Page 107 of Written in Scent

Sophie’s words tumble out fast and urgent. “She’s having a heat spike. It’s bad. She needs her apex. Please, Alex, she needs you.”

I try to speak, to tell them I’m OK, but the darkness pulls me under for a terrifying minute. The last thing I feel is Sophie’s hand checking my pulse and the distant sound of Alex’s voice promising they’re already on their way.

The call with Sophie ends but I’m already moving. My phone slides back into my pocket before Chase and I even reach the front door. Every apex instinct I possess roars to life with a single, deafening demand.

Get to Elodie. Get her safe. Get her home. Get her to her nest.

I keep my voice as calm as I can. “We’re taking the truck. I’m driving.”

Chase is right beside me, matching my stride with no hesitation. His jaw is locked tight, his massive frame radiating the same protective urgency I feel. We move like we’ve trained for this moment, even though we never have. Not like this.

Inside, my instincts are louder than they’ve ever been. This spike is serious, I could hear it in Sophie’s panicked voice when she said Elodie passed out. If I’m being honest it sounds less like a spike and more like a full on heat.

The guilt from our conversation the other night still sits heavy in my chest, but I shove it down hard. I don’t have time for guilt.

We reach the truck in seconds. I slide behind the wheel while Chase climbs into the passenger seat. The engine roars to life before our doors are fully closed. I reverse out of the driveway with controlled precision, hands unshakable on the wheel even as my blood burns with the need to reach her.

“Call Jamie,” I say, voice level. “Tell him exactly what we need at the house. I’ll call Adrian.”

Chase nods once, already pulling out his phone. His pine and musk scent fills the cab, thick with the same fierce protectiveness I feel. We are moving as one, as a pack, ready to bring our omega home.

The guilt still lingers in the back of my mind, but I push it aside. Right now, only one thing matters.

Getting to Elodie.

I keep one hand on the wheel and dial Adrian on speaker the second we hit the main road. The truck cab fills with the low ringtone for only two seconds before he picks up.

“Alex,” he says, voice already sharp and focused. “I heard from Sophie. How bad is it?”

“Bad enough that we’re on our way to get her now,” I answer, keeping my tone level even as my instincts push harder. “Contact Professor Okonkwo immediately. Tell her Elodie will not be going on the rainforest trip. Medical emergency. Keep it professional and brief. No details beyond that. We will handle the rest once she is home. It doesn’t sound like a spike, Adrian.”

Adrian doesn’t hesitate. His calm, analytical tone is exactly what I need right now. “Already pulling up her contact. I will call her the moment we hang up. She will understand. Elodie’s safety comes first.”

The relief of having him on it is immediate. Adrian always handles the logical, operational parts of pack life with the same efficiency he brings to his lab work. I trust him completely.

At the same time, Chase is already on his own call in the passenger seat. His deep voice rumbles through the truck as he rattles off a rapid list to Jamie.

“Extra cooling cloths, the softest blankets we have, more electrolyte water. Grab the lavender spray she likes and anything that smells like us. Make sure the nest is ready and the room is dark. We’ll bring her straight there.”

I feel the weight of canceling the trip settle heavy in my chest. She worked so hard for that spot. She wanted it so badly. The guilt from our conversation the other night still sits there too, constantly replaying. I know we were right to worry about the risk, but that doesn’t make it easier to be the one taking this away from her.

I push the guilt down again. There will be time for feelings later. Right now, we need to focus.

Chase ends his call with Jamie and glances at me. His jaw is still tight, but his voice is collected when he speaks. “House will be ready by the time we get back. Jamie is already heading to the store.”

I nod once, eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Good. We’re almost there.”

The truck eats up the distance between us and our omega, and every mile feels both too long and too short. My instincts roar louder with each passing second, but my hands stay calm on the wheel. I am her apex. I will get her home.

We pull up in front of Elodie’s dorm building and Chase is out of the truck before the engine fully stops. I’m right behind him, his big frame moving with the same urgent purpose. The RA at the front desk starts to protest the second we push through the doors, but one look at Chase’s size and my authoritative stare is enough to make the beta step aside quickly.

Sophie’s already waiting at the door to their room. She yanks it open the moment she sees us, relief flooding her face. “Thank God you’re here.”

I step inside and my gaze lands on Elodie immediately. She’s on the floor, pale and trembling, curled in on herself. Her cat is right there with her, the little gray tabby pressed close to her side as if standing guard.

The sight of the cat stops me for half a second. Mittens? The same stray Chase was feeding all last year? The same one he worried over when it disappeared? It hits me all at once. Mittens became Noodle. And now this cat is watching over our omega like it knows exactly what she needs.

The realization is insane and strangely right at the same time, but there’s no time to dwell on it.