Page 56 of Talk About… History

“Actually, I came to meet you,” I said, stepping forward and giving him a smile. There was something about Cohen that seemed familiar, yet I didn’t think I’d ever met him before.

“Me?” Cohen asked, just as confused.

“Yes, it seems we share a mate, Cohen,” I said as I walked up to the counter. He hadn’t moved, almost looking startled, his eyes tracking every movement as I walked up and rested my elbows on the counter, leaning forward.

It was only then that I realized that the beautiful scent in here was him—a beta. I don’t think I’d ever heard of an alpha-beta scent match before. Generally, scent matches were something between an omega and an alpha, or a beta and omega. There was always an omega in the center of it all.

He looked just as startled as I did, his nostrils flaring and his eyes widening. To his credit, he didn’t step away.

“So, you’re Avery’s pack?” he managed to choke out, his voice strained.

I nodded. “Yeah, we met at my old job, though we quit when they tried to swindle Avery.”

A smile formed on his face, and he nodded in approval. “I’m glad she had somebody to stand up for her. She deserves that.”

“We weren’t the only ones. You should have seen those Whitaker boys—they were a force to be reckoned with,” I said, letting out a whistle before laughing. “I really thought they were going to go to jail that night.”

“Her family is important to her. I have a feeling they’re very close,” he confirmed before fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. It was like he was adjusting it, though there was nothing out of place.

Everything about Cohen seemed meticulous—a little too perfect. And man, I wanted to ruin that perfection with a little chaotic fun and debauchery.

“Let’s talk first about how we’re mates, too, Cohen,” I said, leaning in again and breathing in deep. “You smell phenomenal.”

“So do you,” he admitted quietly. It was nice to see him a little thrown off. I had a feeling he wasn’t used to being out of control like this.

“That’s not normal, right?” he finally questioned, stuttering over his words before taking a shaky breath and letting it out. “I’m sorry, I’m not usually this nervous. With Avery, it feels so easy.”

“Are you saying I’m not easy?” I teased, my voice pitched low and breathless. “Though I wouldn’t say you’re entirely wrong in that regard.”

“Oh Lord, help me,” he gasped, looking up at the ceiling. I leaned over the counter enough to see a sizable bulge in his pants—it seemed he liked my teasing.

“Every mating is different. With you I feel myself wanting to be flirty, with her I take a gentler approach,” I said, giving him a wolfish grin that had his skin reddening further.

“Interesting,” was all he managed, still not quite looking me in the eye. His fingers were gripping the edge of the counter, knuckles turning white at the force of it.

Oh, he was going to be fun.

I didn’t want to push too far, too soon, though, so I changed the subject.

“The real reason I came in here was to add you to the group chat us guys have and invite you out tonight. Whitaker Brews is doing a special because Avery’s videos blew up. We’re going to go out and show our support. Are you in?”

His face lit up at that. “That’s amazing!” Now that the subject was on Avery, he let go of some of his nervousness. “She’s amazing, isn’t she?”

“She is,” I agreed, pulling out my phone and showing him the picture I took earlier at the lake. “I helped her take some pictures today and snapped this. Look how gorgeous she is.”

He melted a little bit and that only made me want him more. I was in trouble with these two.

“Can you send me that?”

“Absolutely. Let me add you to the group chat and I’ll send it to everyone. I’m sure you’ll meet the others tonight, too,” I told him, pulling up my contacts to add him in.

Ford: I’m adding Cohen. This is Avery’s beta. Mine, too, actually.

Mason: I should be shocked, but I’m not.

Ford: Avery is celebrating a video going viral at Whitaker Brews tonight. We’re going out to show support, try to show up around seven.

Arden: I’ll be there. Nice to meet you Cohen, I look forward to getting to know you guys as well.

---