.”
“That's a real shame.” Rhett's dark eyes sparkle as he scans my face, but they don’t drop down to my chest. He’s the first alpha to not blatantly stare at my boobs. Maybe he’s a good one. “It reminds me of those tea cookies they serve at garden parties.” The way he says it—soft and fond—makes heat ripple down my spine. My thighs squeeze together of their own accord.
“Does your pack attend a lot of garden parties?” I giggle as I picture this big, strong alpha standing under a rose arbor, eating tiny finger sandwiches, and chatting about the weather.
“My beta loves them.” Rhett pushes one hand into his pocket. He looks so relaxed and sexy. “Myrick would live in a garden if I let him.” His laugh vibrates through me. Thesound is amazing. Deep and rumbly, making my stomach flip.
Feeling a little brave, I decide to be blunt. “And what about the rest of your pack? Do they love garden parties, too?”
Rhett’s smile pulls tight. There’s a flash of what looks like embarrassment in his dark eyes, but it quickly fades. “No alphas,” he says simply, but there’s weight in the words. “It’s just me and my beta.”
Justhim.
My pulse kicks up again, faster this time, and a flush warms the back of my neck. This isn’t a coincidence. This is perfect.
And he’s still watching me—carefully, intently. Like he sees more than the number on my wrist or the cut of my nightie. Like maybe he feels this, too.
Maybe this isn’t just luck. Maybe it’s fate.
I look up into Rhett’s dark eyes and feel something shift inside me. I want him. And not because I’m supposed to find a match tonight—but because something in me has already chosen.
And from the way Rhett’s pupils dilate, the way his throat bobs and his stance subtly tightens, I think maybe—just maybe—he’s already chosen too.
Talking to Autry
Rhett
“It’s onlyme and my beta,” I say honestly, bracing myself.
The last two omegas I spoke with lost interest the moment I mentioned my pack was small. But Autry doesn’t look upset at all. In fact, her eyes light up with something hopeful—curious, maybe even a little eager.
“A small pack?” Her voice lifts.
“Yes,” I say, pleased with her choice of words. Most people don’t consider two lovers to be a pack. They believe you need three or more, and even then they expect you to have a few alphas. “Are you interested in a small pack?”
“Oh yes,” Autry’s hazel eyes shimmer in the warm tent light. They hold a kind of softness that pulls me in. “I’ve always dreamed of having one strong alpha and maybe a beta or two.”
“Twobetas?” I can’t help but to smile widely. “Betas are known for pampering omegas.”
Her full lips twitch, playful and sweet. I can almost see her imagining it already.
“Do you need twice the spoiling?” I tease, my voice low and inviting, watching her eyes roll up, thoughtful, teasing.
“I’ve always liked the idea of having a single, strong alpha to care for me, and two betas to adore me.” She drops her gaze, as if embarrassed by saying something so bold. She’s good—skilled in the subtle art of appealing to an alpha. And yet, the way she says it so quietly, it feels real.
I pick up her one-sheet, glancing at the academy's name. “Where did you go to school?”
“Beechworth.” She shifts on the arm of the chair, making her tiny red nightie ride up. It’s hell not to look, but I keep my eyes plastered on her face.I refuse to act like an animal.“I graduated a few years back.” She sits taller, pride threading through her words. “With honors.”
