6 the house with all the flowers
I’m shaking by the time I pull up at his address, but I take a few deep breaths and try to calm myself before I get out of the car. Those fucking pamphlets feel like an anchor that I can’t release, even though I haven’t looked at them.
Gray’s house doesn’t look like what I expected.
I knew it was his parents’ old house, because Dad told me, just like I knew he was renovating it.
I don’t know what I was expecting. It’s very run down and at the end of a cul-de-sac I have no reason to drive in, otherwise I would’ve seen it before.
And even though the house is visibly falling apart, there are rich, budding flower beds out front.
Not fully fledged, but obviously freshly planted and healthy enough to fill the air with the scent of green.
I take a deep breath as soon as I step up to the porch, and it’s the least nauseous I’ve felt in hours.
I guess he planted them first when he moved back.
I don’t know when his parents left, or passed away, only that they’re gone, so I have no idea if they were living in the house like this or if it’s run down because Gray’s been gone for so long.
All this time I’ve been hearing about Gray, and for the first time it occurs to me that if his parents’ house is here, Gray probably grew up here.
Which means he and Dad must have known each other before the military, but I’ve never heard any of those stories.
I’d probably be more curious if I weren’t so overwhelmed with my own problems right now.
I try to silence the static and focus on my mission. It’s time to tell Gray that this is his fault. He started this, with his mind games and his alpha scent magic, and I need him to…
I need him to make it stop, but I know deep down that he can’t. He doesn’t have any more control here than I do. But I don’t have anywhere to go, and I’m pretty sure yelling at him will make me feel better for a few minutes, so that’s what I’m tethering my fragile sanity to.
The sound of me knocking on the door splits the air like thunder. Or maybe that’s my incredible, teeth-chattering nerves making everything more dramatic. My stomach cramps again like it did this morning, but I do my best to ignore it.
There’s some rustling, but after a minute, I hear heavy footsteps and smell a hint of cinnamon as Gray makes his way to the door. He stares at me calmly, standing in the doorway.
“You don’t look surprised to see me.”
He nods. “I smelled you when you walked up and knocked,” he says, taking a step back but not quite inviting me in. “Are you alright?”
“That’s creepy.” I fidget a little despite myself, feeling awkward just standing here on the porch.
Gray shrugs, but despite the casual attitude, I can see the way his nostrils are flaring, scenting the air around me.
“Get used to it. That’s life when you’re an alpha. Or an omega,” he says, nodding towards me.
I see we’re not beating around the bush anymore.
“That,” I say, pointing at him. “That’s why I’m here. I need you to cut that shit out. You and your bullshit theories have already fucked me up enough, and if you start taking them to Dad, it’ll all get so much worse.”
Gray tenses, suddenly taking up more space in the doorway as he draws himself into a true alpha stance in seconds.
“Tanner, are you afraid of him? I knew he would probably have some shitty things to say, but if you’re really afraid of him, this is a whole different?—”
“He’s not going to hit me,” I cut him off, not willing to watch himself get worked up about nothing.
He’s not going to hit me. Probably. Most likely.
“Especially if you keep your shitty takes to yourself and don’t cause problems for me,” I add.
Gray doesn’t look convinced, crossing his arms over his chest and studying my face in that intense way I’m already getting used to.
“I haven’t said anything to him, and I won’t. I want to make sure you’re safe. I promise, omega.”
“Don’t call me that!”
I’m so loud I startle myself, and look around us quickly, realizing it would be even worse if I make a scene for everyone else in town to gossip about.
“Quick. You better let me inside before everyone else on your street realizes I’m standing here and pulls out their binoculars.”
Gray winces. “Good point. Come in.”
I step inside, and there’s a moment where I’m closer to him than I expected, and his scent is almost overwhelming. Just as steady and calm as before, but so… strong. All-encompassing.
It forces me to hustle past him until I’m deeper into the house but away from him, standing in a slightly shabby living room full of renovation supplies and drop cloths, with a worn but plush dark blue couch sitting in the middle.
Gray, for what it’s worth, stays far away from me as well.
He moves away from the exit so he’s not standing between me and it, which makes me unclench a little, even though I’m sure it wasn’t deliberate.
There’s a kitchen island off to the side of this open-plan kitchen/living situation, which he leans against, his arms still crossed and his biceps looking like they’re about to burst out of his stupid shirt.
“I promise I’ll cover for you however I can. But I need you to take this seriously. This is real, Tanner. The smell of it is getting stronger, and you’re running out of time to prepare. Figure out how to tell Frank before he can smell it on you, too.
Find an alpha that’s safe to be around when that change really picks up. I read that omega presentation is like a mini heat. The last thing you want is for it to happen in public. You can do this, Tanner.”
He sounds so goddamn sincere I almost sob. My mind is still stuck on a loop of the thought that this can’t be happening, but his calm repetition of it like it’s a done deal is making that harder to maintain.
It’s even harder to focus with that damn cinnamon and clove smell absolutely everywhere. I’ve never been sensitive to smell like this. I have a normal beta nose. But this feels like I’m choking on it, catching in my chest as my breathing speeds up, and that damn cramp in my stomach is back.
“This is bullshit,” I manage to spit out.
I rub my forehead, partially so I don’t have to look at his face and partly because I can feel my headache returning from the smell.
He probably assumes that I still don’t believe him, but really, it’s just the only way I can think about it right now.
I feel too dizzy to think about this all logically, but I have to push through.
“It’s not bullshit, Tanner, and you need to accept it so you can control it. You still have time to find someone safe. Take charge of your presentation and protect yourself. Fuck—” he seems to cut himself off, but I’m not sure because my eyes are still closed. “Are you okay?”
Footsteps move toward me before stopping abruptly, and the sound of Gray taking a deep breath and scenting the room louder than it should be.
“Oh, shit,” he whispers, and I finally force my eyes open through the pain.
“What?”
It’s too bright in here. It wasn’t a minute ago, but it’s hurting my eyes now, and I have to squint to look at him.
And Gray looks stressed. I didn’t think he knew how, but there’s tension running through every inch of him now, with his hands out in front of him again and his mouth open a sliver as he scents the air.
“What’s wrong with you?” I ask him when his scent takes on a bitter note.
“Do you feel okay? What do you feel?”
“My head hurts,” I wave my hand around. “It’s just the smell. It’s so strong in here. I’m used to living with alphas, but are you pissing on the walls or something? It’s giving me a headache.”
“Do you feel anything else?” he asks, taking a hesitant step towards me.
“A little nauseous, maybe. Or dizzy.” I don’t understand the point of the questions. I’ve felt like shit all fucking day, it’s getting worse now because this room is so stuffy. “I need some fresh air. Could we open a window or something?”
Gray takes a deep breath before he answers.
“The windows are open, Tanner. And I promise, it doesn’t smell that strongly in here. I think this is you. I thought I smelled it on you when you came in, but I wasn’t sure. Now it’s pouring out of you. I practically feel you changing in front of me. Fuck. You still have time.
Do you have any friends? An alpha you trust to keep you safe? I don’t think being around Frank would help right now, and this could take days to be done. Having a comforting alpha to scent will help.”
I’m trying to process what the fuck he’s saying, but he keeps talking while I don’t answer. I start to pace a little, like I can work this feeling out of my body if I just try hard enough.
“I can keep you safe, but it’s not the same as someone you know. Give me your phone and a name. I’ll have them come get you.”
I close my eyes again, partly against the light, and partly because the level of genuine concern etched on his face is lowkey terrifying right now. This is happening, whether I accept it or not. And I have literally no one to call.
My stomach cramps again, harder, and I double over with the pain. Adrenaline floods through me, making my blood fizz.
“I don’t like this,” I say, choking on the words, even though it’s stating the obvious.
“I’m sorry, Tanner,” Gray sounds so genuine, but also so far away. I don’t understand how he smells so strong from all the way on the other side of the room. “Please, just tell me who to call to come get you.”
I laugh as much as I can with my stomach cramping like this.
“I’m not exactly popular around here. Shocker, I know. But everyone in town either loves my dad and therefore thinks I’m weird, like he does, or they think my dad’s an asshole, so I must be just like him. And now I don’t even have Atlas.”
I can sense when Gray’s heart rate picks up, even though I’m not sure how.
“Okay. Shit. Okay. And your other brothers don’t seem any better than your dad. I can… Do you want me to call him? Do you want me to take you to a hospital? What’s going to make you feel safe, Tanner?”
He sounds desperate, and it’s the most genuine emotion I think anyone’s ever shown for me. I wish he wasn’t so far away from me. I may not know him, but fear is settling deep into my bones and I feel fucking cold and alone.
I’m still aware enough for humiliation to curl inside me when I audibly whimper, but I can’t stop myself.
Peeling my eyes open reveals Gray standing there still, looking just as desperate as he sounds.
“Can you please…” I trail off, my hands opening and closing in the air in front of me because I need something, but I don’t know what it is.
I suck in a deep breath, even though my chest is starting to get tight.
“Can you please stand closer? I don’t know what’s happening and I’m fucking scared, Gray.”
He blows out a slow, controlled breath, and I can see the stiffness in his body as he thinks about it.
“I have excellent control, Tanner. For an alpha. And you’re Frank’s son. I already want to protect you so much more than I thought I would. But it would be a risk to come closer. I know you need an alpha right now, but it should be someone you know.
Preferably someone your own age that you can safely fuck to get your hormones to even out. Are you sure there isn’t anyone in town?”
I whimper again. The headache is building, and I feel my thoughts going offline as they’re all replaced by base feelings of need and want.
I don’t want to be alone right now. And Gray’s right, I don’t know him. But I trust him more than anyone else I can think of.
“Please.” I swallow hard, forcing myself to look him in the eye. “Please, alpha.”
Gray breathes in so sharply I can feel it and takes a step toward me before hesitating again. In the end, he pauses too long for me to stand it, and I take control of the situation.
It felt like a giant aching crater of space between us, but it only takes me a few seconds to cross the small room and throw my body against his.
As soon as I press my chest against him and bury my nose in his neck, taking a deep breath, everything eases.
Even though I have to stand on my toes to reach.
The cramping dials way fucking back, and some of the brain fog starts to lift.
“Help me, alpha,” I whisper into the hot skin of his neck.
He doesn’t say anything, but in a single smooth movement, Gray bends over to scoop me up in his arms before carrying me to the couch and settling us both on it.
The whole time, I never pull my nose out of his neck.
I sink into it, distantly realizing I don’t think I’ve been held like this since I was a baby.
“I’m here, omega.” His arms wrap around me and squeeze, while the even thunk-thunk of his heartbeat steadies me in every way. I’m sprawled on top of him, but he’s holding me in place so I don’t have to worry about anything and can focus on scenting him.
That same cinnamon and clove scent that was choking me before seems different when I huff it directly from his skin. Now it seems peaceful, and my body seems to settle with every breath, as Gray strokes up and down my back in gentle movements.
“I’m here. I promise I’ll keep you safe.”