Page 60 of Want It All
‘It’s less ominous and more illegal. But I think … I think it could be a good thing for some of the students here.’
Her frown deepened. ‘Okay. I’m listening.’
‘There’s going to be a scent party tonight,’ I said. ‘In the gardens. They’re illegal –’
‘Because of the Alpha Gathering Act,’ my mother said, nodding. ‘I know. But you want me to let it happen? Why?’
‘Apparently, the old Dean was a stickler for the rules. But some people here want packs, and they won’t be able to know who might suit them untilafterthey leave Banksia House.’
‘Why should I support my students forming packs? They’re here to study.’
I shrugged. ‘It would settle some of the alphas down, for starters. Allow them to make better informed choices, maybe. And it might be good for philanthropy.’
‘Because people donate more money when they have fond memories of a place,’ my father interjected, serving himself a larger-than-necessary portion of bacon.Lucky I made extra; checkmate, dad. ‘Imagine the endowments you could get if some of the students here packed up.’
‘That’s right. And it’s … It’s so strange, being completely without human scent. I feel like I’ve got one hand always tied behind my back. One night without blockers would be …’ I trailed off, thinking about the right word. ‘Freeing.’
‘And what did Dr. Ford think about it?’
I shook my head wryly. My mum was too good. ‘You know he wouldn’t advise me either way about something like that. But hedidsay that he thought I was in full control.’
‘Of course you are,’ mum murmured. ‘We’re so proud of you, B.’ She considered her eggs for a moment, pricking the yolks with her fork so that yellow-gold spilled across her plate. ‘Fine. I’ll let it happen – within reason. I’ll ask for an extra security team tonight, and theywillbe in the outskirts of the garden and patrolling the halls. Any hint of discomfort from a beta student or Rosemary, and I pull the plug immediately. And therewillbe a curfew, depending on levels of rowdiness.’
‘Thanks, mum,’ I said, meaning it, sipping on my coffee.
‘Will you go with Tristan?’
‘Pravin, actually. Tristan and I aren’t … friends. We just kind of put up with each other.’
‘That’s a shame,’ dad mused. ‘Tina always said you’d need an alpha as strong as you are, so you could let down your guard every once in a while.’
This time when my mum cried, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and let her tears fall on my shirt.
I felt odd twelve hours later, after missing two doses of blockers. My scent clouded around me, a little thicker than it should have been, perhaps because of the nerves churning in my stomach.
I had no fucking idea what I was nervous about, but there was something in the air, as if everyone was full of the same mix of anticipation and excitement. When I passed other alphas in the corridor after lunch, they inhaled, hoping against hope for the rush of adrenaline that came with finding a complementary scent.
I took a shower, catching myself as I reached for the scent-cancelling body wash.This is what it was like before the Unveiling, I thought, bypassing my scent-cancelling spray and throwing on clean clothes, then pressing some buttons on my monitors to let my APF team know I was attending a party and my heartbeat might be erratic. I’d still have to check in every hour, but that was easy, no more than sending a code via the monitors, then letting them know when I was about to go to bed.
A knock sounded on my door. ‘Ready?’ Pravin called.
‘One sec.’ I shot a text to Rose, who knew what was happening and who had triple-locked and barricaded her door at my request.Have a good night. Wish me luck.
She responded a moment later.Why is there a security team prowling up and down my corridor?
I chewed on my lip.That might be because of my mum. Sorry.
I stared at the three dots until her next message came through.No worries. It’s good, actually. I can hear music, and I think I’d be nervous if they weren’t there. Good luck, Byron.
Pravin inhaled as soon as I came through the door.
‘You, too?’ I said, smiling.
‘Can’t hurt, right?’ He sniffed. ‘Oof. That’s sweet. Like, I think I just got a cavity.’
‘I take it you prefer savoury?’
‘Nah, I’m a lifestyle scent.’ Pravin held his wrist out, and I caught the notes of sunshine on freshly washed linen. Nice, but it didn’t make my alpha pay attention.
