Page 55 of Altius
Kelsey was waiting in the nautical-themed seating area, wearing a blue argyle print cardigan with a bow-shaped brooch embellished with rhinestones, her blonde hair woven into a pair of French braids, reading a fashion magazine.
She looked up as I approached. “How’d it go?”
“Better than expected.” I offered her the envelope with the five scent cards inside.
Kelsey didn’t need more than a cursory sniff to identify who they belonged to.
“That’s them all right.” She closed the envelope flap and handed it back to me. “Were you able to pick any of them out?”
A weird yet satisfying thrum pulsed low in my belly. “I found all five.”
“That’s amazing!” Kelsey shot up and pulled me into a tight hug. “Oh, you must besorelieved.”
“Thanks,” I said, surrendering myself to the embrace. “But I cheated.”
“A little mouth breathing never hurt anyone.” Kelsey gave me a final squeeze, then let go. “What matters is that you found a compatible pack—well, almost pack—and it’syourguys.”
“Don’t get too excited. They’re not all mine. And this arrangement is only for my heat. Besides, they haven’t seen the offer yet. Or my stipulations.”
Kelsey pulled on her cape-style coat, picked up her purse, and followed me toward the exit. “When’s Chantal sending it out?”
“Tomorrow morning. There’s a ton of paperwork involved. Cal and Wyatt get separate offers because they’re unmated and unpacked, while all pack correspondence has to go through Owen.”
Kelsey picked up her pace, eager to escape the December chill. “Did you add all the new requirements you wanted?”
“Yes. Chantal was ruthless with the lubrication wording, but I… I needed to see it in black and white. And if Owen agrees to facilitate, I’m confident it’ll be adhered to.”
After we settled into Kelsey’s blue hatchback, she turned on the ignition. A text message popped up on the dashboard LCD screen. The contents made us both break into laughter.
If she never wishes to speak with me again, dearest darling Kels, rest assured, I deserve such scorn.
Jacobi’s love for melodrama knew no bounds.
“How long has this been going on?”
“Just a few days,” she said with an amused snort. “He always does this when there’s trouble in paradise.”
“Tell him to—no, I’ll call him myself and tell him to get his head out of his ass. But please, donotshare any details about my heat, no matter how much he begs. His bullshit will be limitless for the next few weeks.”
As I reached for my seatbelt, I paused, glancing at Kelsey out of the corner of my eye. Speaking of begging and bullshit…
She noticed my hesitation and quirked her head to the side. “Everything okay?”
“That depends. How amenable are you to performing a miracle?”
***
Kelsey stood in the center of my ruined nest, one arm pressed against her stomach, propping up her opposite elbow, and the hand clasped over her mouth. She surveyed the space with a critical eye, no doubt cataloging every damaged item, all picked out or designed by her and Jacobi for my comfort.
What a waste of their good intentions. Restoring my nest to its former glory would cost thousands of dollars.
The only time I seemed to spend money was in a rage.
I settled on a clear spot on the floor and started sorting through my mess. There wasn’t a keep pile. Just pitch or recycle.
Almost ten minutes passed before Kelsey spoke. “What day is your heat supposed to start?”
“Chantal moved it forward.” I pulled up my appointment notes on my phone. “I’m getting a chemical induction on the afternoon of Friday the fifteenth.”
