Page 7 of Patiently Yours
“Oh shit.” I hear the mystery body mutter as he notices me. The hand holding his cigarette instinctually moves away so he doesn’t accidentally burn my skin. He throws it behind him before reaching down to help.
“I’m so sorry,” I say before he lifts me up with ease. I try to help him, but that only gives me more momentum as I practically jump in the air before landing on my feet. His handsstay on my arms to steady me and I get a nose-full of his scent, surprising tones of spiced rum and orange.Beta.
His smell is intoxicating. I sneak another whiff and have the sudden urge to ask him to wrap his arms all the way around me. My omega urges me to step closer, to ask for some much needed comfort.
I pause at that realization. Omegas and betas normally can’t smell each other unless they are pack or blood relatives. Maybe weed messes with my hormones because I’ve never reacted to a beta this way before. It causes heat to rise to my cheeks. I’m hoping it’s dark enough out here that he won’t notice.
He has tanned skin and dark close-cropped hair that sways flat on top. His silver earrings sparkle under the moonlight; I notice they’re little lightning bolts sitting in a tiny gauge.
“You’resorry?Ishould be sorry, what kind of man am I for not catching you before you fell?” He gives a subdued smile. I can now hear a small accent in his voice. I can’t decipher its origin but my omega finds itveryattractive. He winces at his corny greeting. “Sorry, that sounded better in my head.” He offers his hand to me. “I’m Ciro.”
Even the way he says his own name is attractive.
“Stacia,” I say in almost a whisper. Then I cough, trying to play off my nerves and speak a bit louder. “Stacia Kelmeckis.”
He gives me a broad smile. “I think I’ve seen you around the English building. I’m studying Communications.”
“Oh, cool!” I say, like a nerd. I clear my throat again, “I’m an English major, with a concentration in”—I hesitate, feeling embarrassed already—“Creative Writing.”
“That’s the best kind of writing!” he says immediately, causing me to let out a breath. I notice in this light that he has some tattoos above his ears. I wish I could see what they are.
“Oh shit,” I mutter out loud. I keep forgetting that I’m on a timeline to get home. I pull out my phone and ignore a text from Derek to look at the time.How much longer do I have?
Not long enough. And I can’t just walk away from this handsome beta without saying anything, especially when it’s going well. And when he has a scent that my omega keeps pushing me to get more sniffs of.
I guess honesty is the best course of action.
“I took acid,” I blurt out.
His eyes widen in surprise, but there’s a tiny hint of amusement in the tilt of his lips. “Oh… okay.”
I wince at my abrupt statement. “What I mean is… I’d love to keep talking to you but I need to get home. Like, soon.”
This beta just beams at me. I arch a brow at him. He seems more elated at the idea that I’m enjoying our conversation rather than annoyed that I’m leaving it because of drugs.
Weird.
He breaks the silence. “I can get one of my pack mates to drive you home, if you want? One of us always stays sober to drive. They’re alphas, though, so I can come, too. If that makes you most comfortable.”
Pack mates. He has a pack. A deep longing that I’ve tried to suppress rises in my chest.
“No, that’s okay.” I can feel my mind going on a wild thought-chase. I need to think of something else, anything else. If he offers again, I might accept and I really don’t need to meet his pack.
I pull out my phone to order a car service. Maybe they’ll get here fast enough.
“See, I ordered a car,” I say a bit too enthusiastically to convince him I’m fine. His lips twitch slightly, before he nods.
“Cool. I’d still like to wait with you, if that’s okay. And I’d like to get your number,” he says, seemingly unashamed but his boyish smile gives away his nerves.
Holy shit. My number?!
I stare at him for a few moments, unable to respond. Because I wouldloveto text him. Get to know him.
But he has a pack, and I don’t deserve a pack.
Not to mention, I may be with Derek again. Our on-and-off-again relationship these past few months has been a whirlwind but it’s still a thing.
“Sure,” I finally say before handing him my phone. He puts his number in and returns it to me, looking very happy that I said yes.
