Page 5 of Love in Excess

I grimace, tightening my grip on the wheel. I swore to myself years ago—no more relationships, no more packs, no more chasing promises that turn to ash. It’s just me and Jasmine against the world, my German Shepherd’s loyalty the only thing I trust. But their scents are like a hook in my chest, pulling at something I thought I’d buried. Scent matches.

I’ve heard of them, known they’re real, but never experienced one myself. Until now. And it’s not just one—it’stwo, a pair so perfect together I can’t even imagine where I’d fit.

The drive feels longer than the five minutes it truly is, my feet moving faster than my head as I rush up the stairs and unlock the door.

Jasmine’s waiting when I open it, one of her ears standing straight up, the other flopped to the side as she wriggles at my entrance. Her leash is dangling from her mouth, the wriggling becoming more enthusiastic as a laugh falls from my throat. She’s the one thing that makes everything better, the one thing that can quiet the outside world.

I drop to my knees and rub her head, Jasmine breathing heavier as she tries to climb into my lap. “You’re too good for me, Jazz,” I say, scratching behind her ears. She tilts her head when I sigh and lean back on my heels. “I’m a little confused right now, girl. Seems like I stumbled on a scent match. Or two. What am I supposed to do with that?”

Jasmine has been here through the last couple of relationships, one of which lasted adaywhen I found out they didn’t like dogs. When given the choice, I will always choose Jazz.Always.

She just whines, nudging the leash against my hand, and I chuckle, clipping it onto her collar. “Yeah, yeah, you’re no help.” The moment I take the leash, her nose nudges my pocket, my brows furrowing until I remember that I stuffed a few pieces of bacon in there earlier. A chuckle comes from me as I unearth the napkin, broken bits of pork falling to the floor.

Her eyes widen and she dances on her two front feet, waiting for her ‘release’ command. “Yeah, girl, go ahead.Release.” She happily laps up what is on the floor and then steals the napkin from me, chewing the entire thing without a care. At least someone is carefree and happy.

Not bothering to change, I just switch into more comfortable shoes and then lead my girl down the stairs.

Jasmine trots by my side, stopping every so often to smell a flower or chomp at a bee. She’s always been so fascinated by our little city, watching and observing but then returning to my side. It’s filled in the hole of not having a pack or a human companion but there’s still an emptiness there.

A need to be part of somethingmore.

The problem is that every time I get my hopes up, they leave.

Every.

Damn.

Time.

Why would this be any different?

HUNTER

Today was a shit show. Between the new case I’m being shut out on because I’m onprobationand Carter attacking my Omega, I need her softness to calm the raging anger billowing beneath the surface. Watching her fall apart the moment I stepped into the hospital gutted me even if I love the way she melts when I’m around.

And when they finally discharged her, I couldn’t get her home fast enough, wanting to be away from all the chemical smells and chaos.

I ease Celeste into her nest, the soft pile of blankets and pillows swallowing her slight frame. Her wide brown eyes lock onto mine, hazy and unfocused, telling me she’s not fully here. My fierce Omega, stubborn to a fault and absolutely amazing, isshaken. Things like this still rattle her, strip away her fire, and leave her raw.

She needs more than just her Alpha in these moments. She needs to give in, to let go, and I’m always happy to be that anchor, to hold her until the world makes sense again. I focus on being that strength she needs, hoping that this is just a minor setback or Carter is going to be worse than dead.

She was trembling when I got to Star Medical, her hands clutching mine, but her eyes kept drifting to the Beta paramedic who helped her.Lincoln. I didn’t understand why at first, not until he came to check on us, and his hazelnut coffee scent hit me like a freight train.

I tightened my grip on Celeste because that scent sparked something primal. Lincoln smelled delicious, and in that moment, I thought of a thousand things I wanted to do to him—only one of which was asking him to be a mate.

His golden hair, those hazel-green eyes, the quiet strength in his voice—it all stuck with me, a pull I haven’t felt in years. But now, here in our home, my focus is on Celeste, though Lincoln’s scent lingers in the back of my mind.

Celeste lets out a soft whine and sits up, her pout so irresistible I can’t help but lean in to kiss her. Her lips are warm and soft as she melts into me. Goddess, she’s adorable. “I’m not leaving, baby girl,” I murmur against her mouth, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. “Just gotta take off my clothes.”

She watches me, eyes half-lidded as I shed my jacket, my shirt falling after that. I’m glad I wasn’t in my police uniform today, a few less layers to get rid of. My jeans follow before I’m climbing into the nest beside her, Celeste making room for me.

Then she drapes herself over my side, her lean frame pressing against me as she drags me into a kiss. I run an arm around her bare waist, pulling her closer, her skin soft beneath my calloused hand. Her fingers play with my dreads, twisting them gently,and I feel her relax, her rose scent softening even further. “Tell me what happened, baby girl,” I murmur against her forehead. “You were so happy to go out with Carter this morning.”

She lets out a frustrated sigh, staying silent for several seconds. “Carter was sweet in the beginning,” she whispers. “Took me to this fancy place, oysters and all. But I ate too many and got sick so I wanted to leave. He wasn’t done, though. Kept talking, ordering more drinks. I just wanted to go home.”

I nod, knowing very well that Celeste overindulges when she’s nervous. It’s adorable most of the time but I can only imagine how she felt after so many oysters. That’s one food I won’t touch and something she tells me she hates but will eat anyway if it’s there. I pull her a little closer, nuzzling my nose across her forehead.

I trusted our open pack agreement and was all for her going on that date because she was excited, her eyes bright as she kissed me goodbye this morning. I’ve always known that she needs more than me and I’d be honored to bring someone else into this pack but hearing how Carter acted has me warring with my protective instincts. I want to keep her safe but I also want to make sure she enjoys life the way she deserves.

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