Page 22 of Knot What She Seems
What would an alpha do?I ask myself in a frenetic panic.
The spider gives a horrifying little wriggle, and its nasty legs start to move as it climbs back up the string it descended on, and I can’t think of a single answer.
“Teddie?” Sam’s head pops up in the doorway because he clearly noticed I wasn’t following. “You good?”
“Yup. Yeah. I’m good,” I lie, reaching up and gripping the straps of my backpack, squeezing hard to relieve some tension as I follow my roommate through the door.
I could fucking kick myself. First night in and I was nearly “unmanned” by a spider.
I’m going to have to try a lot harder if I’m going to pull this twin switch off. Sucking in a deep breath to bolster myself, I try to regain some calm. But what happens when I step into the foyer makes all my gathered confidence scatter to the wind.
8
BRYLEE
A massive,feral beast of an alpha male stands in the middle of the foyer, just in front of the stairs. As if even the sconces on the walls are afraid to let their light touch him, he stands in a pool of shadows that only serve to enhance the sense of darkness emanating from him. Stacked with muscle that his tight black shirt doesn’t hide, he looms at least an entire foot—if not more—taller than me. But with his presence, he could be considered a giant.
My earlier thoughts about horror movies seem to be proving themselves true, because the man wears a skeletal mask over his face that’s surrounded by a black hood covering his hair and neck. His dark eyes peer solemnly at me, and his look nicks my windpipe, stealing away my breath.
But what’s even more terrifying than his appearance is his scent. His absolutely delicious, mouthwatering, coppery-earth scent. Like blood spilled onto a fresh grave.
My lips gape open.
Fresh grave? What the hell is wrong with me?
But…I can’t deny the fact that his scent, despite my morbid thoughts, is the most potent, powerful thing I’ve ever smelled.
My knees seem to grow weak, and I have the sudden urge to kneel on the black-and-white tile floor in that exact idiotic position that Madam Ellora talked about earlier.
Oh god.
The desire to flee the building, the campus, and the city all come over me. The last thing I want is a match at all. But a scent match? One I’ll have zero control over? One my father can’t vet for security…one that I can’t vet for mental stability…
For a second, I wish I wasn’t just pretending to swap lives with Teddie. I wish that I could actually switch. He and Caran are so perfect. And if I had to have any kind of match, I’d want theirs.
This?
This terrifying, scarred figure in front of me only dredges up all the issues I want to bury. All the memories I want to forget.
Of all the places. Of all the times.
Now?
I have to meet my scent match now, when I’m doped up on every scent blocker known to omegas? When I’m dressed as my brother?
Absolutely not.
This is not my reality. I refuse to accept it.
The mask tilts as if the man behind it is judging me.
Does he feel it too? Our connection?
Or are the scent blockers working?
I’m torn between utter terror and longing as my heart leaps into my throat and I choke on indecision.
My legs stiffen and knees lock as I fight against a primal urge to leap into this man’s arms and nuzzle against his cloaked neck. Meanwhile, my brain is punching every panic button possible inside my skull so that my body doesn’t do what it’s inclined to do.
