Page 14 of Pack Me Up

“Are you really scent matches?” Chase’s voice cuts through the moment, bringing me back to reality.

Oli pushes through the men who force themselves to step back. I can sense their displeasure, but clearly they respect Oli.

“Are you okay, Brittney?” Oli asks.

“A little overwhelmed,” I admit.

All five members of the pack take a step towards me, but Oli turns around with her hands up. “You heard her. Give the girl a minute to adjust. None of us saw this coming.”

Saint’s gaze cuts back to me. “We’re here to provide security for you.”

“Right,” I say, and it comes out as a squeak.

He holds my eyes for a beat longer, then shifts his attention to Oli. “We’ll need a list of everyone with access to Brittney and any known threats.”

Jack clears his throat, standing up from the couch and stretching to his full height, which, compared to the Phoenix brothers, is now less impressive than I thought. “I’ve prepared everything we know for you. It isn’t a lot.”

Colton, or is it Cody, grins at him. “We can find the rest.”

The twins exchange an almost affectionate glance. “It’s what we do.”

I try to hide behind my guitar case, but it’s hopeless. The Phoenix Pack’s attention keeps swinging back to me, like they’re recalibrating every time I breathe. My body is betraying me. My heart is racing, hands slick, and thighs pressed together so tight I’m afraid I’ll snap in half.

It’s the scent match thing. It has to be. I’ve heard stories about instant bonds, but I always assumed it was exaggerated, or just wishful thinking from omegas who wanted to feel special. Now I get it. I feel it in my teeth, in the hollow behind my navel, in the way my skin aches to be touched, and I barely know them.

Fox decides to approach, stepping closer with both hands open, palms out. “You okay?” he asks, voice soft. “You look like you might faint.”

I blink hard, trying to reset. “I just…Sorry. It’s a lot. You guys are… a lot.”

He chuckles, low and warm. “That’s true. But we’re here to keep you safe, not to overwhelm you.”

“Too late,” I mumble, and then immediately want to die.

He laughs for real then, and the sound helps. He leans in, voice dropping even lower. “If you need a minute, just tell us. We’re used to giving people space.”

Hunter pipes up from behind him, “Not too much space, though. Boss man says we stick close.” He shrugs, eyes sparkling. “But we don’t bite. Unless you want us to.”

My whole face goes up in flames. “Uh-No. I mean…Okay. Thanks?”

“We have a rehearsal. The six of you can talk about being scent matches when Brittney is ready,” Dax demands.

Colton and Cody step forward like they’re going to say something, but Saint clears his throat, shutting the twins up with a look. “We’ll sweep the building, then post up at the entrance. Unless you need us in here?”

Oli takes over, her energy bright and commanding. “Go ahead and sweep. Britt and I have a rehearsal to get through. If we need you, we’ll call.” She gives Saint a look that’s half challenge, half gratitude.

Saint nods, and the pack disperses. Through the doorway, I can see Colton and Cody take opposite sides of the hallway, Foxheads for the stairwell, and Hunter lingers, eyeing every exit. Even when they leave the room, their presence stays behind, humming under my skin.

I slump onto the stool, hiding my face behind my hands. My breathing is wild, but I force it into the four-in, hold, six-out rhythm until my head clears.

Oli squats down next to me, resting her arms on her knees. “You okay, babe?”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

She bumps my shoulder. “That’s what it’s like.”

I look at her, confused.

She grins, all teeth. “When you find your pack. It’s a goddamn earthquake. At least you weren’t all making out in public like we did.”