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But I can’t. I can’t let him draw me in like that.
“Then Erica and Lila presented as Omegas, too,” Camden goes on. “Those are my other big sisters. Ariel taught them all the tricks. The three of them got into all kinds of trouble together. I thought my dads heads were going to explode when they all snuck out to that Firebrand concert. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of them.”
I can’t help rolling my eyes at that. Everyone knows about Firebrand, the all-Alpha band who topped the charts the last few years and made headlines with their hard-partying lifestyles. Last I heard, they had smashed up a bar or something. Camden catches my expression and grins.
“Yeah, I get it. You’ve been lost in the forest, not under a rock. Anyway, Mom decided to homeschool them instead of sending them off to an Academy, so they were around when I was growing up. They used to get me to lie for them all the time, even though our parents could see right through me. I’m still a terrible liar, for the record. Don’t tell the other guys.”
He winks at me, and I find tears pricking my eyes. He talks about his sisters the way a brother should—a little teasing, but with respect and brotherly love. They’re clearly a close knit family.
I wish I knew what that was like. Even before I presented, Grayson and I weren’t exactly close. He was older, and already working with his father to take his place in the family real estate business. Grayson had no interest in getting to know his skinny little new stepsister. Not until I had something he wanted.
Suddenly, I realize that if Camden keeps moving up my arms, he’ll get to the scar, lying right where my shoulder meets my neck. I yank my arm away from him abruptly and grab Denver’s coat.
Camden frowns at me. “Hey, did I do something? You okay, Brooklyn?”
I nod, trying to show him that it’s fine. I pull Denver’s jacket tight around me, even though I’m already too warm. Just having the jacket comforts me for some reason—like it’s armor that can protect me from the world.
At the firepit, Memphis and Denver are still watching. Denver’s thick, muscled legs are spread, and his fingers are steepled between his knees. He’s casual, yet vigilant. Memphis, on the other hand, looks alert to the point that he’s almost jumpy. He seems poised to raise his crossbow and take aim, and I can’t help but shiver when his eyes land on me.
“How about we get you some food?” Camden suggests, gesturing to the fire. “Bet you’re hungry. I promise I won’t let the other guys bug you.”
As suspicious as I still am of the other Alphas, Camden’s right. I haven’t eaten since midday and I’m starving. I’ll need to keep up my strength if I’m going to outrun the three of them. So I let Camden lead me to the fire and the mid-sized rock they’re using as a stool.
“She say anything?” Denver asks.
Camden shrugs. “She’ll talk when she’s ready.”
Memphis nods then hands me a metal tin. “Here. Dinner.”
“How come you’ll share with her but not the rest of us, huh?” Camden asks. He’s clearly trying to lighten the mood. Because right now, the mood’s about as heavy as a double decker bus. Denver’s still watching with distrust, and Memphis is straight-up glaring at me.
I decide to ignore it and open my dinner. When I pull back the lid, I practically gasp. Spaghetti with meatballs, and it’s warm. I haven’t had actual pasta since I left home. It’s such an unexpected treat that it practically brings me to tears.
Camden offers me a fork and I dig in, completely ravenous. I know it’s the culinary equivalent of a can of Chef Boyardee, but at this moment, it’s practically a five star meal to me. I’ve spent so long eating trail mix and energy bars, mixed with whatever I could forage, and having an actual dinner is decadent beyond belief. I shovel bites into my mouth at an astonishing rate.
When I’m finished, Denver just hands me another one. Their supplies must be in good shape if they’re not rationing meals yet. I automatically consider stealing more food when I run, but it’s not worth the risk.
This time, I’m able to slow down how fast I’m eating. My body is catching up with me and remembering what it’s like to feel full. I close my eyes to concentrate on the delicious taste—salty, spicy, and slightly acidic. A little moan escapes me before I even realize it.
My eyes pop open immediately, and I find all three Alphas staring at me intently, their pupils blown wide with arousal.
Beside me, Camden’s blue eyes are fixed on my mouth. Denver’s biting on his own bottom lip, like he’s trying to stop himself from saying something. Memphis’s hands are squeezed so tightly around the base of his crossbow that I think it’s possible he could manage to shatter the heavy wood.
I finally realize how badly I messed everything up.
With the mud partially washed off, there’s nothing to stop my scent from filling the clearing. My arousal is unmistakable. Slick is gathering between my legs even faster, now that I’m so close to the Alphas. They’re setting off my body’s responses, urging me toward my heat. I’ve managed to keep it under control for the past few months, but it kickstarted again the minute I caught wind of them.
I walked right into their camp like a lamb to slaughter.
For a tense moment, nobody so much as breathes.
Then, Memphis makes us all jump when he shoots up to his feet. He’s torn his eyes away from me, staring into the heart of the fire instead.
“Excuse me,” he says roughly.
His mouth is pursed, nostrils flared like he’s just smelled something disgusting. He turns on his heel and walks into the trees nearby.
heat rises in my cheeks. He smelled my slick, but he clearly didn’t like it. I thought an Omega in heat was supposed to be irresistible. Sure, if they were scent-bonded, the Omega might smell even better, but the smell was never supposed to be repulsive. Maybe it’s my diet out here in the woods, messing with my biology.
