Page 13 of Brandy Snap: Part Two

“There’s someone my son loves far more than you or that pet of theirs. If you ever think Caspian would choose you over her, you’re sorely mistaken.”

She clicked her tongue against her teeth, jerking her chin, and the alpha let me go.

I was insanely curious about who she was talking about, but I could tell it was a trap to make me stay by asking. All I needed was to get out of the door. I couldn’t let myself lose focus.

“Are you going to let me go?” I asked, tugging again, letting out a yelp. I didn’t think my earlobes could put up with any more.

“Don’t think you’ve gotten away with this,” she said as she waved her hand, her alphas slinking back. “Your little trick worked this time, but you can’t keep this up for long.”

I let go of one earlobe as my back bumped against the door.

Maybe I could have fired a quippy line or something to prove I knew what I was doing, but I didn’t care enough about saving face.

As soon as the door opened, I shot through it, running as hard as I could in too-high heels, aiming straight for the ballroom.

My earlobes pulsed in time with my pounding heart. I just had to get into the crowd. I’d find Sin or Caspian as soon as I knew I was surrounded by witnesses.

My logic had completely turned off as I swam into the centre of the crowd. I’d choked on so much hyacinth that I forgot that I couldn’t stand other people’s scents. I was blasted with ten scents at once, giving me an instant head rush. I thought I was going to pass out.

Standing in the middle of a group of people, I panted and fought against the scents. They just stared, and I bet we were all wondering what was wrong with me.

Deep breaths in, slow breaths out, drawing air in through my mouth to block the scents, all while spinning around, searching for familiar silhouettes.

Shaking, I looked up to the ballroom door, scared she might have followed me.

Instead, Sin stood in the entrance, a deep furrow in his brow I’d never seen before. His gaze was fixed on me, his confusion beating out from him as he made a beeline for me.

I didn’t care what he was thinking, or if he saw me with her. I needed him.

I pushed through people, ignoring their shouts of annoyance, all to meet him halfway.

Even if he saw me enter or leave the room with Zania, it could wait until later.

“Give me your scent,” I wheezed as I stepped into his space.

He hesitated, and he had every reason to. Even if we were putting on a performance, he didn’t have to touch me. But my omega instincts grew more erratic the longer he stood there assessing me. Like he was weighing up his options when, really, all I wanted was his vanilla to calm me down.

“The scents are making me dizzy,” I said, covering my nose. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the full truth, either.

He’d be able to smell Caspian’s parents on me, too.

But it was enough for him. Sin opened his arms, not saying a word as he moved to wrap them around me.

As soon as vanilla flowed over me, I could breathe again.

My fear was still eating me from the inside, but he held me tight in the middle of the ballroom. Even with my heart racing in fear, I could rest my ear against his chest and listen to the thumps through his suit. It was enough to make my aura balance out with his.

“Are you okay?” he murmured, a question only for us.

I tilted my head back, meeting the sharp purple of his eyes with a sigh of relief.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” I sighed without thinking, and he nodded in reply.

“Stay with me as long as you need,” he said, his chest rumbling as he covered me like a blanket. “I won’t leave you until you’re ready.”

“And what if I’m never ready?” I asked, squeezing him. I was too wired. I had no filter. And I didn’t want to hear his answer.

He bent down, pressing his lips against my hair, wisps of his aura soothing me.