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Right now, I need my brain to get us out of it.
TWENTY
—
M A D D I E
Havingmy parents so close is amazing. It’s the one thing that’s been detracting from this experience all along. Now that they’re here, it’s as close to perfect as it’s going to get. As I watch the leaves rustling in a light breeze on my way to the cottage, memories of the other night with Wolf and Tai stream back into my head like an unstoppable current as powerful as the ocean itself.
I’ve tried to stop thinking about it. Really. No matter what I do, though, as soon as I have a moment to myself, that’s where my head goes. My footsteps are silent on the thick lawn beneath me, leaving me with not even the sound of that to distract me.
Despite what they said the other night, I can’t quite believe they’re not doing the same things with the other Omegas. It’s impossible that all three of the Royal Alphas only wantme. There’s no way it can be true. Yet, there were no other scents than theirs in the pack quarters that night.
I don’t know where they’ve been having dinner with the remaining Omegas when the others have had their dates with the pack, but it definitely wasn’t there. Their scents—and theirs alone—washed over me that night, making me feel safer and more protected than ever before.
And hotter. Literally. I’ve been feeling a bit flushed ever since. The usual first indication of an oncoming heat. I’m starting to wonder if I might be sick. If maybe I’m beginning to get Cervus. The mere thought is so terrifying that it makes my knees numb, but something is wrong with me.
I don’t know what it is. Somethinghasto be. It’s like my suppressants aren’t doing anything at all. What’s more is that I took Wolf’s tie from their quarters the other night. I wasn’t aware of doing it at the time, but as he walked me out, I snagged the tie he’d dropped and added it to the little collection I’ve been growing.
Along with Wolf’s tie, I also have Kaz’s handkerchief and Tai’s jacket. I’m keeping it in my chambers like some kind of shrine to the Royals—or even more worryingly—some kind ofnest. And not the kind an Omega makes for herself at home to feel most comfortable. No, a nest meant to be used with a pack.
That’s how I know something is absolutely, irrefutably wrong with me.
A heavy sigh falls out of me, but I can’t afford to dwell on this right now.
My parentscannotknow that I’m worried about this, so I paste a smile on my lips when the cottage comes into view. Then I frown when I see a woman I don’t recognize sitting on the porch with my mother. They’re talking and they’re both knitting, laughing together as if they’re old friends.
As I draw closer, I get a better look at the woman. I’m so surprised that I feel lightheaded when I notice the resemblance between her and Tai. Not only in their delicate features, but also in their scents. She’s got the same warm, spicy nettle and cardamom I’ve grown to love so much, and while the bergamot isn’t as strong on her, it’s definitely there.
The scent envelops me like a favorite blanket, and I’m strangely comfortable with her before she looks up and sees me. “You must be Maddie.” She smiles and sets her knitting aside to stand up. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
I walk up the few steps to the porch, and once I’m there, she comes over to give me a warm hug. “I’m Yua. Tai’s mother.”
“Oh, uh. Hi.” I hug her back, but then I remember all the things I’ve done with her son and the awkwardness sets in.
As she releases me, she puts her hands on my shoulders and looks me over. “Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. So much more so in person and up close. I love the freckles, darling. Lord knows why they were covered initially.”
My blush deepens as I stammer out a lame response. “I, um, I. Makeup.”
She chuckles. “Of course.”
When she steps back, I move around to give my mum a hug, and I can’tnotnotice how happy she looks. Serene. Peaceful. Smiling as she motions toward her new friend.
“Yua was walking in the gardens and we got to talking,” she explains, and there’s more color in her cheeks now than there has been for months.
I know she’s been lonely, but friendship doesn’t cure Cervus. Since she’s so excited though, I don’t interrupt her but I’m curious. “At first, she was standing down there chatting to me, but then I offered her a cup of tea and she came up to sit with me. We lost track of time after that.”
“I was so impressed by your mother’s knitting,” Yua chimes in. “It’s an incredible feat, especially considering her vision concerns. She’s marvelous, though. She offered to teach me.”
Mum’s face flushes. “Yua’s a wonderful student.”
“I’m not doing well,” Yua says modestly and Mum laughs.
Meanwhile, I feel like I’ve stepped into the Twilight Zone. I haven’t seen my mum this carefree in…I don’t know how long. I’ve only been here for a couple of minutes, but I haven’t seen the Cervus twitch at all—not even the small ones that have become so much a part of her that I’ve stopped consciously noticing them.
The lack of them, however, is a whole different ball game. “You’re looking good, Mum. Did Yua bring you a miracle tea?”
“Heavens no.” Yua laughs before she turns to my mum with an intensely excited smile. “Tell her, Emily. Or would you like some privacy before you do?”
