Page 34 of Written in Scent

I am safe.

I climb into the back seat with the omega still cradled against my chest and pull the door shut behind us. The moment the latch clicks, she shifts in my arms, climbing fully onto my lap as though she can’t bear even an inch of space between us.

Her small hands fist in my hair, tugging with surprising strength, and she grinds down against me with a desperate whine that nearly short-circuits my brain. Heat pours off her skin. Her bright strawberry and lemon and peach scent floods the confined space of the car, sweet and sharp and so potent it makes my mouth water and my pulse hammer against my ribs.

I have never reacted to anyone like this. Not once in my life.

My free hand fumbles for my phone while I try to keep my breathing steady. I hit Alex’s contact and press call, putting it on speaker so I can keep both arms around her. The line connects after one ring.

“Adrian.” Alex’s voice is calm and commanding, the way it always is when the pack needs him. “Talk to me.”

“She’s perfuming,” I manage, voice strained. “Strongly. I found her in the library stacks and she fell. The second I got close her scent blockers failed and now she’s in a full heat spike. I have her in the car but I’m barely holding on here.”

The omega whines again, louder this time, and rocks her hips against mine in a deliberate, needy circle. My grip tightens on her waist. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to stay focused on the call.

Alex doesn’t miss a beat. “Did you leave anything in the library? Hers or yours?”

“Possibly both. My bag is still on the table where I was studying and she had a notebook with her at least. I didn’t stop to check.”

“I’ll have Jamie call you in a minute for details. He can go grab everything. For now, stay in the car. Don’t move. I’m already on my way to you.”

Relief crashes through me so hard my shoulders sag. Alex is the apex for a reason. The weight that lifts off my chest the moment he takes charge is immediate.

“Thank you,” I say, the words rough.

The line goes dead.

The omega chooses that exact second to pull my face down to hers and kiss me again. Her mouth is hot and eager, tongue sliding against mine like she is starving for the taste of me.

I groan into the kiss before I can stop myself, one hand sliding up her back to cradle the nape of her neck while the other grips her hip, holding her in place as she continues to grind against me in slow, desperate rolls.

Every rational thought in my head fractures. All I can feel is her, all I can smell is her, all I can think is mine.

My phone rings again, Jamie’s name flashing on the screen. I answer on speaker, barely managing to keep my voice level.

“Jamie.”

His usual playful tone is gone. He sounds dead serious. “Is the omega the girl I have been talking to, Melody? Strawberry blonde hair, bright peachy lemonade scent, usually in a cardigan?”

“Yes,” I confirm, the word rough. “It’s her.”

Jamie exhales sharply. “I know exactly what her bag looks like. I’ll head to the library right now and grab both your things. Just tell me what floor you were on.”

I give him the details, voice tight as the omega, Melody, tugs at my hair again and nips at my bottom lip.

Jamie doesn’t tease. He simply says, “I have you both. Sit tight,” and ends the call.

I drop the phone onto the seat beside us and let myself sink back into her for one stolen second, kissing her indulgently and deep, letting the taste of her settle on my tongue.

Then a sharp knock sounds on the window.

I jolt. Melody startles in my arms with a soft whine.

Alex is already here.

I reach over and unlock the door. He slides into the driver’s seat, jaw tight, eyes flicking to the rearview mirror for only a fraction of a second before he starts the engine.

“I’m driving us home,” he says, voice low and controlled. “I’ll keep my eyes on the road. Just… try to stay focused back there.”