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For now, I contented myself with imagining all the ways I could mete out punishment to all those who’d hurt her, and dreamed of the day we’d finally be free of deadly threats.
twenty
DEMI
The scent bindersmade my nose tickle and elicited a sneeze. I couldn’t help myself. I turned my head into my elbow and let out three in a row.
“This is torture,” I complained, eyeing the numerous cards I needed to sniff. Scent cancellers sat beside me, and I lifted one of the little bags to my nose and breathed deeply to clear out the irritating smell of burnt popcorn. “I hope for this Alpha’s sake that there’s an Omega out there who just adores the scent of slightly charred kernels.” I handed the card back, motioning for Ava to slide it back into place and turn to the next pack.
It stood to reason that if one Alpha didn’t appeal, none of the others in the pack would either. And even if they did, how could you have a relationship with a pack when one of their member’s scents repulsed you?
Bad as I felt, it wasn’t worth the time to test them all when there were so many to get through. Maybe I’d feel differently if I didn’t have six sexy-as-sin men standing shoulder to shoulder on the other side of the glass who smelled like a wet dream. It made me appreciate their incredible signatures all the more.
And how wonderful they were to me.
I knew if I so much as blinked wrong, they’d force their way in and rescue me.
I’d admit, the process wasn’t fun, but it was harmless, thus far. Sniffing cards was the hardest part, but all it required me to do was sit here.
I could easily deal with a bit of uncomfortableness in order to pair with my men.
Just a little longer and this will have all been worth it.
Kimber took the next scent card from Ava, testing it herself before shrugging and handing it to me. “Try this one. This is from Pack Kilpatrick.”
Suppressing a sigh, I took the card and tentatively breathed in the aroma. Wrinkles creased my nose, and I immediately jolted away from the acrid signature. My stomach revolted, and I gagged. I held the card between two fingers like it would bite me at any second.
Despite the thick glass, I heard a deep, masculine chuckle. Twisting in my seat, I sent a glare to the culprit—a certain golden-haired, blue-eyed chef who appeared way too satisfied that I was rejecting pack after pack.
Thane smirked unrepentantly and bounced his eyebrows as if to say, “Having fun yet?”
I pursed my lips, because, yeah… this wasn’t a good time. However, I was overly aware that I’d asked for this, and I decided to pull up my metaphorical big girl panties and plow forward.
This would all be worth it soon.
Shivering outwardly, nausea rolling through me, I waved the card for the women to take back.
“That’s a definite no, in case you missed the vomit that tried to spew across the table.”
At the mention of disgusting bodily fluids, Kimber jumped from her chair and snatched one of the pouches of scent cancellers. “Easy. Breathe this in, and I’ll get rid of this for you.” She gently extracted the card from my fingers, taking one more whiff of it before handing it to Ava. “Weird. It smells like puppies to me.”
“Puppies? How does a man smell like puppies?” Ava’s brows drew together in confusion.
“Don’t ask me. Check it out for yourself.”
Without delay, she brought it close to her face and inhaled. The two of them laughed and compared notes, talking about the earthy scent underneath.
I shook my head. “I don’t know what you’re smelling, but it’s definitely notpuppies. That stench is worse than a stinky dog who’s been outside for too long. It’s musty and awful.”
Thankfully, the next few were far more tolerable—s’mores, a mocha latte, sandalwood and honey, warm cotton, and one that smelled like ocean mist. None of them called to me until Kimber smirked mischievously and handed me another card.
“How about this one?”
Coconut and sweet cream—a pina colada on a hot, sunny day. There was no doubt in my mind this was Knox’s scent.
“Yes,” I breathed, clinging to the card, unwilling to hand it back. “Finally.”Thiswas my pack.
Ava smiled gently. “How about this one?”
