Page 25 of Patiently Yours
It’s time to rip the bandage off.
It doesn’t take long for Ciro to answer the door. Just like every time I’ve interacted with him before, he’s grinning from ear to ear. He’s very casual today in his simple black band tee with gray sweatpants. I repeat:gray sweatpants. My anxiety instantly gets overridden by the horny omega inside me.
I must zone out because Ciro’s arms are wrapping around me in greeting. It’s not unwelcomed in the slightest, but I am wholly unprepared for his scent to dominate my senses instantly. I give a satisfied hum before I wrap my arms around his waist, letting the weight of him ground me. I hang on, probably longer than I should, inhaling his scent and using it to comfort me enough to do this. He must notice, because he lets me take my time; I even feel a slight squeeze of comfort come from his hands.
“Are you ready?” he whispers softly in my ear. I swallow down a whimper from the gentleness of it.
All I do is nod against his shoulder because I’m terrified of telling him the truth: that I’m not sure if I will ever be ready for this.
We pull apart. I already miss the comfort, but he makes up for it by taking my hand in his and flashing a small smile. There’s a distinct emotion on his face, but he’s already leading us inside before I can decipher it.
The same plethora of beautiful scents meet my nose as we journey through the house. I’m focusing on it, allowing it to calm my nerves as my omega’s anticipation rises with each step.
Their living room comes into view as the scents come to a head. I focus on that beautiful mahogany coffee table, wherethere are cards and board games sitting in a pile, followed by an array of snacks. A few of my favorites that I told Ciro about are among them; my omega preens at the sight of them.
I finally find the courage to look up at the alphas sitting around the area. They stand up as soon as they spot us, like I’m some honored guest here to bless their home. The sight is surprisingly favorable, and causes something in my stomach to clench.
I take a look at each of them, now in their casual clothes rather than their hockey gear and helmets. I gulp at the same moment my omega gives a heavy exhale.
God, they’re beautiful.
No one approaches us. I stay glued to the doorway, eyeing these alphas as they watch me in a way that makes me feel exposed. There’s a new tension in the air, one that feels centered around me.
“Stacia.”
I turn to Ciro, my name a quiet plea on his lips. I see it then, the emotion I didn’t have time to decode before: longing, hopefulness.
He gives me an anxious smile and it hits me.They know. They’ve known this whole time. The denial in me is crumbling fast; my heart rate speeds up, and I realize that this is the life-changing moment that my omega tried to tell me it was.
So many factors go into scent matches meeting for the first time. What if they find I’m not the same as how they pictured me? What if I connect with a few of them, but the rest don’t feel the same way? Will I be prompting a perfect pack to fall apart with my presence alone? What if I can’t get over these fears, and they tire waiting for the affection that they all deserve?
“Stacia.” I hear again, and the touch of Ciro’s hand on my arm brings me back to my body. I look at him and realize I’m breathless. His pack mates are still waiting, their faces full ofconcern as they battle with their instincts to stay still and let me come to them.
Ciro rubs my arm gently. “I’m right here,” he reaffirms. “If you get overwhelmed, let me know and we can take a step back. Ipromise.”
His words find their mark in my chest. I believe him, I trust him. And that alone helps me take a deep breath before giving a much more confident nod.
I turn to the alphas. Their scents are potent, but a hint of fear now spreads through the room as my own scent joins theirs. I will myself to be brave, as I finally take them all in. They are gorgeous beings, and I suddenly feel small in their presence.
I square my shoulders as much as I can before walking further into the room. My omega’s eagerness dances with my apprehension with each step forward.
The blond alpha moves first. His excitement bounces off of him in spades, his enthusiasm instantly infectious. I find myself smiling despite the bongos beating in my chest.
This is Kendall. I remember Ciro’s description of him: extroverted, happy-go-lucky, and loyal.
The familiar and intoxicating aroma of coconuts floats over, and I bite my lip in embarrassment at the things I did to that smell. I perfume involuntarily, and it invades the space around us. The alphas try to muffle their groans, but my cheeks heat up regardless.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Kendall reassures me. “If you’re embarrassed, then I should be as well. The blanket you found has a permanent spot on my bed now. It’s no longer allowed in communal spaces. The guys think I’m being selfish.” He says it with such undiluted confidence that it takes me aback. I feel a flush travel down my neck.
“I’m so sorry about that. I… I can’t use my omega as an excuse, but she was quite enamored with it.”
I cringe.When did I turn into a 1800’s duchess?
He gives me a cheeky smile. “Don’t apologize. I am very happy about it. My alpha is giddy knowing that you enjoy our scent that much.”
Oh gosh, I reallyreallydo. Even now, I want to step closer to get a bigger whiff of the real thing.
“Is it okay if I hug you now?” he asks, looking boyish in his excitement. I’m nodding before I can even think better of it.
