Page 57 of Ember

“Like being possessed,” she said with a grin.

Ben and I laughed at the same time. “Yes, just like that.” Some of the dread left me. We were going to get through this conversation without me feeling like a colossal failure.

Ember rummaged around the side table. “It’s like intuition. I’m really good at reading tarot cards. We should totally do a group spread.”

“A group spread sounds great,” Ben muttered, and Ember’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink.

The door opened, and in stepped a male omega. It had to be West; he smelled like milk and honey. He wore a collared shirt and khakis, like an investment banker. He was Asian American, and had silky black hair pulled into a braid. He paused. “I thought…”

“We’re early,” Ben said quickly. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Sure.” He glanced between me and Ben, his milk and honey scent getting sweeter.

He smelled good. I stayed still, in case he was struggling with another omega in his house, but his scowl seemed more like his regular expression than something we caused.

If Alejandro smelled half as good as West did, maybe having three omegas wouldn’t be an issue.

I prayed to the gods above and below that I didn’t do anything to screw this up.

Chapter 22

West

The mystery of why Ember was all in her feelings and hormones about Ben and Rian disappeared the second I laid eyes on them.

For crying out loud, they smelled like a Scottish highland. Ben’s spicy dark woods with a sharp berry scent, merged with Rian’s amber and moss scent. Ember joked that they smelled like an Evermore West song, but my omega wasn’t actually wrong.

I put my laptop bag down on the coffee table, unsure what to do next. Ben had sandy blond hair that was tousled, and Rian had shaggy blondish brown hair that hit his shoulders.

I briefly considered sliding between the two of them, just to see what my scent would do with all those spicy earthy notes.

Ember gave me a kiss, pulling away only to rub her cheek over mine. I smiled at her. My girl was claiming me in front of them. Again. It wasn’t necessary, I knew she wouldn’t leave me for them, but it was nice to feel wanted.

Instead of being jealous, Rian looked hungry. Sweet amber grew stronger, and Ben let out a breath. “All three of you smell amazing together.”

Like Ember, I’d assumed meeting the bonded pair would result in them leaving. Ember would be sad, but I could make her feel better.

Now I understood why she was so twisted up. They smelled amazing. Better than amazing. Like the scents of home, nest, and sex all rolled together.

I was still getting used to craving Alejandro, and now here were two more men I’d have to navigate around.

My omega instincts screamed at me to scent mark both of them. Keeping a cool head would be hard with instincts I thought I’d buried rising to the surface.

I realized I was staring and headed into the kitchen. “Thirsty? Hungry? Alejandro cooked last diner.”

I didn’t miss the proprietary note in my voice when I said Alejandro’s name, but I didn’t expect to feel so possessive of him either.

I wasn’t the best at sharing. But I’d have to try.

Like I’d summoned him, Alejandro came through the door next. It was funny; his reaction was almost a repeat of when I came in. The shock, the introductions. Alejandro scented both alpha and omega, looking at me and Ember, and then his scent got stronger.

Ben wiped his brow in mock relief. “Glad you’re here. I was outnumbered.”

Alejandro gave Ben a quick grin. “Pretty sure we’re still outnumbered, alpha.”

“True, true. Whatever shall we do?” Ben cocked his head. “Ember, you’re quiet over there.”

The scents in the living room mingled until it was a heady cocktail.

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