I’m thankful for the autumn breeze as I walk to their pack house. It’s a longer walk than I would usually do, but I just needed a little more time to gather my courage.
Earlier today I wrote down what I was most afraid of and at the very top of the list was rejection.
I wasn’t worried about Lain or Greer, but Callum possibly rejecting this scent match. Sure, we had a moment, and he said he wanted me to stay. But wanting me to stay versus making a serious commitment to a person you barely know are two completely different things. I also worry about how they feel about me not telling them we were scent matches right away, too.
All I can do is hope they’ll understand.
The other fears are just about the future in general, but after my talk with Effie, I feel a little bit more steady on that front. I was good at my old job, I brought in a lot of revenue, but I didn’t really make a difference. Yet, in such a short time posting for Effie and getting her on more platforms, I’ve helped showcase a space safe for Omegas and it makes me feel better than anything else I’ve ever accomplished.
I’ve had all these ideas about being an Omega and I can’t deny that most of them have been negative. I’ve resented my designation for so long and I wish I could go back in time and change a lot of my behavior. What if I could dedicate the rest ofmy life to making an impact? Creating spaces where Omegas can be themselves?
Leaving the beauty industry and starting from the ground up is terrifying, but I’ll be here, I’ll be with these men and Effie, and hopefully my sister. I know she’s just as scared as I am to take this leap.
There’s a trickle of rain and I curse for walking to their house as drops splash against Lain’s rain jacket that I haven’t given back and don’t plan too, he’ll just have to get another.
The air around me is clean and crisp. How did I let the world pass me by? Smelling the fresh Scottish air is my metaphorical smelling the flowers.
I’m embracing my life, my designation, and all the good and bad that comes with it.
As I approach their gate, a spark of lightning hits the sky along with a bounding thunder. I don’t stare at in fear, instead I smile. I’m not someone who believes in signs, not normally, but something tells me my mom knew what she was doing in sending us here and maybe she’s been watching this whole time.
My heart is pounding in my chest as I finally gather the means to lift my hand and knock on the door.
It’s Lain who answers, his brows furrowing as he sees me.
“Maisie, did you walk all the way here?”
“Yeah,” I reply lamely.
“Come on, let’s get you warm,” he says, taking a few steps ahead of me, likely to start up the fire.
I take off the jacket, and wrap my arms around myself and wait. He’s crouching to light the flame as his back goes rigid. His tobacco and vanilla scent is thick in the space, demanding attention, but I just wait.
“Maisie?” he calls my name out like a prayer as he slowly rises, grabbing the mantle of the hearth and turning to face me.His pupils are huge, and his Adam’s apple bobs as he slowly approaches me.
His trembling hand reaches up and cups my face, his thumb dragging a delicate path against my cheekbone.
“This is real? I’m not imagining it?”
“It’s real,” I whisper as I take in all his features. His other hand cups the other side of my face and he just stares down at me like he’s seen a miracle.
“We’re scent matches? We’re…your?”
I nod, tears filling my eyes, not because I’m sad but I’m just relieved.
“Yeah, we are. All of you.”
The smile that takes over Lain’s face is brilliant and bright as he leans down and kisses me. The kiss nearly leaves me senseless. I’m here in front of my scent match and he knows, and he wants me back and all I want to do is strip out of my clothes and lay myself bare for him to take me as he pleases.
“You didn’t tell us she was here,” Greer says and that breaks apart the kiss.
My steadfast Alpha is approaching, happy to see me as he stops in his tracks, his pupils just as blown as Lain’s.
“What?” Greer questions.
“Dinner is ready,” Callum says, coming out of the kitchen and standing next to Greer.
It takes him a moment, but when he finally scents me, I swear his knees nearly go out underneath him. He has to hold on to the back of the lounge chair for balance.
