I get what Raff is saying. Biology is a bitch for alphas, but all my brain hears is that my pack alpha chose her over us.
I know it's irrational.
It’s not like he decided the omega on that couch was better than what he had at home. His instincts hijacked him.
But knowing that and feeling it are two very different things.
Odette moves from the counter to the doorway, stepping between me and Raff. She looks into the living room at Elowen, still curled on the couch under the crocheted blanket,her chest rising and falling in the slow rhythm of deep sleep.
"She smells a little off," Odette says quietly. Her nostrils flare as she tests the air. "She’s an omega, but…” She frowns as she trails off.
"She’s covered in some kind of scent-blocking spray," Raff says. “Industrial grade if I had to guess. It’s making her scent come out weird. I couldn’t pull any scent directly off her skin, but I could still somehow smell her.”
“Ah.” Odette nods like she understands. "Sprays don't mask slick. That's a different scent pathway entirely. If she was in full heat and producing slick, no cream could cover that completely." She glances back at Raff. "So how did she hide it?"
"Pills?" Raff shrugs, clearly not having any idea. "I'm not a fucking omega. I don't know how they treat that shit."
Odette's hand cracks against the side of his neck before he finishes the sentence. Not hard, but sharp enough to make his head jerk.
"Language, Rafferty."
"Ma—"
"You're in my house."
Raff rubs his neck and has the good sense to shut up.
"Alright." Odette turns and looks at each one of us. "It's late and I'm tired. Everyone to bed." She holds up one finger, pointing at Cliff. "And I mean everyone to bed. I won't have people roaming my house in the middle of the night, or I'll never fall asleep." Her eyes narrow, and he holds up his hands in surrender.
"You won't get an argument out of me," Cliff says.
Odette studies him for one more second, then nods. “I’ll go get some extra blankets and towels.” She tightens her robe, kisses Raff on the cheekas she passes, and pads down the hallway.
Cliff waits for her feet to fade down the little hallway, then he walks over to where my brother is sitting at the table. He stands beside Perrin's chair and places a finger under his chin, tipping my brother’s head up so he has no choice but to look at the alpha.
"How are you doing?" Cliff asks softly.
Perrin's mouth pulls tight. He tries to drop his gaze, but Cliff's finger holds him there. "I'm fine."
"Perrin."
My brother exhales through his nose. His shoulders drop a fraction. "I don't know what I am, Cliff. But I'm not going to fall apart tonight, if that's what you're asking."
Cliff nods. His fingers release Perrin's chin and slide down, trailing along his throat and settling against his chest. Cliff’s palm rests flat over Perrin's heart, holding him there.
"I love you." Cliff leans down and presses his lips to the tip of Perrin's nose.
Perrin's eyes close, and a flush creeps up his neck, spreading to his ears. When Cliff straightens up, Perrin ducks his head, suddenly very interested in the wood grain of the table.
My chest warms watching them. Perrin deserves this. He's spent his whole life looking out for everyone else, including me, and he never asks for anything in return. Seeing Cliff and Raff love him the way he deserves is one of the best things that ever happened to our pack.
"Will you do me a favor, babe?" Cliff waits for Perrin to look up. His fingers find a loose curl that's fallen across my brother's forehead and he smooths it back. "Will you sleep in the living room tonight? Keep an eye on her?"
Perrin's brows lift, surprise making his eyesgo wide. He glances toward the couch, then back at Cliff. "Yeah." He nods quickly. "Of course. I'll grab a blanket."
“Thank you.” Then Cliff turns to me.
He moves around the table, then kneels in front of my chair so we're eye level. His hands come up and cup my face, his split knuckles rough against my jaw. His deep brown eyes are bloodshot and exhausted as they search mine.
