Chapter 7: Ember

Chapter

Seven

EMBER

I curl up tighter in the window seat, pulling the scratchy blanket closer around my shoulders. The coffee Mason brought me has gone cold, but I sip it anyway, grateful for the bittersweetness on my tongue. Outside, the snow continues to fall in thick, heavy flakes, blanketing the world in white.

It's beautiful, in a terrifying sort of way.

My phone buzzes and I fumble to unlock it with fingers that feel clumsy and too warm. Taylor's name flashes on the screen. This is the only place in the building I get decent signal, but the guys have been content to let me hog it so far. That, I'm grateful for.

All roads in and out of town are closed ugh.

:(

They've declared a state of emergency. Looks like you're stuck for at least a day or two.

Are you sure you're ok?

I type back quickly.

I’m fine. We have heat, food, and drinks.

My thumb hovers over the send button, and I find myself hesitating.

Should I tell her about the pack?

About them being my...

No. I can't even think the words.

It's too much, too soon. And maybe if I don't say it out loud, it won't be real.

Yeah, right. All I can think about are their scents, swirling into a heady combination that shouldn't work but somehow smells like a candle that would sell out immediately if it ever hit shelves.

I hit send without mentioning it.

Taylor's next message comes through almost immediately.

Are you sure you're safe with those alphas?

I glance up, my eyes finding the four of them huddled together across the room again. They're talking in low voices, shooting concerned looks my way every few seconds. It should be annoying, but instead, I find it... oddly comforting?

They've all been gentlemen so far.

… Surprisingly lol

"Most of them, anyway," I mutter under my breath.

Okay, good!

Keep me posted, please?

I will. Promise.

Then a shadow falls over me.

I look up to see Carter—the quiet one—standing there, holding out another steaming mug. His dark eyes are soft, concerned, and I feel a flutter in my stomach that has nothing to do with hunger.

"Thanks," I say, my voice coming out raspier than I intended. I clear my throat. "But if I consume any more caffeine, I'm going to take off into space."

A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. "It's just cocoa," he says, his voice low and soothing. "But I should warn you, the box says it technically expired last week."

I can't help but laugh. "I think I'll live," I say, taking the mug from him. Our fingers brush, and I feel a jolt of electricity shoot up my arm. I take a sip quickly, hoping he didn't notice my reaction.

Carter lingers, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. There's an awkwardness to him now that wasn't there before, and I brace myself for whatever's coming next.

"I, uh... I wanted you to know," he starts, then pauses, running a hand through his hair. "We were talking, and... we can tell you're going into heat."

I feel my face flush hot, even though I knew they'd be able to smell it. Hell, I can feel it myself—the warmth spreading through my body, the heightened awareness of every alpha scent in the room. Dark chocolate, woodsmoke, mint and snow, salted caramel... It's intoxicating, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have not to bury my face in Carter's neck and breathe him in.

"I checked the first aid kits," Carter continues, his voice gentle. "There's no sign of suppressants, but I can show you if you want to look for yourself."

I blink, surprised by the offer. "I... thank you," I say, meaning it. "I believe you."

He nods, then takes a deep breath. "We've talked about it, and... if you'd be more comfortable, we can go out to the lobby. Give you some space."

For a moment, I'm speechless. It's the last thing I expected any of them to offer, let alone all of them. The omega in me whines at the thought of them leaving, but I push that instinct down hard.

"That's... that's not necessary," I find myself saying, even as a part of me screams that it absolutely is necessary, that I can't trust them, that I can't trust myself around them.

Carter's eyebrows raise slightly, but he doesn't comment on my response. Instead, he asks, "Is there anything else you need? Anything we can do to make you more comfortable?"

I shake my head, not trusting my voice. Not trusting myself to blurt out the answer the instinctive part of me has already come up with. He nods and turns to go, but I reach out, catching his wrist before I can stop myself. His skin is warm under my fingers, and I feel that spark again, stronger this time.

"Why are you being so nice?" I blurt out. "All of you. You don't even know me."

Carter looks down at where my hand is still on his wrist, then back up to meet my eyes. There's an intensity in his gaze that makes my breath catch.

"You're our mate," he says simply, like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Our omega. Even if you decide you don't want us, we'll still protect you. It's just how we're wired."

I let go of his wrist, my hand falling limply to my side. "I don't need protecting," I mutter, but there's no real heat behind it.

Carter's lips quirk up in a small smile. "I believe you," he says. "But the offer stands, all the same."

He turns to go again, and this time I let him. As he walks away, I can't help but watch the way his shoulders move under his shirt, the confident stride that speaks of years of athletic training. I force myself to look away, focusing instead on the snow outside.

But I can still feel his presence, can still smell his scent—dark chocolate, rich and tempting. It mingles with the others, creating a symphony of scents that calls to something deep inside me. Something I've spent years trying to ignore.

I pull out my phone again, desperate for a distraction. But as I stare at the screen, I realize I have no idea what to say to Taylor. How do I explain any of this? How do I put into words the way my world has shifted on its axis in the span of a few hours?

So instead, I set the phone aside and take another sip of cocoa. It's sweet and comforting, but it does nothing to soothe the heat building inside me. A heat that has nothing to do with the temperature in the room and everything to do with the four alphas who keep stealing glances at me from across the room.

My mates. The thought sends a shiver down my spine, equal parts excitement and terror.

I'm not ready for this.

I don't want this.

Or do I?

I close my eyes, trying to center myself. One breath in, one breath out. Just get through the night, I tell myself. Just get through this heat, and then... then what?

I don't have an answer for that. So instead, I open my eyes and stare out at the snow, watching as it erases the world I knew, leaving only uncertainty in its wake.