Chapter 5
RYLAND
I knew Blair was beautiful, based on the way Travis would shrug and turn red when I asked about her.
But I didn’t expect the scent match to almost knock me onto my ass.
One moment I’m stepping into the cat rescue, and the next minute I’m locking eyes with the Omega of my dreams.
My scent match.
Sugar. Flowers.
Happiness.
She smells like my future, like the promise of waking up with a full heart for the rest of my life.
But then, she’s rolling back her chair as if shocked, leaping up, then racing to the back of the building. I watch dumbfounded as the brunette that was sitting at the front desk follows her, her face twisted in confusion.
The only other person left in the room, an Omega that smells like chamomile, watches them both leave, her lips parted in shock.
“Uh…” she turns to me, “I have no idea what just happened.”
It would be comical if it was happening to anyone but me.
“Is she okay?” I ask.
The girl nods slowly. “I think so,” she says. “They should be out soon. Anyway,” she turns to me, her demeanor chipper, “you’re looking for a cat, right? Did you want to see the ones we have available?”
“I do,” I say, glancing back toward the front desk where Blair—my scent match—disappeared. “I was actually hoping Blair would help me, though.”
The Omega’s demeanor changes slightly, and a flicker of concern crosses her face. “Do you know her?” she asks cautiously. “Because it seemed a little weird that she saw you and just ran away.”
Oh, shit.
Now I look like a creep.
“I honestly don’t know why she did that,” I say, lifting my hands in surrender. “I’ve never met her before, but I’ve heard of her. I’m Ryland, by the way.”
“I’m Maeve. And the person that ran after Blair is Piper.” She furrows her brow. “I’m not sure how long they’ll both be gone, but I can definitely help you find a cat. I do have to ask you some questions, though.”
“Sure.”
My main motive coming here today was to finally see Blair and figure out what all the fuss was about—but also, it is time for our home to have a pet. There’s no reason for our packhouse to be so empty when we have the space and opportunity to offer a safe space for an animal.
Also, a cat could be a calming presence for Rowan.
We all came to the conclusion a while ago that we should get a pet, and today I’m taking the initiative.
We didn’t all necessarily decide on a cat, but I know if I brought one home, everyone would become agreeable.
And if they aren’t, that’s too bad, because there’s already one rolling around on my sneakers, giving me a view of a grey striped belly.
“Oh, hey!” Maeve exclaims. “Alvin likes you! That’s a great sign.”
I crouch down to gently pet the grey tabby cat, stroking under its chin. A rumble of a purr vibrates in his throat as he slowly blinks at me, content.
At least one of us is calm.
I’m trying not to hop over the front desk and run to find Blair. Her scent still lingers in the air, floral and sweet and breathtaking, and it’s difficult to keep my composure.
But Maeve already has her suspicions about why Blair is acting so weird, and I can’t imagine how awkward it would be for me to outright say that her coworker is my scent match.
So, I somehow have to play it cool and not act like I’m about to claw through the drywall to get to Blair.
“So, like I said, we always ask a couple of questions to our potential adopters,” Maeve says when I stand back up, smiling softly. “The first and most important one. Why do you want a cat?”
“What?”
“Why do you want a cat?” she repeats.
“I mean, why does anyone want a pet?” I look at her, confused, and her smile falls.
“No. Why do you, specifically, want a cat? Why not a dog? Or an iguana?”
“Or an iguana?” I repeat. “Why do I want a cat over an iguana?”
I’ve never been asked that type of question before, but I’ve also never been to a cat rescue.
Maybe this is normal.
Or maybe, I blacked out after finding my scent match and am hallucinating having a wild conversation with Blair’s coworker.
“Okay, here’s an example answer,” Maeve chirps, pointing to herself. “I prefer cats because of their demeanor and temperament. I would want a cat because they’re independent enough to be left alone for hours on end while I work but still offer companionship and cuddles.”
I nod. “What you said. All of that. Because of all of that.”
She narrows her eyes. “That’s not an answer.”
I’m hallucinating, for sure.
“Okay,” I say, nodding. “I am looking for a cat because my pack and I could use the companionship. Like you said, cats are independent enough to not need constant interaction but would make good company when they feel like it. Is that enough?”
That’s all I’ve got, really. I want a cat. I plan on taking care of the cat. If any vet bills come up, my pack and I will pay them, as well.
What more does this girl want?
“Maeve, come on,” a sweet voice says behind me. “I think that answer is fine.”
And there she is, my scent match, Blair, coming to stand beside me. Her scent isn’t as strong as before, but it still takes sheer force of will to not pull her to me and wrap my arm around her waist.
I drink in the sight of her up close.
She’s perfect.
Her skin is sun-kissed and radiant, and her heart-shaped face is accentuated by full lips and startling piercing hazel eyes.
Beautiful.
Perfect.
Mine, my inner Alpha growls. All mine.
The best part about this?
She’ll be the match for my brother, Rowan. We share practically the same scent and DNA.
She was made for us.
Which means she was made for Travis, too. I know he’s already suspected they’re a match.
This is the best fucking news of my lifetime.
“Hey,” she says politely. “Sorry about earlier. You want to see the cats?”
I stare at her a beat too long.
Does she notice our match? Is she struggling as much as I am right now?
Nothing in her face betrays her, but that display earlier shows that she suspects something.
The polite smile she wears is enough to make me clear my throat and swallow. “Yeah. Sure,” I murmur.
Great job, idiot.
Instead of asking her out or having a basic conversation about what just occurred, I’m taking a tour of a cat rescue with my scent match, who is acting like nothing is wrong.
Maybe she doesn’t sense it?
Or maybe she’s just ignoring it.
Which one is worse?
“Oh, look at you!” a cheerful voice calls from the playroom, and an older woman with grey hair comes into view, dressed in a yellow sweater with cats stitched onto it. “Who is this?” She eyes me with excitement while Blair huffs.
“Mari,” Blair mutters, a warning.
But Mari doesn’t heed it. “You have the best woman in here helping you find a cat,” she says, while Blair turns bright red. “She owns the rescue, you know.”
“I’ve heard,” I murmur, and extend out a hand to Mari. “I’m Ryland.”
“Ryland,” Mari repeats, smiling fondly at me. “How nice to meet you. I’m Mari, and that’s Blair, our cat expert. You’re in good hands, sweetie.”
I can tell this isn’t the first time that Mari has been excited to see an Alpha with Blair.
I wonder how many times the older woman has tried to play matchmaker with the Omegas here.
Luckily for Mari, it’s going to work this time.
“Can you watch the front desk with Maeve please, Mari? We could also use your help with inventory for the donations we just received. It’s an anonymous donor, again.”
“Sure thing, honey,” Mari says. “Nice meeting you, dear!” she says to me, then heads past us to the front desk.
“Sorry about that,” my scent match sighs once Mari’s out of earshot. “She likes to meddle in everyone else’s affairs. That was unprofessional of her and doesn’t reflect how we run this place.”
I shrug. “I don’t mind. Everyone I’ve spoken to has been friendly so far. Even if the pet quiz from Maeve was a little strange.”
Blair laughs, and I’m startled by my body’s reaction to the sound. My heartbeat races, and my breath catches. Her joy is beautiful.
“Maeve means well, too. When someone comes in to adopt, we want to make sure they don’t have any intention of returning them unless absolutely necessary,” she explains. She turns the knob to the door of the playroom, and I follow her inside.
Immediately, I’m greeted by chaos.
Through the glass door, I had noticed kittens playing and running around in blurs of fur. But once I step inside, a chorus of mews sound from all of them, and a plethora of kittens trot my way.
I can’t help but smile. I crouch down and am met with a bunch of pink noses rubbing against my hand and exposed bellies ready to be pet.
“They think you have treats,” Blair informs me fondly. “They’ll leave you alone once they realize you don’t.”
An orange-and-cream-colored cat has decided my hand is the treat, and tiny fangs chomp on my palm while their feet kick at me, similar to a rabbit.
“That’s a very good sign,” Blair adds. “You’re a natural with them.”
I look up at her, studying her expression. She’s polite, but still slightly guarded and unsure. Her scent isn’t as strong as before, but it’s still tantalizing and delicious.
Yet she doesn’t look at me like I’m her match. She looks at me like a stranger that’s hoping to adopt a cat.
Maybe she doesn’t realize we’re scent matches.
Maybe her leaving so abruptly earlier had nothing to do with me at all.
The thought makes me sick.
Am I the only one who realizes what’s happening here?
How do I even approach that conversation?
“Hi, I heard you were hot and wanted to meet you. Also, I wanted a cat. Oh, and hey, did you know we’re scent matches, too?”
That’s not going to fly.
“Are all these guys available for adoption?” I ask instead.
She nods. “Every cat here is. We recommend adopting kittens in pairs, but if you’re looking for adult cats, depending on their temperament, you can just adopt one.”
I release the kitten that was feasting on my hand and raise an eyebrow. “Wow. There are more rules than I thought.”