Chapter 4 #2
If it weren’t for the charming alpha still holding my arm, I’d be on the ground again, knees weak from inhaling this beta’s scent. It’s strong for a beta even under the descenters.
I know that doesn’t make sense, but there’s empty air where his scent should be, and underneath that I catch hints of him.
Most betas wouldn’t have a smell at all if they used descenters, which is why I can only assume his scent is strong to begin with.
That would explain the beta’s use of descenters, since his pack is trying to dampen their scents for whatever reason.
I’m breathing hard and my mind spins, second guessing things. Maybe he doesn’t smell any stronger than other betas. Maybe it’s because this beta smells like my favorite food, and I could sniff that out anywhere.
He smells like rich chocolate, the good stuff that the most expensive chocolate bars and best hot chocolates are made of. It’s sweet with an edge to it, where one taste is almost overwhelming but you keep coming back for more.
And I want more. I want to lick him and see if he tastes just as good.
The packaging doesn’t hurt either. He’s large for a beta, almost as tall and muscular as the alphas next to me.
His red hair is bright against a fading tan, and there’s a gold hoop earring in his left ear that flashes in the light.
His messy hair falls across his eyes, which are such a deep brown they look black.
He has a sly look on his face as he watches me, like he knows something I don’t and he’s just waiting for me to realize it.
The beta prowls closer.
“I—wait, did you say Henri?” I say, looking at the curly-haired alpha he was talking to.
That’s the name of my teammate, but it’s still twenty minutes until they’re supposed to arrive.
They can’t be my bosses.
I didn’t expect them to look like this. To smell like this.
I can hardly think around them. How could I ever work under them?
When I researched the Montanus Pack, the only pictures I found were of the team lead, Orion, in news articles. None of these alphas are him.
What are the odds there’s another alpha in Starsfalls named Henri? Numbers blur before my eyes, but I don’t keep up with the popularity of baby names so I don’t have enough data to come up with a good estimate.
It doesn’t matter though, because my question is answered as Orion himself exits the first SUV.
The photos didn’t do him justice. Of course, as a professional, I noticed how commanding and authoritative my team leader is, which came across even in the black and white images.
Here, in person, his amber-colored eyes seem to glow, and his black hair is swept back from his face, giving him a distinguished look. He’s all alpha, muscular biceps flexing and bulging as he shuts the car door.
Orion certainly seems like someone you’d trust to lead you anywhere, no matter how dangerous. Even his presence is dominating, letting you know immediately he’s in charge.
His scent is just as strong and sharp as he appears. At first I think it’s simple cool mint, like fresh mint leaves. But as I inhale again, I realize it’s more than that. It’s peppermint, sweet candy mints and festive candy canes. It would be astringent if it weren’t for that sweetness mixed in.
Orion introduces himself, and I shake his hand in a stupor.
He presents the rest of my teammates. The charming alpha who helped me up is Charm, which almost makes me laugh, but I stifle the hysterical giggle. The curly-haired alpha is Henri and Cato is the beta.
Cato is still smiling slyly when I look over at him. His eyes try to draw me in, deep pools with hidden depths, but I quickly look away as Orion introduces their last member, Magnus. He’s the huge alpha still standing near the cars.
Magnus nods politely to me, so I guess he isn’t too traumatized by my flailing. I’ll have to be extra careful around him to prove I’m not a hazard. I nod back and remain standing perfectly fine, not even a wobble. No clumsiness here.
Time stalls as Orion watches me, but eventually he releases my hand. I didn’t even realize I was still holding on after our handshake.
I’m still out of sorts after my fall, like I dropped into some alternate world where alphas are enticing and betas look like they want to hold me down and lick me all over. I could be projecting that last part.
Except this pack had me out of sorts even before I fell.
I’ve never reacted to anyone like this before. It must be the stress of embarking on my rescuer training. My omega is looking for comfort, any port in a storm. It’s nothing to do with them specifically.
I’ve worked with plenty of attractive people, including alphas, and didn’t have this issue. I’m sure I’ll calm down once I get settled in and focus on the job.
Until then, I’ll just have to fake it and not let on about how weird I’m feeling.
“We’ll load this up if you’re ready to go. Magnus will help you get the rest of your things from the room,” Orion says.
I nod, agreeing to his orders without a second thought.
I walk back to the inn as Magnus finally comes over, but stop abruptly after a few steps.
Magnus stops too, as if we’re tethered to a cord and he’s keeping a certain distance between us.
“Oh, I—this is everything I brought. And I already checked out,” I say.
Why did I act like I had more things? I’m already failing my Appear Super Normal and Competent Mission.
I feel myself blushing. Thank goodness it’s cold outside, my red face can be attributed to that.
“The rest is being shipped then. Is it coming to the Starsfalls post office? We can pick it up when it arrives, just let us know,” Orion says, pausing with my large pink suitcase under his arm.
It looks so tiny with him carrying it, but it’s my biggest suitcase. It comes up to my chest when I wheel it around.
“Um, no this is all I have. I haven’t collected much over the years since I knew I’d be moving for work. Although I did buy more books while I was in town, so be careful, some of those are kind of heavy…” I trail off as Cato picks up several boxes at once without faltering.
The alphas, however, pause, and Orion frowns.
“This isn’t enough,” he says, eyes flashing.
I choke on my tongue trying to blurt out an apology for not having more stuff. Although why should I apologize? And why would he care how much luggage I have anyway?
Thankfully he continues before I get out my garbled apology.
“We’ll take you shopping before we return to the station.
You should have more than this regardless,” Orion says, giving me a look, “but you’ll be up on the mountain for weeks at a time and won’t have access to any stores.
It’s best to stock up when you can and get anything you even think you might need. ”
He turns away without waiting for an answer and puts my suitcase in the car.
I’ve lived like this for years, with just the things in those bags.
“I don’t need anything else. This is it,” I say firmly, standing up straight.
I know I’m supposed to defer to my team lead at work, but surely not when it comes to personal matters like this.
“We have plenty of room at the station if that’s what you’re worried about.
You don’t need to travel light,” Henri chimes in.
“Are you sure you don’t want to do a little more shopping before we head up?
We can get whatever food you like at the specialty grocery stores, and Starsfalls has nice boutiques for clothes and… other things.”
I assume from his awkward phrasing that he’s subtly referencing nesting stores. I’m honestly not sure if I want them to be direct about my designation differences or not.
“I don’t need anything else,” I repeat.
Charm and Henri exchange glances and then look at Orion. Everyone waits for his response since they’ve finished loading my apparently meager belongings.
“I know you were at the top of your class, and you’re prepared for most aspects of this job,” Orion says.
“Yes,” I say, trying not to seem too proud.
Tests aren’t the same as the real thing, even so, I worked hard at the academy and deserve the recognition.
Except I can tell there’s a “but” coming.
Barely ten minutes into meeting my team, and I’m already getting scolded. That’s the worst feeling.
I take deep, even breaths, trying to stay calm. That works, but unfortunately I think it’s because I’m breathing in their scents, which comforts my omega.
“Have you ever spent an extended amount of time in a remote location? And during winter?” Orion asks.
“No,” I say, drawing the word out, wanting to put off what I know is coming.
“To do our jobs well, we need to take care of ourselves physically and mentally so we’re at our best to help others.
We’ll be isolated for long stretches at a time, and in winter especially, the cold, short days affect you.
Studies show that living in a comfortable environment is beneficial for all designations.
It’s best to stock up on creature comforts and entertainment.
This isn’t a frivolous suggestion, it’s for your mental health,” Orion says.
I appreciate his reference to scientific studies that apply to everyone, not just omegas. I’ve read that research too, so I know that statistically people perform better when they feel safe.
My pared-down lifestyle doesn’t bother me, but he’s right that I’ve never lived like they do. At the academy, there were all kinds of shops just a short walk from campus, and the city was less than an hour away.
I could get a few more things, just in case.
“Let us take you shopping now, and after you’ve settled in at the station, we can get whatever else you need,” Orion says.
“If you’re sure there’s time, I could pick up a few things before we go,” I say.
“Of course, we have plenty of time. We’ll get you anything you need, Hestia,” he says.
A shiver goes down my spine at the way he says my name, like a caress.
Orion helps me into the front seat of his SUV. I’ll allow it just this once, letting him hoist me into their too-tall vehicle, but they better not be this chivalrous all the time.
Cato slides in as Orion starts the car, their scents mixing into a sweet, minty cocoa.
I feel eyes on me as we leave the inn, and look back to find Cato staring, a secret smile on his face.
I don’t know what his deal is and I’m too flustered to figure it out.
I turn around and ignore his strange behavior.