Shit.
“Everybody, go back inside,” Declan barks at his guards, and glances at the omegas. “You guys too. There’s nothing to see out here.”
“You’re not answerin’ me,” Mabel insists, her voice going louder. “What were you doin’ out here so late?”
Rory’s mouth gapes open for a second. “I was…doing a perimeter check.”
“I may be blonde and Southern, but I ain’t stupid.” She looks pointedly at the guards who are now walking back to the property gate.
Rory glances at me helplessly.
Mabel does not miss it.
“Why are you lookin’ at her?” she demands, before turning to me. “Jo…?” Her expression is hurt and confused, and I can’t even blame her.
Did I make a massive mistake?
“Rory was out this late because he was doing what he does every night—which is watching over you,” Aidan says flatly. I shouldn’t be surprised, really. Of course he uses his cameras to keep track of everything that happens on the compound.
Declan curses under his breath, and Rory has the decency to look a little guilty.
Mabel’s eyes go wide. “I…what? Why…why would…?”
Declan turns to me, something lighting up in his eyes. Mabel doesn’t missthateither. “Jo? Why do they keep lookin’ at you? Why is Rory watchin’ me? What’s goin’ on?”
My heart pounds in my ears as I feel someone’s fingers twine through mine from behind. My mouth opens to speak, but no words come out. What if I’ve ruined everything? What if, in trying to protect Mabel, I’ve taken her autonomy away from her?
Does that make me just as bad as Thornfield?
“Well…” I trail off helplessly. I really have dug my own grave here. Do I come clean? If I do, she’s more likely to cut and run than she is to sit and listen. I can’t lose her again. But if I introduce it as a suspicion…“There’s a slight possibility—”
“More than slight,” Declan cuts in, glaring at me. “I feel it. We all do, on some level, and I’m done hiding it.”
Mabel takes a step back. “Hidin’…what?”
My jaw goes tight. “Declan James Gallagher, don’t you dare—”
He ignores me, taking a step forward. “You’re our true scent match.”
Well, shit.
A small gasp leaves Mabel as her hand flies up to cover her mouth. “There’s no way…I’m basically a beta. I can’t scent a single thing, and Iknowyou can’t scent me.”
My eyes shoot to Nolan and Aidan, who look about as shocked as Mabel does.
“Even with the serum they gave you, true scent matches can detect each other, just the smallest bit.” Declan looks at me. “Isn’t that right, Jo?”
Mabel looks at me, hurt in her eyes. “Is that true?”
“I…” I shake my head. “We don’t know if we got the same injections or not. It’s impossible to know for sure.”
“Your scent…” Aidan speaks, his voice calm. “Is it similar to…chocolate cream pie?”
Mabel’s face goes white. “Who…who told you that?” She turns to me. “Did you tell them?”
I shake my head. “No, I—”
“I caught a scent the other day,” Aidan tilts his head. “Though at the time I passed it off as dinner preparation.”
