Page 86 of Written in Scent

Jamie keeps stroking my hair long after my breathing evens out. “Stay with me tonight,” he whispers against my temple. “I want to wake up with you right here.”

I nod sleepily, already drifting. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Wrapped safely in his arms, surrounded by the warm golden amber scent that feels like sunshine and laughter and home all at once, I fall asleep smiling.

My last conscious thoughts are of one particular alpha as I nuzzle closer. Jamie… Jamie with his bright, joyful chaos that makes everything lighter.

The morning lecture on Behavioral Entomology lets out and I step into the gloomy drizzle with a smile still playing on my lips. My body feels pleasantly loose from the night before.

Every few steps I catch myself replaying moments with Jamie, the neon glow of the mini golf course, the way his laughter wrapped around me until my sides ached, the easy heat that followed once we were back at the house. The memory of his golden amber scent still lingers faintly on my skin even after my shower this morning. I feel content in a way that makes the whole campus look a little brighter despite the rain, the leaves a little more golden instead of brown.

I walk back alone, enjoying the stretch of path between the Natural Sciences building and my dorm. My boots crunch over fallen leaves and I hug my notebook to my chest, letting the happy glow settle deeper.

Last night showed me something new about intimacy. Joy can be just as binding as conversation. Jamie makes everything feel lighter, and I’m already wondering when I will get to feel that way again.

I reach my door and push it open with the same easy smile.

The moment I step inside the smile drops.

Noodle is curled in a tight ball on my bed. She doesn’t lift her head when I walk in. Her gray fur looks dull instead of sleek, her eyes half-closed and glassy. Her small water bowl sits untouched, and the food I left out this morning is still exactly where I placed it. Her breathing seems a little too fast, and when I press the back of my hand gently to her side I feel the faint heat of a fever.

Panic hits fast and sharp, slicing straight through the lingering warmth from last night.

“Noodle?” My voice comes out small.

I drop my bag and kneel beside the bed, heart suddenly hammering. She gives the weakest little meow I have ever heard from her, barely more than a breath, and my stomach twists.

Everything crashes over me all at once. Only hours ago I was wrapped in Jamie’s arms, laughing until I couldn’t breathe, falling asleep surrounded by sunshine and safety. Now the room feels too still, and the fear is cold and immediate.

I don’t even think. My fingers are already pulling out my phone and opening the group chat with all four of them before I can second guess myself. My thumbs fly across the screen.

My cat is sick. She won’t eat and she’s panting and she feels hot. I don’t know what to do.

The replies come almost instantly. Alex’s message appears first, taking his role as leader seriously..

Just called Chase. He’s on his way. Stay with her. We’ve got you.

I stare at the screen, confusion cutting through the panic. Why Chase? I type back quickly.

Chase?

Chase’s reply pops up a second later.

Already in the car. Ten minutes out. Keep her warm and don’t let her drink too fast if she tries.

I set the phone down and look at Noodle again, fear and gratitude twisting together in my chest.

Her breathing still looks too quick. I carefully lift her onto my lap, wrapping her in the soft blanket from the end of my bed. She doesn’t fight me, which only makes the worry sharper. Normally she would be trying to wiggle away or demand pets. Right now she just rests her head against my thigh and closes her eyes.

Minutes crawl by. I keep one hand on Noodle’s side and the other holding my phone, refreshing the chat every few seconds even though I know it won’t make anyone arrive faster. Sophie is still in class, so the room feels too quiet. Every small sound makes me tense, waiting for footsteps in the hallway.

Finally, I can’t sit still any longer. I gently set Noodle back on the bed, making sure she is comfortable, and slip out of the room. My heart pounds as I head toward the side entrance. The RA usually stays at the front desk during the day, so this back door feels like the safest option.

I push the heavy door open a crack and peer outside. The cool air hits my face. A familiar black truck pulls into the small side lot a moment later. Chase climbs out, tall and broad shouldered, tattoos rippling as he carries a black bag that looks like a proper medical kit. His expression is serious, focused in that intense way he gets when he’s in protector mode.

Our eyes meet through the cracked door. He gives me a single nod and starts walking toward me with long, purposeful strides.

I open the door wider and step back to let him in, pulse racing for an entirely new reason now.