Page 108 of Written in Scent

Elodie looks up at us, her blue eyes glassy with pain. “Go away,” she whispers, voice weak but stubborn. “I don’t need you here. I can handle thi—”

The words barely leave her mouth before a heat cramp hits. She doubles over with a sharp gasp, arms wrapping tight around her middle as her body seizes. The scent of her blooms stronger in the small room, sweet and desperate, and my instincts surge forward like a wave I can’t hold back.

Chase and I drop down beside her at the same time. I reach for her first, one hand unwavering on her back while the other brushes damp hair from her forehead. “We love you,” I tell her, voice low and steadfast. “We are here. We want to protect you. Let us help you through this, sweetheart.”

Chase’s big hand rests carefully on her knee, his touch grounding despite his size. “We’ve got you, Elodie. You don’t have to do this alone.”

She trembles between us, caught between the pain and the fight she is still trying to win. Noodle stays pressed against her side, purring loudly as if she understands more than any of us ever could.

Elodie’s tears come fast now, silent at first and then with broken sounds that twist something deep inside my chest. She curls tighter on the floor, arms wrapped around herself as if she can hold the pain back by sheer will.

Sophie kneels beside us, voice unyielding but kind. “You need to go with them, Elodie. They can help you. Please let them take you home.”

Elodie hesitates for one long second, then reaches out with trembling hands and scoops Noodle into her arms, giving me a small nod. The little gray tabby cuddles against her chest, purring steadily as if this is exactly where she belongs. Mittens. My mind still stumbles over that every time I look at her. Chase’s old stray is now our omega’s guardian.

Chase moves quietly and lifts Elodie’s packed trip bag from the bed, deftly slinging the strap over his shoulder. I turn to Sophie and meet her eyes.

“Thank you,” I say, meaning every word. “For calling us. For staying with her.”

She nods, eyes bright with worry and relief at the same time. “Just keep her safe.”

We guide Elodie out to the truck together. She doesn’t fight us anymore, but her steps are unsteady. Chase opens the back door and I help her settle into the middle of the seat. She curls up immediately, Noodle still tight in her arms, and whispers in a small, exhausted voice, “I want to be alone.”

Another cramp hits her before she can say anything else. She winces hard, breath catching as she presses her face into Noodle’s fur.

I meet Chase’s eyes as I slide behind the wheel. The same heavy worry I feel is mirrored right back at me. He gives one short nod, jaw tight, and climbs into the passenger seat.

I start the engine and pull away from campus, the weight of everything we’re carrying sitting solid and certain behind us on the back seat of our truck.

How did we mess this up so badly?

Alex carries me across the threshold into the pack house. I stay curled against his chest, my face pressed into the soft fabric of his shirt, while Noodle purrs insistently in my arms. The fever makes everything feel hazy and too bright at the edges, like the world has gone soft and glowing around me.

The moment we step inside, their scents wash over me all at once. Golden amber and warm vanilla. Rain on stone and crisp paper. Jamie and Adrian are already waiting just inside the entryway. The familiar combination pulls a faint whine from my throat before I can stop it.

Noodle suddenly stirs. In one fluid motion she jumps out of my arms and skitters down the hallway, leaving me without her small comforting body. I whine again at the sudden loss, the sound small and needy.

Adrian moves forward immediately. He takes me gently from Alex’s arms and pulls me close against his chest. His scent wraps around me like cool mist after rain, grounding and safe. I sigh and melt into him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his sweater.

The rest of the pack closes in around us. Chase steps behind me, his large presence solid and wanted. Jamie moves to my side, his hand brushing lightly down my arm. Alex stays close at my other side, his dark cedarwood scent unwavering. Together they create a protective circle of warmth and familiar scents that sinks deep into my fevered skin.

Adrian’s arms hold me close, one hand stroking slow circles along my back. He leans down and presses a soft kiss to the top of my hair, his lips cool against my fever flushed skin.

“I spoke with Dr. Okonkwo right after Alex called,” he murmurs, voice close. “I explained that you had a medical emergency and wouldn’t be able to go on the rainforest trip.”

I feel the words settle over me, my chest exploding with pain at the realization that it’s done. I won’t be going.

The fever makes everything hazy, but I still hear the care in his tone, the way he chose his words so carefully for me.

Adrian continues gently. “She was very understanding. She said they will figure out a way for you to join an expedition later this year. The opportunity isn’t gone, Elodie. Just delayed.”

I blink up at him through the haze, my voice small and hopeful. “Really?”

He nods, his green eyes tender. “Really. We’ve looked after everything. The timing was out of our control, but we love you. We’ll make sure you are supported now and after your heat.”

Relief washes through my chest, loosening some of the tight knot that has lived there for days.

Later this year… I can still go on an expedition. I can still have the rainforest, the insects, the work that makes my heart feel full.