22. West
West
T he mystery of why Ember was all in her feelings and hormones about Ben and Rian disappeared the second I laid eyes on them.
For crying out loud, they smelled like a Scottish highland. Ben’s spicy dark woods with a sharp berry scent, merged with Rian’s amber and moss scent. Ember joked that they smelled like an Evermore West song, but my omega wasn’t actually wrong.
I put my laptop bag down on the coffee table, unsure what to do next. Ben had sandy blond hair that was tousled, and Rian had shaggy blondish brown hair that hit his shoulders.
I briefly considered sliding between the two of them, just to see what my scent would do with all those spicy earthy notes.
Ember gave me a kiss, pulling away only to rub her cheek over mine. I smiled at her. My girl was claiming me in front of them. Again. It wasn’t necessary, I knew she wouldn’t leave me for them, but it was nice to feel wanted.
Instead of being jealous, Rian looked hungry. Sweet amber grew stronger, and Ben let out a breath. “All three of you smell amazing together.”
Like Ember, I’d assumed meeting the bonded pair would result in them leaving. Ember would be sad, but I could make her feel better.
Now I understood why she was so twisted up. They smelled amazing. Better than amazing. Like the scents of home, nest, and sex all rolled together.
I was still getting used to craving Alejandro, and now here were two more men I’d have to navigate around.
My omega instincts screamed at me to scent mark both of them. Keeping a cool head would be hard with instincts I thought I’d buried rising to the surface.
I realized I was staring and headed into the kitchen. “Thirsty? Hungry? Alejandro cooked last diner.”
I didn’t miss the proprietary note in my voice when I said Alejandro’s name, but I didn’t expect to feel so possessive of him either.
I wasn’t the best at sharing. But I’d have to try.
Like I’d summoned him, Alejandro came through the door next. It was funny; his reaction was almost a repeat of when I came in. The shock, the introductions. Alejandro scented both alpha and omega, looking at me and Ember, and then his scent got stronger.
Ben wiped his brow in mock relief. “Glad you’re here. I was outnumbered.”
Alejandro gave Ben a quick grin. “Pretty sure we’re still outnumbered, alpha.”
“True, true. Whatever shall we do?” Ben cocked his head. “Ember, you’re quiet over there.”
The scents in the living room mingled until it was a heady cocktail.
Ember let out a breath. “I was watching the alpha male posturing.”
“Oh, my bad.” Ben hugged Rian. “Forgot we were supposed to do that.”
“Right, right, lo siento, mi corazón.” Alejandro gave Ember a kiss. “Posturing. Uhh, how about we eat some delicious food? I can show off my cooking skills.”
“Yes, food. Please. Let’s get something to eat.” Ember added, still eyeing the men in the room like she was mentally undressing all of us.
She probably was, planning out what position she wanted whom in first.
I wanted to make a dirty joke, but I figured the room would go off like a firecracker if I did. Instead, I helped set the table, and Alejandro unpacked dinner.
“How’s the matching process at Cosmic Bonds going?” I asked. I could put in an effort at conversation.
“Great,” Ben said, and looked at Ember. “I think the second date is proceeding nicely.”
Ember blushed. “Second date? This was more like trial by omega.”
“I think we passed?” Rian looked around, uncertainly.
The other male omega looked at me when he thought I wasn’t looking. I fantasized about making him present for me, kneeling and letting me take him. His pale skin would get red from arousal. My milk and honey scent got stronger.
Oh, I think we passed step one.
Ember rubbed her face on my shoulder. “I don’t know what happens next. Usually West and I fuck the alpha’s brains out, he does something stupid, and then we make him leave.”
“Stupid like…” Ben paused. “I’d like a list.”
Ember scowled. “Like acting like we’re just here for them to knot. Like we can’t do anything for ourselves. Telling us to quit our jobs.”
“Ah, so stupid alpha antics, got it.”
“Noted, mi vida.” Alejandro took Ember’s hand and kissed the back of it.
“Can we go on a date?” Ben rubbed the back of Rian’s hand. “All of us? We all like how one another smell.”
They still wanted to date. I’d half expected a massive orgy and then thanks but no thanks. Especially since Ben and Rian had been bonded for so long.
“That sounds nice,” Ember said hesitantly, glancing around the table.
“We’re boring,” I said with a warning. “We snuggle on the couch after work.”
“That’s nice,” Rian nodded. “We work long hours too and unwind when we get home. Maybe you three want to come to our house?” He sounded hesitant and hopeful at the same time. I was surprised he was letting us into his space so quickly. “We have a pool and a Jacuzzi.”
“I could do something on the grill?” Alejandro frowned, like he was already planning the menu. Cooking was definitely the number one love language for the alpha.
“That would be great.” Rian fiddled with the hem of his shirt, not quite making eye contact with anyone in the room. He seemed reserved, and part of me was glad not to be the only introvert in the room.
“Does this mean I’m not matching you with anyone else?” Ember asked, sounding put out. “Because if you’re still going to date…”
“No.” Rian looked horrified. “This is more than enough, thank you.”
Ember relaxed. Somehow, we were all still interested in one another. We were going on a date.
We had dinner and talked about our day. Rather, they talked, and I nodded at the right moments. Rian didn’t say much either, and I spent dinner scenting the people around me.
“What is that berry note?” Ember said suddenly.
Everyone looked confused, but I knew what she meant. Ben’s spicy woods and berry scent was powerful without being overwhelming, and I wondered what the berry was. Not a raspberry or strawberry, something sharper.
“Currant,” Ben said, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth. “Don’t worry, sweetheart; no one can place it.”
“Like a cranberry,” Alejandro added, patting Ember’s hand. “We don’t have them much in the United States.”
“They were actually illegal to grow for a little while, because of the rot they could bring,” Ben added. “I didn’t have a name for my scent either when it first came in.”
I listened as the conversation turned to more uncommon scent notes, and I relaxed.
I was used to it being just me and Ember, and lately Alejandro.
I waited to feel annoyed or overwhelmed with the two new additions.
But Rian was quiet, and Ben had an easygoing charm that didn’t demand to be the center of attention.
I found myself looking at the alpha and omega pair anyway. Both of them looked at Ember like she hung the moon, which was the correct response. But they sent speculative looks at me and Alejandro.
It might work. Maybe.
An emotion welled up, and it took me a minute to place it.
Hope. That we would actually have a pack. It wouldn’t just be me and Ember against the rest of the world.
I shoved the feeling back down. I knew better; I knew how many ways this could fail. I’d already experienced how people you loved could turn on you, could twist and turn that feeling.
It was too soon for hope. Hope could break me if I wasn’t careful.