Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
brEE
She wakes up more rested than she has in years .
She’s peaceful. The fabrics of the blankets feel perfect against her skin, and she heaves a big, satiated sigh as the sun creeps in from the windows.
Green Woods greets her once again, and she grins lazily at the lush woods.
The air is lovely, too. The scent of the forest mixes with a subtle citrus note, along with sea salt that smells like?—
The smile falls from her face.
She agreed to dinner with Cole.
“Shit,” she hisses, sitting up in bed.
She almost forgot about their dinner, but being reminded of that mouthwatering scent jolts her back to reality.
She hates that she can still smell him on her skin from yesterday. He has no business affecting her this way, especially since she’ll never see him again.
He somehow knows her full name, and she never goes by it. There’s no possible way he found that out without doing something suspicious, which is why she’s going to cancel their plans.
She knows it’s rude, but the internet gave her plenty of ways to make it seem like it’s all her fault and not his.
She still can’t put her finger on it, but something seems off about him.
Besides, he said he was in Green Woods to visit his family—he should be with them.
Anxiety churns her stomach. In a perfect world, she would go to dinner with him and enjoy his company.
But she can’t even take off her sweater in front of people—and the moment Cole sees her scars, she would be the weird one, not him.
Even if he wanted to date her, it’s not like she knows anything about having a Heat with an Alpha.
He would laugh at her—she’s sure he’s taken dozens of Omegas to bed and having an inexperienced one would just be a burden.
She shakes her head and stops her train of thought before it gets worse.
They’re not having dinner. It’s that simple.
“Stop it,” she hisses to herself before she picks up her phone. She has his number from yesterday, with an area code she doesn’t recognize.
A quick search tells her it’s from Maryland.
See? He lives too far away, anyway.
She types out a quick text to him, then reads it back to herself.
Hi, I’m so sorry to do this to you, but I’m not feeling well. I appreciate everything you did for me yesterday, but I won’t be able to make it to dinner.
She sends it, hoping it sounds believable enough and isn’t rude .
It takes less than thirty seconds for a reply.
I see.
It’s only two words. It shouldn’t be ominous.
But she blocks his number anyway.
She doesn’t get to go to dinner with the hot, creepy guy. So what? She did the right thing—she has work to do.
It would only lead to drama for her in the end.
Cole’s scent still lingers as she makes her way into the bathroom.
But even after she towels off from her shower, his citrusy, mouthwatering scent still surrounds her.
Even after she dresses in a lilac sweater, white tank top, and light denim jeans, it lingers.
She tidies up the bedroom to distract herself from it but places more blankets than necessary back on the bed. She fluffs them up, then grabs the extra pillows from the closet and arranges them in a pile on the mattress.
Bree’s not nesting. She’s not.
She’s just anticipating it getting cold at night.
Her Heat isn’t due for a while, so nesting definitely isn’t happening.
Cole’s scent stays with her down the stairs and into the kitchen. There’s not much to eat; her plan is to go to the grocery store in Elmwood later in the day. But she knows there’s ice cold water in the fridge, and that will have to be enough for now.
Her jaw drops when she opens the fridge.
The property manager had told her she was welcome to whatever was still in there, but this can’t be accurate.
Fresh produce fills the crisper drawers, one full of rich green vegetables and the other of brightly colored fruits, and the fridge shelves are stocked with local cheeses, meat alternatives, and fresh juices.
Bree shuts the door and opens the pantry.
Different grains and canned goods line the shelves.
They weren’t there before .
She huffs out a breath, knowing she shouldn’t panic about artisan cheeses and quinoa, but their sudden appearance doesn’t make any sense.
Bree quickly sends an email to the property manager through her phone to double check that the fridge and panty were already stocked.
She wants to ignore the nagging feeling that somehow Cole was behind it because of how irrational is sounds.
No, the hot weird guy didn’t break into your rental cabin and sneak groceries into the kitchen .
She opens the fridge again and marvels at its contents. It’s as if someone read her mind and knew exactly what she wanted.
Her phone buzzes with an email back from the manager.
Yes! We always stock the fridge as a welcome present for our guests. Enjoy!
She breathes a sigh of relief. She worried for nothing.
It’s possible she was so exhausted that she just didn’t pay attention to the fridge contents the other night.
So, she helps herself to some cheese, crackers, and strawberries for a quick breakfast. She’s finishing up the last of the cheese when Darlene texts her, inviting Bree over to her place.
Bree’s first instinct is to say no. She usually feels awkward around new people.
But Darlene is kind, friendly, and Bree’s gut instinct tells her to go.
So, she agrees.
“You can take off your sweater if you want, and I can light the fireplace so you’ll stay warm,” Darlene says, sitting on the loveseat opposite Bree.
Bree’s muscles tense and she fights the urge to wrap her arms around herself. “I’m fine,” she insists, clutching her mug of coffee tightly. “The temperature is perfect.”
Darlene’s place is perfect, as well. The cabin is quaint and welcoming, the front room full of original paintings and family photos. Her matching couch and loveseat are a light pink floral pattern, and blankets full of cat hair are strewn haphazardly on the backs of them.
Oscar, a twenty-pound orange cat, lies atop his massive cat tree, watching Bree with curious amber eyes.
It’s not just a house, it’s a home.
Bree loves it immediately, even if Darlene’s gentle suggestion sends her into a panic.
Darlene snorts at Bree’s comment on the temperature. “Tell that to Kyle. He’d have the fireplace on in summer if I’d let him.”
Bree smiles. “How long have you two been together?” she asks, grateful to change the subject.
Darlene’s face lights up at the question. “Five years,” she smiles, showing off her dimples. “We’ve been mated for four.”
Bree raises her eyebrows. “Oh, wow! That soon after dating?”
She can’t imagine ever finding a mate, much less letting an Alpha sink his teeth into her.
Unbidden, Cole’s handsome face flashes in her mind.
She scowls internally. She blocked his number. He’s out of her life.
“He wanted to do it the day he met me, but I told him to relax,” Darlene laughs. “Still, it was flattering. I’m really lucky. Well, he is, technically.” She grins, and Bree can’t help but smile back.
“As he should be. You make a mean panini.”
“With extra avocado. You know it.”
The couch dips with sudden weight, and the cushion makes a poof sound as an orange blob rests on Bree’s lap.
Oscar, it seems, has decided he wants to be a part of the conversation. Bree reaches out and gingerly pets the cat, her fingers stroking through his soft fur.
“Ooh. He likes you. That’s a good sign.” Darlene watches as Oscar tilts his head to give Bree access to his chin. “Are you a cat person?”
The cat purrs and slowly closes his eyes as Bree rubs his pink nose. “My Dad was allergic,” she murmurs. “We never had one.”
“Shoot. We just rescued him from outside and got him fixed. He was a tomcat prowling around with those big cheeks. Probably the father of at least a million kittens, who knows.”
Oscar flops onto his stomach and across Bree’s lap.
“You’re a natural,” Darlene chuckles. “Maybe you were a cat person in another life.”
Bree snorts. “Maybe.”
A pet was always out of the question, even after her father died. Carol was never a fan of them. Even a goldfish was considered too much.
“So, are you excited for your date ?” Darlene asks, grinning. “I saw the way he was looking at you. He looked like he wanted to kill Eugene. What was that about, anyway?”
Bree scowls. “He pretended to be my husband,” she admits begrudgingly, fixated on Oscar’s fur. “It was to get Eugene to back off.”
“No fucking way. Are you serious?” Bree chances a glance at Darlene, who looks positively delighted .
“Yes. And then he asked me to dinner.”
Darlene claps and squeals. “So, he’s your knight in shining armor, huh? I guess that means you have to stay in Green Woods longer, and suffer with me, Kyle, and Oscar.”
“Absolutely not,” Bree flushes, mortified. “I’m not going to dinner with him and I’m leaving here at the end of the week.”
Darlene scoffs. “Why would you say no to him? He’s clearly enamored with you!”
“For all I know, he’s a serial killer! Weren’t you the one that said this town isn’t what it seems?”
“Sure, the residents . Not Cole. He’s a good guy, I can sense it. He’s not a killer, but Eugene is,” Darlene says conversationally.
A headache begins to form as Bree puts a hand to her forehead and groans in exasperation. “Back up. First of all, were you going to tell me that Cole has a tab open for me at the café? And second, you can’t just gloss over the fact that my neighbor murdered his wife!”
Darlene shrugs, unphased by her outburst. “I mean, I thought you knew Cole was paying for your food. And now that your Alpha is around, you don’t have to worry about your creepy neighbor anymore.”
Your Alpha.
Bree’s stomach flips.
“Huh? No ,” she huffs, looking at the other Omega in disbelief. “He’s not my Alpha, and I blocked his number. So, he’s not going to be around to protect me.”
Darlene’s rich brown eyes narrow. “You blocked him—why would you—” she shakes her head and sighs. “Okay, here’s the thing about Eugene. He’s been a nasty alcoholic for years. Helene, his wife, who happened to be an Omega, had enough of it and tried to divorce him. Eugene got even worse after that—he drank more, and he started spewing off hateful nonsense to everyone—he basically pickled his brain. He was constantly talking about how much he hated Omegas to anyone who would listen. Then, his wife just disappeared . Up and gone, poof .” She gestures with her hands. “The sheriff got involved, but they found nothing. So, technically, no one can prove it, but we all know he did it.”
Bree blinks, stunned. “So, he hasn’t been arrested or anything? He’s not even a suspect?”
“I’m sure he was, but our town has like, one officer that was assigned the case, and they closed it. So, he basically got away with it. You know, it’s small-town stuff.”
Darlene must see something on Bree’s face, because her expression softens. “Look. As long as you have us, you’re fine. It would be even better if you hadn’t blocked one of the hottest men I’ve ever seen, but you’re safe with Kyle and me.”
Bree nods, continuing to pet Oscar’s fur.
It’s soothing, and she starts to wonder if maybe one day she should get a cat, too.
Her apartment is lonely. It would be nice to have someone to come home to…
“Also, if you need any extra Heat supplies, I have those, too.” Darlene interrupts her train of thought.
“ Huh ?”
“I have extra nesting blankets, heating pads, fuzzy socks, emergency suppressants, lube?—”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I’m not stupid ,” her friend snaps. “I’m not trying to make it weird, but your scent has grown sweeter since the last time I saw you, and I’m sure it’s because of Cole. And, if you’re not going to at least give him the time of day, you’re probably going to go into an early Heat.”
Bree stares at her, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly. She doesn’t have words.
Is it normal to be this forward about Heat cycles ?
She hasn’t had an Omega friend since college, and the ones she’s interacted with don’t bring up Heats and nesting out of the blue, and she certainly hasn’t been offered lube before.
“I have what I need,” she says carefully. “Thanks, though.”
“Sorry,” Darlene says quickly. “I didn’t mean to weird you out, and I’m not trying to overstep your boundaries or anything. I was just thinking, you know, the circumstances are a little weird and you’re by yourself here. So, if you need anything, just tell me, and I’ve got you.”
With the cat asleep in her lap, Bree gives her a genuine smile.
“I appreciate it,” she says. “I truly do.”
Her concern is unnecessary, though.
Her Heat isn’t coming anytime soon.