Chapter 5
“Why are we still just sitting here? Let’s go knock on their door!”
I don’t understand why my pack mates aren’t chomping at the bit to go find out who this omega is and if they really could be a scent match.
It feels like my entire body has been reprogrammed to only notice this scent, and my alpha is screaming at me to find the source.
Knowing they are literally right next door? I’m about to break down this damn wall.
Parker is shaking his head vehemently, and Paxton is watching him with wary eyes like one might watch a wild animal.
I ignore Park for the time being and whirl around, looking down at the more stable twin.
“Come on, man. Don’t you feel it? Our omega could be right on the other side of that wall right now. ”
I have been dying to find my omega since I was sixteen and presenting for the first time.
Growing up with an entire pack of parents in the limelight is a nightmare for some kids, but it gave me a perfect example of how to keep your omega happy when you play a professional sport.
Two of my four dads are NFL players out in Massachusetts, but every second of their free time during the season was dedicated to making my mom happy.
My goal has been the majors since I was a kid, and growing up the way I did prepared me for the realities of that level of fame.
It helps that my pack mates are some of the most supportive guys I’ve ever met.
Paxton’s teeth dig into his bottom lip, but I can’t read his expression. I’m not as good at all of the touchy-feely shit as Pax is, a fact that normally doesn’t bother me. But right now I’d give anything to have a pack bond and be able to know what he’s feeling.
He reaches a careful hand out, moving slowly so my alpha doesn’t see it as a threat.
I’m not in danger of going feral, but I appreciate the caution anyway.
I’m a big guy. I know that. I’m four inches taller than our pack lead, and half a foot taller than the twins.
His caution makes sense, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t sting a little bit.
“Mack, let’s just take a second, okay? We all need to step back and wrap our heads around this.
And absolutely nothing should happen until Jude is home and can weigh in. ”
As soon as the words leave his mouth, the front door crashes open, admitting our final pack mate.
Only… this isn’t the Jude I know. The Jude I know is methodical and composed to a fault, occasionally leaning more robot than human.
But this alpha is crazed, a frenzied energy buzzing around him that makes even me a little bit twitchy.
“Jesus fuck,” he snarls. “That scent is goddamn everywhere. I can’t escape it. ”
My eyebrows shoot up, and I see the twins mirroring the expression.
Our pack lead is riled, and we need to figure out why before something gets broken.
“Hey, Jude. You okay?” I ask quietly. I worry if I raise my voice at all he’ll take it as a sign of aggression, and since I don’t know what has him so on edge, it’s best to lead with caution.
His head whips my way, brown curls in complete disarray like he’s been running his hands through them all morning. “No I’m not okay, McKenzie. I caught a scent outside of my classroom earlier and left my class to chase it. My alpha was fully in control and I couldn’t do a damn thing to stop him.”
“Can you describe the smell?” Paxton asks, his voice even softer than mine.
Of all the members in our pack, Pax hates confrontation the most. It takes a lot to rattle our peacemaker, but even when he is, he rarely shows it.
And right now? He’s rattled and showing it, which means this is a big fucking deal.
Jude growls, his hands raking through his hair again. “It was… it was like nothing I’ve ever smelled before. Apples and something sweet. I could practically feel it sliding down my throat it was so thick in the air.”
Pax bites down on his lower lip again, rubbing one hand up and down his arm in a soothing motion. It’s something he only does when he’s feeling really anxious. “Apples and honey?” He guesses.
Jude’s mouth hangs open. Any other time I would find the look absolutely hilarious on our grumpy professor. “How did you know that?”
Paxton inclines his head, gesturing to Parkers room.
Jude stomps down the hallway, not bothering to ask for permission before he barges into our other cantankerous pack mates room.
He looses a ferocious growl, getting right up in Parkers face.
“Why the fuck is that scent all over your room, Parker Avery?”
Parker, seemingly much more calm than he was earlier, simply raises a brow and points to the wall vent.
“Don’t let him fool you with the blasé attitude,” I chime in. “When we arrived he was standing on his desk with his nose pressed to the grate huffing it like an asthmatic with their inhaler.”
None of them are amused by my commentary. Our pack lead glances at me, some of the mania receding from his dark eyes. “The scent is coming through the air vent?”
I nod, since Parker has gone back to ignoring us and Paxton is unusually quiet.
Jude sighs, some of the tension leaking from his shoulders. “Okay, so what, we just ignore it until the semester ends and then move? We won’t find another apartment until then since they’re all full. But I’m sure at least one pack will bond and then…”
“Woah, woah, wait a damn minute. What do you mean ignore it?” I blurt. My heart takes off in my chest, pounding so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if the omega could hear it from next door.
His eyes grow cold, posture stiffening until I’m sure he’ll develop a tension headache. “Exactly what I said, McKenzie. I want nothing to do with any omega, but especially not one that smells like that.” He spits the word as if the scent is repulsive, and I feel something shatter in my chest.
If this is my scent match, and Jude hates the scent, does that mean we aren’t really pack?
The thought is devastating. So much so that I feel tears gathering in the corners of my eyes before I can blink. “I’m sorry, I need to go.”
Turning around, I flee the room before they can see the tears.
This apartment is spacious for being on a college campus, but there’s nowhere I can go to think alone, so I do the only thing I can think of and head to the library, pausing briefly to snag some sunglasses.
It’s overcast outside so I might look like a douche wearing them, but it’s better than openly crying in public.
The short walk across the quad gives me time to compose myself and by the time I make it up the wide stone staircase, my eyes are dry and I feel more determined than ever to find out everything I can about our new neighbor.
And if all else fails, I’ll slip a note under the door with my name and number. Because while I may not be the smartest member of my pack, I know one thing for certain.
That omega is mine.