Page 9 of Altius
“What’s the prescribed diet for mate waning syndrome, anyhow?” I cut him off, savoring the alarm in his gaze.
Good. He should be worried.
“A shit ton of soup? No, I bet it’s something gross, like wheat grass smoothies. Maybe something with melatonin is more beneficial—or is tryptophan better? Good thing Thanksgiving is next week. A decent turkey sandwich should sort me right out.”
A lesser alpha would have interrupted by now or gotten angry. Not Cal.
He stood there, neither advancing nor retreating, taking it like a champ. Like he expected me to rant myself into submission.
Well, fuck that.
“I’d rather try the traditional folk remedy for waning syndrome.” I sneered at him. “Lots of good old-fashioned dick.”
“I understand you’re upset,” Cal said as he crossed the room, thumbs hooked in the pockets of his sweatpants. He stopped beside the bed. “But this isn’t helping.”
“Why not?” I shot back. “I thought you were into fucking medical mysteries. Or have you lost interest now that my scent’s back?”
Even that didn’t faze him. The lack of reaction made me feel worse.
“I can admit that your missing scent intrigued me,” he said, sounding so calm, so reasonable. Cal eased down to sit on the side of the bed, placing a hand on the covers between us—making his warmth available if I wanted it. “Because I think about pheromones all the time. The science of them. How they influence us, for better or worse. It’s what I do.”
“But you only noticed me because I’m a defective omega.”
“No.” His fingers inched closer, almost touching mine. “My attraction to you, my feelings for you, havenothingto do with your designation or pheromones. How could I not fall for you, Morgan? When you think the way you do. Persist the way you do. Look the way you do—”
“Stop. Just stop.”
I kicked at the covers, trying to get out of bed, but the weight of Cal’s head falling against my shoulder caused my anger to falter.
“Tell me what I did wrong,” he murmured. His arms circled my waist, easing me closer to his bulky frame. “Every single thing. I will listen and learn. I will do better next time.”
Cal tucked me against his side, assuming full responsibility for keeping me upright.
“Because I know therewillbe a next time, Morgan,” he said softly. “And I’ll be by your side when it happens.”
Seething, I mangled the hem of his cardigan. “I hate pushy alphas.”
“Noted.”
“My opinion matters. Itmatters. Especially when it’s my shitty body on the line.”
“Yes, it does. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel disrespected.”
Cal stroked my hair a few times before cupping the back of my head, angling my face so that I met his earnest gaze.
“But I willnotapologize for doing what was necessary to keep Kelsey in Tacoma with the rest of your family for Jenna’s birthday—or for pushing to get you home as soon as possible.” His thumb caressed my cheek. “Because I knewthatwas what was most important toyou.”
Unmoored by his insight, I could only bury my head against his chest. “God, I’m such an ungrateful bitch.”
“No—”
“I hate this,” I hissed, fighting to get the words out, ignoring the pain radiating through my weary husk. “Being this way. Feeling so unbalanced and overwhelmed by everything you’re doing—even though I know it’s for my own good. I know I needhelp. And I don’twantto be angry with you, but Iam… Yet, I’mnot. Not really. It just—just happens.”
A trio of kisses dotted my hairline, each one grounding me a little more.
“Having a temper flare-up is simply another facet of your personality, as far as I’m concerned. And just so we’re clear…” Cal leaned down for a proper kiss. “I’m not going anywhere.”
His lazy grin had no right to look so dependable.
