Chapter 13
When I open my door the next morning, there’s a loaf of sourdough bread and an attached note tucked into a cute pink basket.
Sitting right next to the basket is an iced coffee with a pink reusable coffee sleeve.
I squeal, picking it up to inspect the basket more closely and wondering how they guessed my favorite color.
The basket is small and constructed in a rope style, with colorful tassels all around the edge.
It’s probably something you would find in the children’s section of a store, but I love it all the same.
It’s Saturday and I don’t have anywhere to be, so I rush back inside with my treasure to read the note, noting it’s in the same handwriting as the previous one.
Before I dive in, I take a sip of my coffee and moan when chocolate and marshmallow explode across my tongue.
My favorite color and my favorite coffee flavor?
It seems like too much of a coincidence.
The bread also looks and smells incredible. I don’t know which of their pack mates is a baker, but he could do this for a living, it’s that good.
My thoughts drift back to my coffee date with Paxton yesterday and the way his scent affected me.
At the time I wasn’t really sure what to make of it, but now I’m wondering if I somehow missed something important my omega was trying to tell me, especially with his first initial being ‘P’. But that’s a question for later.
Their return note makes my heart melt. I don’t know who these alphas are, but they sure are sweet.
Maybe I should head to the craft store and call Mama on the way to pick her brain about all of this.
I’m sure she would have a better idea than I do about all of this alpha-omega dynamic stuff.
Plus, Lainey is still busy if my unanswered texts are anything to go by.
Mind made up, I slip into another pink crocheted sweater but toss on jeans and my favorite outside slippers. It’s nippy out today and I just want to be as comfortable as possible since I’m going to a new place.
My omega isn’t as fussy as some others about changes and my environment, but so many new things so close together is making my omega a little more twitchy than normal, which isn’t the most comfortable feeling.
I spent last night tucked away in my nest instead of my bedroom, needing the additional comfort the small space provides.
This craft store is just right downtown by Lainey’s mom’s store, so if for some reason I freak out and need to get back at least it’s close to my apartment.
I’m only going because I don’t have enough yarn in green or black, and I’d like to see if I can find a deeper red than what I currently have for M.
It’s interesting they’ve only given me their first initials so far, but at the same time it feels like less pressure.
I don’t know who they are, so I can be myself.
I don’t have to put on a show or be the perfect presentable omega.
I hook up my phone to the bluetooth system in my robins egg blue Bronco, smiling fondly as I run my hand over the steering wheel.
My parents surprised me with this car after graduation, and I’ve never been so excited for something in my life.
I think I cried for three days straight when they offered to have it shipped to Sunday Harbor so I could have it here at school.
Mama is the first person on my speed dial, and as always she picks up right away. “If it isn’t my long-lost daughter finally gracing me with her beautiful voice. I thought I might wither away before I ever heard from you again.”
I snort, breaking into a fit of giggles. “Mama, we talked like two days ago.”
She sighs, like the thought is pure torture. “Two days too long, Rosie Posey.”
“Well you’re in luck, because I might have news that makes up for the wait.”
Mama immediately goes on alert. “Primrose Evelyn, spill. Don’t leave a poor old woman hangin’ in suspense.”
“First of all, you’re not old.” My mom is barely forty, having had me when she was only twenty. “Second, I may have met someone? Or several someone’s… I’m not really sure yet.”
There’s a beat of silence like she’s waiting for me to say more. “What do you mean you think? Did you meet someone or not?”
So, I tell her the story. Every little thing that’s happened since I got here.
The scent on my first day of class that sent me spiraling into my first heat, meeting Paxton the very next class day, the notes from my neighbors and my suspicion that Paxton might be a part of that pack.
By the time I’m done with the story, I’ve already parked at the craft store.
“You sure don’t waste any time, Rosie girl.
” Mama cackles, drawing the attention of my dads.
I groan, not ready to have this conversation with them.
At least not until I know for sure what’s going on.
Luckily for me, she shoos them away before they can join in on the “let’s interrogate Posey” train.
“Mama!”
Her laughter finally dies down enough for her to ask follow up questions.
There’s a big part of me that’s desperate for her approval of these men, even if I don’t technically know them myself just yet.
“Posey, I’m thrilled for you honey. Meeting a scent match in your second week?
I shouldn’t be surprised, you’ve always attracted good fortune with your kind heart. ”
My brain does a record scratch. “Hold on, what do you mean a scent match?”
Her responding tone is more serious. “I can’t know for sure since I wasn’t there to see your reaction and I wouldn’t be able to scent him like you can, but what you’re describing sounds like a scent match, Rosie girl.” She pauses. “When you smelled his scent, what did it make you feel?”
All the same feelings come rushing back when I imagine Paxton’s sugary sweet saltwater taffy scent.
“My omega was already freaking out when I saw him walking towards me, but then I caught his scent and it was like my body lit up. I felt this deep seated need to bury my face into his neck so I could inhale his scent directly from the source. And being around him was as easy as breathing even though we’d just met. It felt like I had known him forever.”
I can hear the smile in her voice as she speaks, and it’s almost enough to make me forget I’m about to make scarves for four strangers I’ve never met.
“My darlin’ girl, what you just described is exactly how I felt the first time I met your fathers.
I caught their scents and that was it. We went on two dates before moving in together. ”
I balk. “Mama!”
“The rules are different for scent matched packs, Posey. But you don’t need to feel any pressure to be me.
If Paxton is your only match and you’re ready to move forward that’s great.
But if what you suspect is true and you have three other matches out there waiting to meet you, I would encourage you to take things at your pace.
Don’t let them pressure you into anything.
Just because they’re your scent matches doesn’t mean you are obligated to be with them. Do you understand me?”
“I hear you.” I whisper, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. “Hey, I need to run in and get some more yarn, can I call you later?”
“Of course! Call me anytime, day or night. You know that. We love you so much, and don’t forget to send pictures of your latest creations!”
“I love y’all too, Mama. Bye.”
Letting out a heavy breath I ignore the trembling in my hands and exit the car, determined to get what I came here for.
If I really do have four scent matches out there, I’m praying Paxton is one of them.
My omega is already attached, and all I can do is hope he really is a member of the sweet pack next door.