Page 79 of Ember

The thought terrified me. Not that they would suddenly dump me, but the idea of caring about so many more people made it feel like my heart was walking around outside my body. Outside my control.

West took my hand. “We can call it an early night if you want.”

“I’ll let you know.” I squeezed his hand, his scent grounding me. “Are you okay?”

“Humm? I’m fine.” He shrugged. “We’ll watch an episode or two ofHorrors Untoldand then leave.”

“I mean, things are moving fast with the, uhhh, pack.” I looked out the window, at the sun setting over the ocean.

I’d asked West a couple of times if he was okay, and he said he was. And he seemed okay. Better than okay, in fact. Like he was really enjoying being around the other three, both sexually and during our snuggle time.

But I had to make sure he wasn’t just sacrificing his happiness for me.

“I’m good.” He sounded surprised. “It’s easier than I imagined it would be.”

“Right?” I perked up. “Three new people. That should be hard. Different schedules, different likes and dislikes…”

“It’s almost like being around adults who are understanding of other people’s needs makes an easier relationship,” West mused, and I laughed.

“Seriously, though, I need you to be okay.” I squeezed his hand again. “If you need more time with just the two of us at the cottage.”

“I will,” he said. “But I’m good. Glad that we can chill out without having to answer a billion questions.”

“Do you think I should tell them about my parents?” I sighed. “Soon?”

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t worry about it. They’re not going to pry, which is points in their favor. Tell them when you feel ready, not because you ‘should.’”

“You’re pretty smart.” I grinned at him.

“Not just a pretty face.” He winked and pulled into Greg’s driveway.

I braced myself, reaching for bubbly and perky. Greg’s house smelled like him, of course, the rosemary scent soapy and the patchouli musky, and after the bliss of inhaling the scent of the men I was dating, it was like a slap to the nose.

Even West wrinkled his nose before looking blank.

“Welcome, welcome.” Greg came over to both of us. He leaned in like he was going to hug me, and West handed him the big bag of chips we brought.

Sabrina and Jace were already there, and so were Susan and Richard. They were all betas with softer scents, so I mingled with them. We talked about different software updates, programming jokes, and then TV shows.

Greg inserted himself into the conversation, bringing upHorrors Untoldand showing off his very nice setup. I would have been impressed, but Ben and Rian had a much better TV and speaker system.

I exchanged a glance with West, who gave me a small nod. Yep, he was thinking the same thing. We all settled on the couch to watch the latest episode, and Greg sat next to me.

West was on my other side, by the arm of the couch, so I moved closer to West. The show started, and I tried to focus on the eldritch horrors escaping from Area X, to the shock of no one watching.

The scientists had experimented with bug and primate genes, and after some splicing they accidentally opened a rift in the time space continuum. The show smashed a lot of horror tropes together, but something about how they played it all earnestly made the show amazing and not too stupid to watch.

Greg kept moving for more popcorn, or Coke, or whatever and shifting closer to me. His arm and thigh started brushing against me, and I froze. My careful scent balance was getting ruined. I moved closer to West, and he put an arm around my waist.

“Greg, scoot over,” West snapped. “I don’t think anyone wants to know what happens if Ember has to actually sit in my lap.”

Jace laughed. “Nope, that’s all you.”

“Sorry,” Greg muttered. “Didn’t mean to invade your privacy.”

West shot him a look that could have turned him to stone, but the sullen beta was watching the show. He moved over, though, and I could breathe again.

The show ended, and we chitchatted some more. Greg went downstairs to grab some movies that the creators ofHorrors Untoldwere inspired by, and I went into the kitchen for more chips and dip. I had my arms loaded, only to turn around and see Greg there.

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