Page 115 of Talk About… Dramay
When Cameron and I had shared my nest before the breakup, I’d still had small doses of suppressors to keep the edge off and plenty of birth control because we did not need a baby at that point in our lives.
“Do you want to eat something?” Tate asked when I’d been silent for too long.
The thought of it had bile rising in my throat, and I shook my head.
“Are you still cold? Why are you shaking?” he questioned. Then his hand went to my forehead, and he cursed.
“Oriana, you’re on fire.”
“Shit,” Hudson said, coming over to feel for himself. His fingers were almost icy against my heated flesh, and then I tensed again as another wave of cramps hit me.
“I thought you were struggling with the conversation. Are you tensing because you’re in pain?” Tate asked. He sounded angry and I curled in on myself even more. My instincts were running higher now and words were hard to find.
My only answer was to whimper as another cramp hit me, this one even more painful than the last.
Embarrassment hit me at the same time and a sob broke free. I hated that I hid something from them. Especially, after we all worked so fucking hard to make this pack strong.
“We have to go,” Tate said as he scooped me up, wrapping the blanket around him. “Come on, boy,” he gave Henry a whistle, who dutifully followed behind us while Hudson put out the fire and collected the chairs.
As if the idea of heading home to my other pack was enough to calm it, some of the cramps eased off, and my head felt a bit more normal. I still focused on petting Henry and breathing aswe hurried home, Tate breaking just about every speed limit law as we made our way through the quiet streets.
When we finally parked, they were quick to climb out and help me out. Tate took Henry, while Hudson pulled me into his arms.
There was a strange scent in the air, and I wrinkled my nose as I breathed it in. The omega inside of me cringed a bit.
This wasn’t the smell of home, of our pack.
It was wrong.
“What is that?” I managed before clawing at Tate’s shirt when he stopped in front of us. He happily handed it over, and I pressed the soft material to my nose, breathing in him instead of that weird chemical scent. His winter scents were now mixed with a hint of campfire.
My omega loved it, temporarily forgetting the awful smell in the air until I heard footsteps approaching.
“You guys are home,” Cameron said as he moved down the stairs. He was also shirtless and covered in sweat. That was enough for me to growl and fight against Hudson’s hold.
My alpha dropped me to my feet, and I practically flung myself at Cameron. His scent was stronger thanks to the sweat on his skin. That alpha musk intense and heady, making me whimper as I soaked it in with deep breaths.
My core ached, wishing they were filling it, but the need to breathe him in was currently stronger.
“Oh shit,” Cam cursed. “Heat?”
I knew it wasn’t a question for me, so I ignored it as I clung to him like he was my lifeline, breathing him in.
I knew I probably looked like a psycho.
“Let’s go upstairs, Baby.”
I nodded against him, and he turned and carried me upstairs. The smell was even stronger here, creeping around the edges of Cameron’s scent.
Before I could say anything, Cameron was quick to explain.
“Please don’t be angry, but Lane, Roman, and I have been working on a little project for you. We understand if you need more time than this. We just wanted to try to make sure it was an option. Even if you don’t take it, no one will be upset. Do you understand me, omega?”
I tried my best to focus on Cameron. It took a couple tries, but eventually, I was able to lock my eyes on his hazel ones, nodding my head.
“Good girl,” he said, brushing a kiss over my forehead before also dropping me to my feet. I wanted to argue, to cling to him, but I was pulled into someone else’s arms.
I breathed in the hint of apple, vanilla, and a splash of lemon—Lane.