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I’ve never really paid attention to a male’s scent before. With the exception of West and his unique sandalwood aroma, males just smell likemale. I don’t know what to think that my intended mate is no different.
“Omega. You… you have a mark.”
Oh, no. I forgot about West’s bite. None of the other three males seemed to notice it was there, but the moment Rafael walks into the cabin, approaching me where I stood up to greet him, it’s the first thing his eyes spot.
My hand flies to my throat.
Big mistake, Helene, since his eyes are now drawn to the ring on my finger.
My breath catches.
I didn’t mean to bring it with me. If I was thinking, I would’ve left it back in the cabin with West. As it was, I only had enough time to pull out a fresh dress, grab some shoes, and use the bathroom before he was basically shoving me out the door himself.
Thank the Luna I’m still wearing it on my right hand. Rafael might not know the significance of a gold band on my left ring finger—Darkwoods is supposed to be as secluded from human communities as HIckory is—but what if he did? He bought my explanation about the scar on my neck. Add that to the ring and I’ll have a harder time answering him without being caught in a lie.
The funny thing is, I get the feeling that as curious as he is, it’s more a passing curiosity. Almost like, if Ididlie, he would murmur some more pleasantries, then move on regardless…
He doesn’t point out the ring, though the way he’s staring at the bite on my throat makes me anxious.
Finally, because I get the feeling he’s waiting for an explanation, I say, “It’s not what you think. It’s just a mark from a good friend. That’s all.”
Not all marks are from mates. Most are, but some shifters carry scars like battle wounds. Lovers they had, then lost—kind of like me and West—are fights they’re particularly proud off. I refused to let the feral mark me, but I wouldn’t be surprised if West left a small scar somewhere on his lean body as a reminder of how he saved me.
Or maybe he wouldn’t. Finally, after all this time, he was the one who wanted a clean break.
“Male, yes?”
He’s an Alpha. If I lie, he’ll know. “Yes.”
Rafael’s brow furrows for a moment before he nods, smiling at me. “Ah, well. When I take you as my mate, I’ll make sure to mark you on the other side. Then everyone will know that you have two males who have pledged to protect you.”
Pledged to protect, he says, but not love.
Interesting.
“Anyway, my apologies for being detained. An Alpha’s life is a busy one, yes? I’m sure you know. If not, you will surely learn once you’re my alpha female.”
“Yes.” It’s a simple, non-committal answer and all I can offer him right now.
“I’m sure you want to start discussing our upcoming Luna Ceremony”—yeah, not quite—“but that will have to wait, dear Omega.”
It will? Oh, thank the Luna. “I’m so glad to hear that. I was thinking… I’m here now. There’s no need to rush.”
His expression turns quizzical. Probably because my response is the opposite of what any intended would say. With moon fever as powerful as it is, coupled with the lure of the full moon when the Luna is out, most mates would insist on having the Luna Ceremony as soon as possible.
Not me. Not… now.
Besides, we waited three years. What’s one month more?
Rafael clears his throat. “If that’s what you want, then of course. The Luna is two nights from now, but if we wait, it’ll give us more time to prepare for a Luna Ceremony worthy of the Omega. Still, that’s not what I meant.”
Oh? “What did you mean?”
“Trevor told me that we have a guest.”
We. Unless Bishop left Hickory to check on me, I can’t imagine who it could be.
And then I catch the sandalwood drifting toward me and nothing in this world could stop me from turning to watch as the blond shifter from before—Trevor, I guess—leads in a very familiar male.
