Page 5 of A Pack of Cozy

"Well, we can probably just return to the Library tomorrow," I reply. Seth stares at me with an expression that asks if I'm too stupid to live.

"Connor, today is Saturday," Bax reminds me.

My brain blares to a halt. It'd primarily gone offline since the scent. On Sunday the Library won't be open. Of course it won't. In fairness to me, I don't go to the Library. That's Bax's place to be during his downtime. But I'd stopped because he'd needed me to get him some books, he'd put on hold, which I'd completely forgotten about in my scent haze.

"Okay, Monday," I say through gritted teeth. Going a whole day without finding out who the mystery omega is feels like agreeing to torture, but I don't have any other choice. She won't be at the Library when it's closed, and I don't have any other leads.

"Shit!" Seth is back on his computer, looking at his calendar. "That's the day we have the Gala in Traverse City."

Our various locations have been announced as closed for Monday, and we've rented out a historic building downtown for a free gala, including food, spirits, giveaways, and games for every staff member. It will be all afternoon. We've made it a luncheon so that no one is stuck driving at night. We'll be home by the end of the day on Monday, but not before the Library closes. We haven't been to the Café in the last week because of the Gala, and we won't be in until Wednesday at the earliest, with all we have to do before and after the event.

I stare at him. "So cancel it!" I practically bark, but curb it at the last minute. We don't bark at each other. Besides the fact that the command probably wouldn't work, it's considered rude at best and abusive at worst. There are many packs with one dominant alpha. Usually an older alpha with the most strength and dominance, which only increases with age. But our pack formed naturally around mutual dominance. None of us are more dominant than the others. It's rare, but it happens, kind of like scent-sensitive omegas that way.

Seth cringes. He's a people-pleaser and despises telling people no or disappointing them.

Bax quickly takes that mantle instead. "We can't, and we shouldn't even if we could. Several of our teams have arranged childcare and traveled today to make a three-day weekend out of it." I want to punch something. Bax stands up and clasps me on the shoulder. "We will find the omega. It's doubtful they go to the Library every day anyway. We'll go into town on Sunday and see if we scent her anywhere else. If not, we'll continue searching when we return from the gala."

Because this is a scent-sensitive match, as my pack, if they scent the omega they'll know.

Now, I can't hold back the crack in my voice. "What if we miss our chance? What if this omega is an out-of-season tourist, and we never scent them again?"

Bax meets my eyes. "We cannot control that. Focus on what we can control."

I nod, but the sinking pit in my stomach feels like a lead spike, twisting and turning, slicing me deeper into hopelessness. My alpha is restless, the storm of his emotions reflecting my turmoil. He wants to run, fight, and tear apart every home, hotel, and rental from here to the Upper Peninsula in search of them. And while the others seem calm, they haven't experienced the gut-wrenching urgency I have. They haven't scented the omega, and until they do, they won't understand.

What if I never find the scent again? The thought makes my heart pound. If I couldn't find the owner of that scent, I might shatter completely.

Calliope

Asetofenclosedstairs leads up to the second floor of the Café's building where Clara lives. I'm relieved I didn't opt for heels with how steep the stairs are. The whole day was a whirlwind, and I couldn't decide what to wear. After work, I rushed back to my cottage, rummaging through my closet. It had been a long time since I just hung out with friends. Finally, I settled on something casual but cute, pulling on a chunky knit beige sweater over brown leggings. Still, I felt unsure about my choice. Taking a deep breath, I climb the stairs and try to shake off the anxious thoughts swirling in my mind.

The door swings open, flooding warmth out into the cold. I sigh when I realize I made the right choice fashion-wise. Clara is wearing her usual flowing dress, which looks more appropriate for a commune than a book club, but the other girls are dressed similarly to me, in sweaters and comfy pants.

Clara's apartment truly reflects her eclectic personality. The walls erupt in a riot of colors, adorned with vibrant wallpapers featuring everything from swirling galaxies to funky geometric patterns. The kitchen is a celestial realm with moon phases on the walls. In the living room, the wallpaper showcases a magnificent tapestry of wild animals—lions, peacocks, and elephants that seem to come to life.

Crystals of all shapes and sizes hang from the ceiling, catching the light and casting colorful patterns against the walls, while dream catchers sway gently from the recently opened door. Various plants thrive, adding a touch of nature to the chaos that is Clara's home. Each corner holds something unique, making the apartment feel like a whimsical treasure trove.

"I love your apartment," I tell her sincerely.

"Thanks!" She accepts the wine I offer and gestures toward the sitting area. Winnie, Rose, and Sunny are gathered around a low, round coffee table, sitting on colorful cushions that wouldn't look out of place in a yoga studio. I choose a pink cushion adorned with various symbols I don't recognize. As I try to settle onto it, I lose my balance and end up half on my back.

The other girls have the decency to pretend they're looking elsewhere. I've never been more grateful that I'm not wearing a skirt, or I'd have flashed them my daisy underwear.

"We were just getting started," Clara says as she expertly sits down and hands me a glass of the wine I brought. She places the open bottle in the center of the table, which is arranged with an assortment of cheeses, chocolates, fruit, and—to my surprise and delight—Oreos. I grab a few of them immediately, and Winnie grins at me.

"Oreos are my absolute favorite," she says.

I nod vigorously.

"We were just talking about page three hundred and eight," Clara says.

I look between them in confusion. I should've taken better notes.

However, I notice the other girls looking confused, too. Clara suddenly pulls out a copy of the book from nowhere. To my astonishment, it's filled with color-coded tabs. When she opens it, I see highlighters in various colors and notes written in the margins with different-colored pens.

Now, I love to annotate as much as anyone, but I've never seen that many tabs in my entire life. I'm wholly and thoroughly impressed, and I tell her so. Clara blushes.

"It's just a little hobby, and it helps my writing," she says.

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