Chapter 17 Faye
SEVENTEEN
Faye
A few days have passed since my heat onset, and I’m still wiped from having to use the patches.
Although they’re super effective, they really mess with your hormones.
I haven’t even been able to attend my classes.
Kady kindly contacted Professor Grub, and my other course leaders, to arrange for notes to be sent over, so I haven’t fallen behind.
Thankfully, they’ve been researching ashwagandha in health botany, which I’m already familiar with.
“Special delivery for Faye Nightingale!” Delilah sings, staggering under the weight of a large box that she plonks in the middle of the dining table where me and Kady are eating breakfast.
Kady laughs. “Those alphas have it bad.”
“Another one?” I gasp. “I don’t get why they keep sending me gifts.”
“Alphas are supposed to spoil omegas.” Kady rolls her eyes. I thought that was just something they did in the movies. “It’s all part of the fun! Make the most of it.”
Aside from a few texts from Ren to check that I’m doing okay and assuring me that they will follow my lead, the guys have kept their distance. However, every day a new gift has arrived.
First, I got a one-eyed, blue, balding bear stuffed animal from Laz named Mr. Snuggles.
Sabs freaked out when she saw it because, apparently, Laz hasn’t been able to sleep without it since he was a kid.
Along with it was a goofy cartoon of the bear—which was very well done—as well as a note that read:
He’ll keep you company at night! Hope you’re feeling better.
PS. Sorry about freaking out! I promise, I’ll try not to make you cry again.
The following day, a care package from Cole was delivered.
It included everything that an omega coming down off a heat could want: hot cocoa, muffins, scented bubble bath, and a gorgeous striped blanket in four different colors.
Each color represents and smells like a different member of the pack.
Although, to my disappointment, the green section smelled of nothing, signaling that Damon hasn’t changed his mind.
Despite Damon’s lack of representation, it was a thoughtful gift.
I still can’t believe Cole went through all that trouble for me. The note inside it read:
I thought this may help if you’re still struggling. We’re here when you want to talk. ~Cole.
“Go on!” Delilah encourages me, nudging the box in my direction. “Open it.”
I tear open the box to find a wooden crate. Inside it are small glass jars full of various rare herbs along with a stunning mortar and pestle made from crystal resin that’s flecked with tiny shreds of lavender. This is incredible. I’ll use it all the time!
Nestled among the jars is a small piece of parchment, inviting me to meet him later today. It has the address of a cafe on the edge of campus, which he claims is the best place for tea.
“Ren wants to meet up,” I tell the girls, nervous butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
“Well?” Delilah squeaks. “Are you gonna?”
Spending time apart has given me a chance to research scent matches.
The more I’ve read, the more I have to agree that everything seems to line up—the way I feel when I’m with them, how we seem to be drawn together, the effect their touch has on me…
The Silverwood’s have embedded themselves under my skin, and as overwhelming as it may be, I can’t avoid them forever.
Out of the guys, Ren is who I know best and feel most comfortable with, so meeting him alone seems like a good place to start.
“I think I’ll go.” I place my new goodies back in the crate.
“Double your dose of suppressants today.” Kady smirks. “If you need one of us to come save you, just drop a black heart emoji in our chat, and we’ll be right there to kick some knot-head butt.“
I laugh. “I thought you didn’t condone violence?”
“I don’t.” She sets down her fork. “Under normal circumstances.”
“Don’t underestimate Kady,” Delilah chuckles. “Did you know that she’s trained in three martial arts?”
My jaw drops. With her willowy figure, I could’ve imagined her being a ballerina.
“My dad insisted on me taking lessons.” Kady shrugs. “Being a Sinclair is dangerous, and I don’t want to rely on an alpha bodyguard to protect me.”
“What’ve I missed?” Sabs glides in. Having just returned from her morning exercise class, she swipes a cooling cupcake off the counter. “You’ve outdone yourself again, Del.” She licks a smidge of pink icing from the corner of her mouth. “I’ve totally earned this. Hot yoga kicked my ass today.”
“I don’t know why you put yourself through it.” Kady wrinkles her nose. “I’d rather eat pineapples on a pizza than sweat while doing downward dog.”
“We all know pineapples belong on pizza!” Sabs argues.
“Not this again! I’ve already told you it works. The combination of the sweet and salty is,” Delilah makes a chef’s kiss motion, “Faye, what’s your opinion?”
“I’m staying out of it.” I play it safe, rising from the table. “I need to change.”
“She’s meeting Ren,” Delilah says for Sabs’s benefit.
“Oooooh!” Sabs teases. “Excited for your date?”
“It’s not a date.” I take my empty cereal bowl to the sink. “It’s just coffee.”
Sabs winks. “Sure, it’s not.”
I grab a cupcake then disappear upstairs to get ready.
After changing outfits multiple times, I finally settle on a thrifted blue dress with a sunflower pattern—cute and casual without trying too hard.
I tie my hair into a loose braid that falls to my waist then grab my purse, triple-checking I’ve got heat patches in case they’re needed, before heading out into the late morning sun.
Even though I left extra early, Ren is already waiting outside when I arrive at the Tea House.
He looks great in his gray shirt, rolled up to the elbows with a cute black sweater vest over the top.
Only he can make a sweater vest look hot.
He’s holding an enormous stack of books.
Plus, the brown, well-worn satchel slung over his shoulder is bulging at the seams, presumably from the number of books stuffed inside there too.
His mouth breaks into a wide grin as soon as he sees me.
“Faye!” In his excitement, he loses grip on the books, sending them tumbling. I rush over to help retrieve them. “Sorry,” he mumbles, pushing his falling glasses back up his nose. “I guess I was just happy to see you.”
Our fingertips brush as I hand him back his copy of Pride and Prejudice, and it feels like an electric shock zaps all the air from my lungs. He releases a fresh burst of pheromones, showing that he feels it too. Our connection.
I jerk my hand away and stand. As well as my usual scent-blocking panties, I’m wearing two scent liners. This will be an excellent test of how well they hold up.
“What do you think of it?” I motion to the book. Books are a safe topic, right?
“It’s good so far.” He tilts his head, regarding me. “But I’m not sure about their relationship. Why is he acting like a total ass?”
“That’s the best bit. Well, not him being an ass, but the slow burn,” I explain. “The yearning, the way he tries to ignore their attraction, and how she’s determined not to like him. It’s obvious he wants her even more than she wants him, but he’s afraid to let himself admit it.”
“Damon sounds a lot like Mr. Darcy,” Ren murmurs before changing the subject. “Do you like to read?”
I nod. “It rains a lot in Clover Hollow, so there’s not much else to do. There’s nothing better than curling up by the fire with a good book.”
“And here I thought you couldn’t get any more perfect.” Ren’s compliment has heat racing to my cheek . He jerks his head toward the Tea House. “Shall we go inside?”
Nodding, he holds the door open for me, then we head inside.
It’s a small, intimate cafe with a rustic treehouse-like vibe.
My mouth waters at the smell of freshly ground coffee and steeped herbs hanging in the air.
The place is quite inviting, with all the books and plants lining the walls and the cozy nooks to sit in.
“It’s so lovely,” I say as I take it all in. This will definitely be a regular haunt for me.
There are plenty of students inside, but it doesn’t feel too packed, and I’m pretty sure Ren is the only alpha in here, which puts me at ease.
Ren points at the menu board. “What would you like?”
There’s so much to choose from. There are coffee beans from all over the world as well as a variety of tea blends. Not only do they have every type of milk you can think of, but they also have cool-sounding foams.
A friendly-looking beta smiles at us. “What’s it going to be?”
Ren orders a Guatemalan Antigua coffee then turns to me.
“I’ll go with a chai with cinnamon sprinkles, please.” I ruffle around in my purse.
“Why don’t you find us a table?” Ren suggests. “I’ll pay.”
“It’s okay,” I insist, retrieving my wallet before settling my bill. “I’m happy to pay for my own.”
“I’ll bring your drinks over when they’re ready,” the smiley barista says before turning to start up the machine.
“This place is amazing.” I scan the cafe, noting the adorable wind chimes hanging by the window as we get comfortable in a quiet alcove with a red cushy sofa.
Ren’s entire posture has shifted. It’s like he’s shrunk in on himself, his shoulders slouched, and the sparkle in his gray-blue eyes gone. Maybe it’s nerves?
“There are so many books here,” I continue blathering like an idiot, worried that I said something to upset him. “I can see some classics, and look at all the cookbooks! Delilah would love them. I’ll have to tell her they’re here.”
Ren nods along as I talk, but his smile doesn’t meet his eyes.
The barista brings over our drinks.
“Mmm.” The first sip is heavenly. “This may be the best chai I’ve ever had.”
Ren says nothing.
“Are you okay?” I ask. “You seem a little … off.”
His scent has dulled; his dreamy Earl Grey aroma has lost some of its usual potency and smells a bit like dry grass.