Page 69 of Written in Scent

We study for another hour or so in that comfortable silence. At some point Adrian slips away to the counter and returns with a small paper bag and two fresh drinks. He sets a steaming chocolate croissant between us without making a fuss, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

I tear off a piece and the buttery flakes melt on my tongue, but I can’t stop noticing the way our knees brush whenever one of us shifts to turn a page.

Eventually a third yawn escapes me, wide and unstoppable. Adrian notices immediately. He closes his notebook with a click and turns toward me, green eyes gentle behind his glasses.

“You should head home and get an early night before classes tomorrow,” he says. “I don’t want you burning out.”

His voice is so caring, so full of concern, that the tension humming between our pressed together legs somehow feels even more vibrant.

I agree with a small nod, but I can’t bring myself to move. My laptop stays open on the table in front of me, the screen slowly dimming, while the heat of Adrian’s leg pressed against mine keeps me anchored in place.

The memory of how safely I slept in Jamie’s arms last night comes to me unbidden, how his golden amber scent and the solid beat of his heart had chased every restless thought away. The memory makes something tender and frightening bloom in my chest. I wonder, suddenly and vividly, if it would feel the same with Adrian… quiet and steady and safe in a different way. Or with Chase, all gruff protectiveness and hidden gentleness that makes my pulse race even when he is trying so hard to hold back. Or with Alex, who makes me feel seen and wanted all at once.

The realization settles over me like sunlight breaking through clouds after days of rain.

I want this. Not just one of them. I want all of them.

The thought should terrify me more than it does. I’ve spent so long convincing myself that I didn’t want a pack, that I could never be happy belonging to anyone, that biology would only ever take away my freedom. But sitting here with Adrian’s peaceful presence beside me, his leg warm against mine and his bergamot and ink scent wrapping around me, I can’t lie to myself anymore.

I want them. I want their scents tangled together in the air I breathe. I want Alex’s calm leadership and Jamie’s playful warmth and Chase’s fierce protectiveness and Adrian’s gentle intelligence. I want the safety and the chaos and the way they make me feel like I could still be myself even while belonging to them.

My heart is racing so hard I can feel it in my throat when I turn toward Adrian. “Can I have your phone for a second?”

He hands it over without hesitation, unlocking it with a quick swipe of his thumb before giving it to me. His fingers brush mine, and the brief contact feels electric. I open his contacts and add my number, choosing a blue morpho butterfly emoji to sit beside my name. When I hand the phone back, our eyes meet and hold.

Adrian glances down at the new contact and lets out a surprised laugh. “You just made it a lot easier for me to avoid the awkward ‘can I have your number’ moment. Thank you.”

The hope in his voice makes my stomach flip. I bite my lip and say, “You can share it with the full pack, if you want.”

His green eyes widen behind his glasses, alight with sudden, unmistakable hope. He searches my face like he’s afraid he might have misheard me.

I take a shaky breath. “Do you know what Alex asked me when he dropped me off earlier?”

Adrian nods slowly, hope clear and bright in his expression now.

I lean in closer, close enough that my lips brush the shell of his ear. His breath catches. My voice comes out barely above a whisper.

“I’m willing to give you all a shot.”

When I pull back, the biggest grin I have ever seen lights up Adrian’s face. He’s practically bouncing in his seat, green eyes twinkling behind his glasses and cheeks flushed with pure, uncontained joy.

We pack up our things in a happy, slightly dazed silence. Notebooks slide into bags, laptop cords are coiled, empty coffee cups are gathered.

Adrian holds the door for me again as we step outside into the late afternoon light, and the campus air feels cooler and sharper against my warm skin.

At the edge of the path I stop and turn to him. I step close, wrap my arms around his waist, and hug him goodbye. “Text me,” I murmur against his shoulder.

“I will,” he promises, voice soft and happy.

I walk away first, turning the corner of the building before I let myself stop. I lean back against the cool stone wall and press a hand to my racing heart, trying to catch my breath. The decision I just made feels enormous and terrifying and completely right all at once.

Then I hear it — Adrian’s excited voice from just around the corner. “Alex?” he says, already on the phone, the word bright with barely contained glee.

I peek back around the edge of the building just long enough to see him walking away, phone pressed to his ear, shoulders practically vibrating with happiness. I duck back quickly, pressing my lips together to hold in the smile that wants to break free.

My heart is still racing, but it feels so good. So right.

I’m glad I said yes to Adrian. He’s the one who makes me feel safe enough to be brave.