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He laughs again; I find that I like the sound. “Actually, I’m an Alpha who loves to bake. But I meant the whole…”

He gestures at me, pushing himself to his feet.

I stare down at myself. Then I flush.

I’m still standing in the fighting stance.

I hurriedly hold my hands underneath my armpits. “Sorry, also about the whole showering you in whatever that slime is.”

He leans against the back wall, pillowing his head on his hands. “At least I didn’t order the green tea. No burns to treat. Seriously, it’s not a problem. I hope the therapist doesn’t think that I mean to make a bad impression. Don’t they analyze everything? If my new Omega doesn’t like the scent, I’ll simply have to change into something different.”

“Or you could strip,” I blurt.

Shit, I am bad at making conversation now.

“Always an option.”

“Your new Omega?” I rush to ask, as my cheeks pink.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The Alpha’s face lights up, and it’s startling like the sun coming out.

It’s almost like he’s in love, but that’s not possible. This is a clinic that helps packs through complicated heats or matches volunteer packs with Omegas.

It’s not about finding love.

My heart aches.

This Alpha is only a few years younger than me, but it’s hard to remember feeling that hopeful. He’s glowing with joy, and I have a sudden yearning to reach out and protect that for him.

Cherish it because you’ll lose it, I wish to warn him.

As if sensing the words, even if I don’t voice them, the Alpha’s gaze sharpens. “I don’t know who she is, but it’s my pack’s first time being on the clinic’s books. I’ve been begging my pack to volunteer here for months. We’ve just completed the training. My pack hasn’t bonded with an Omega, and it’s painful to spend ruts like that, you know? They have four different Omegas in consultations today. I hope one of them will scent match with us. But I had to be here just in case, you know?”

I stare at him.

Could I have a one in four chance of matching with him? Do I want to?

Even if his file is selected for me, there is as much chance that one of the other Omegas will match with him first.

The Alpha’s gaze falls to the pendant at my neck. “I guess that you’re here with your pack?”

Startled, I realize that he reckons I am still bonded. Most Omegas take off such an obvious claim as the ABO pendant after the death of their pack, or if they break a bond.

No wonder he reckons there is no problem with approaching and chatting to me now. He doesn’t imagine that I am one of the Omegas who could select him.

Why does that make my chest tighten?

I study him more closely. “They’re not here.”

Strictly speaking, it’s not a lie. They’re under our Dream Tree in the back garden of the inn and will be forevermore.

I glance behind the Alpha at the clusters of other people in the waiting lounge who I avoided earlier. “Are your pack around here?”

Why is anticipation tingling in my stomach?

The Alpha shakes his head. “I’m alone too.”