Page 32 of In Bellamira's Chains

Roe pulled my chair closer to him before picking up our stack of cards that Raylan had dealt out. Every card was out there, and I tried to remember the games I had played as a child. I didn’t think Old Maid or Go Fish were going to help me now.

“We go first.” Roe fanned out the cards and started organizing them in a way I didn’t understand as they weren’t in numerical order. “Everyone will lay down one or more cards and claim it’s the next number in line, which is why nothing is actually organized in our hand. We start with aces, so we can lay down some cards and say it’s that many. If people believe you, they will move on and it’s the next person’s turn. If they don’t, someone can call Bullshit. If they were right, the person who laid down the cards would take all the cards in the pile. If they are wrong, that person takes all of them. It’s pretty straightforward once you get going as long as you can lie or get really lucky and have the right cards each time.”

“Okay, so I can take these,” I said, pulling out two cards.

“And place them face down in the middle, stating you have two aces.”

I nodded and did just that. “Two aces.”

“I don’t think I believe you my pet, but I will let it slide this time.” I felt the blush creep up my neck, but little did she know, I was telling the truth.

“I definitely won’t be using that to my advantage. We will be quite the team, Hazelle.”

Play went around the table with Farah and Elera giving believable numbers, then Mistress Belle said, “Three fours.”

“Bullshit,” Roe said without hesitation. “Bull. Shit.”

She smirked and nodded toward the cards. “Go ahead and see, my pet. Did I lie?”

I reached forward and flipped the last three cards, revealing two fours and a two. “Yes.”

“Damn right you did, Bella! Take your cards.” Roe shoved the cards toward her. “See. Not so bad is it?” Roe sat back and smiled at me.

He was so different from Mistress Belle, but he also felt familiar, as if his scent was forever tinged with familiarity. Where Mistress Belle smelled of rose and smoked rum, a heady combination that drove me crazy, Roe’s scent was a softer version, rose and cedar. It reminded me of a rose garden at dawn. A lovely neutral scent that gave me nothing but pleasant thoughts.

His scent mixed with Elera’s would be neutralizing in the best way. I hadn’t been around many Betas but both of their scents were a calm middle ground between Omegas and Alphas. Elera’s, with her bergamot and lavender scent, would complement his in the best way.

Now I wondered what Farah’s scent was and if they ran in families. Neither of my parents had a similar scent to me besides my mother smelling sweet like any Omega.

“F-Farah?” I stuttered out as Raylan pulled cards from his hand.

“Yes, dear?” She turned to me, and I almost said nevermind.

“Two fives.”

“Safe choice, Uncle,” Roe muttered.

“Mistress Belle and Roe have a scent with roses. Do you as well?” The entire table paused for a split second before Roe played for us.

“One six.” I had a feeling he was playing nice to keep from distracting everyone from my question. I didn’t know if I should be thankful for that or not.

“I do, actually.” She held up her wrist, moving it closer to my nose.

I sniffed and was surprised to find that her scent was rose and…a musky vanilla almost as if it was a charred scent.

“It doesn’t always happen, my pet, but our mother did pass down the rose portion of our scents. It’s always been interesting when we are in a room together and arguing. Rose alone doesn’t scream dominance, but smoked rum and charred vanilla weighs down even the largest rooms.”

“Two sevens.”

“Bullshit, Farah.” Elera laughed and flipped the cards, which were definitely not two sevens.

“Sorry.” She pulled the pile in front of Farah.

“I’ve always enjoyed knowing my scent was superior and less oppressive.” Roe sat taller, giving his sister and mother shit without hesitation.

Farah reached over me with ease and slapped him on the back of the head. “Be nice to your sister and Hazelle.” She didn’t look at any of us as she continued to sort her new cards.

My eyes grew wide as I glanced at her, then met Elera’s gaze behind her.