Page 11 of Rugged Hearts: Part One

“Thank you,” I say, this time a little more genuinely. Taking my purchases, I leave the station. I put the extra maps in my car and start towards the trail head. I take a deep breath of fresh air and even with the slight chill it feels great on my skin. And that restless feeling fades with each step I take.

9

JAKE

Who the hell was that? Jacobson better get here soon so I can start my rounds on the trails. That omega looked like she had no idea the kind of terrain she was about to hike. I’m not usually working in the station unless I’m covering for someone. She didn’t even have any protection with her. Even though it’s late in the year we still see some bears in late October/early November before their hibernation. I growl to myself as Jacobson finally arrives.

“Sorry for being late, sir. Appreciate you covering,” he says, clearly picking up on my mood. I round the counter and go straight to the bear spray and bring it up for him to check out. He looks at me confused.

“Someone on the trail needs this, I am going to bring it to her,” I bite out.

Slowly nodding his head, he rings it up and I pay in a rush. As I walk out the door, I belatedly remember to let him know what trail I’ll be on, in case I’m needed.The trail that I advised her on is an easier one that we tend to guide tourists towards but it’s still a trail in the mountains. The first third is somewhat intense with its incline increasing as you go. I left not too long after her so I should catch up to her quickly.

Forty-five minutes later and I still haven’t caught up with her. The alpha in me is on edge. She could be hurt. Why do I care so much? Of course I care but this was intense. I was approaching the part of the trail that crests with a picturesque overlook of the valley below. That’s where I find her. Sitting on one of the benches, face tilted up with her eyes closed. She looks completely at peace. I know that feeling, that’s what these trails did for me when I first moved up here after quitting my career at the FBI. Seeing her like this I can’t help but admire her. At least she dressed sensibly. The jacket she’s wearing hugs her luscious curves, the dark color contrasting with her pale skin that almost glows in this overcast light. Her thick brown hair is pulled back into a ponytail, showing off her neck. No bites. How in the world does this omega not have a mate? I didn’t catch her scent in the station, though now I’m curious. The longer I stare the more I start to regret coming up here and interrupting her serene moment. Taking a step, the crunch of the leaves and twigs catch her attention. Her eyes pop open in fear until she registers it’s me and she relaxes.

“Sorry to interrupt,” I say sheepishly.

“It’s okay,” she replies softly as if she’s still miles away. I move to sit next to her on the bench. The moment I sit, I catch her scent. Gods help me, it’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever encountered but it has this hard edge to it, a kind of smokiness. The more I breathe it in, the more a feeling of absolute peace washes over me. What is happening? I look at her. Shock has to be written all over my face. Hers is equally surprised, but something shudders in her expression. Whatever it is I want to fix it. She looks away and gestures to the can of bear spray in my hand. “What’s that?” She’s acting like the world didn’t just shift. She had to have felt it.

Not knowing what to say I answer her, “It’s bear spray. I brought it here for you. You should have some kind of protection when taking any of these trails.” Though now I want to tag along with her and make sure she’ll be okay. Take it easy, Jake. I need to breathe, except every time I do I inhale more of her scent.Handing it to her, she says a quick thank you and returns to looking over the valley. My mind is reeling. The longer we sit here with our scents mingling the more that feeling of peace takes over. It’s rare for me to feel so at ease. I guess it’s the same for her. Out of the corner of my eye I notice her body relaxing slowly, the tension when she caught my scent bleeding away.

It’s the oddest, most amazing experience of my life. Sitting in complete silence with an omega that I think is my scent match and feeling completely at peace. We sit there for a long while, the chill creeping in, but I don’t mind. Looking down at the valley and seeing nothing but nature makes you feel like the only person in the world. A feeling I chased when I first moved here and started hiking just to get out of the pack house. But I’m not alone and I can’t imagine sitting in this spot, or another like it, alone again. I should say something, I wish she would, but we let the moment continue.

That is until my radio crackles to life, Jacobson coming through. Sighing, I lift the radio. “Carter here.”

“Need you back at the station,” Jacobson says down the line. I reply that I’m on my way and sign off. I look over at the omega. Gods I don’t even know her name. “Let me walk you back?” I ask tentatively. The moment of peace has passed and I can’t forget that shudder that came over her when she scented me. Even though it’s been a few years since I was in the FBI, those skills, or rather instincts don’t just go away. She’s skittish of something. Running maybe, but I don’t get the feeling she’s in trouble with the police. No, running from a specific person feels more accurate. Flashbacks of old cases want to push forward in my mind at the thought but I hold them back. I hope my gut is wrong.

She nods and we silently begin the walk back down the trail. It goes quicker with it being mostly downhill. She’s very agile, and I’m ashamed to say I judged her too harshly on her athletic ability. I’m glad to be proven wrong because she’s strong. When I see the trail ahead in the distance, knowing it’s my last chance to talk to her before she sprints to her car, I ask gently, “Can I know yourname?” She’s like a doe about to bolt, and I’m praying she gives me this little crumb. Gods, is this was a scent match does to you?

She doesn’t reply right away as we keep walking, the station now coming into view. Until finally she stops, looking towards the parking lot then back at me. “It’s Thea. Thank you Officer Carter, for the bear spray.”

She walks away quickly; doesn’t break out into a run, which somehow has me smiling and yelling out after her, “Call me Jake.”

Her name sounds familiar. Maybe one of the guys has mentioned her. If she’s my scent match then she has to be the pack’s. I was going to work tomorrow night and miss family dinner, but Jacobson owes me one now. I think it’s time I see what my pack has been up to these last couple weeks I’ve been working these extra shifts.

10

THEA

My hands are shaking as I sit in my car, in the driveway of my rental house. I’m freezing from sitting outside for so long but that’s not why I’m shaking. It’s another alpha whose scent is affecting me. This one, holy shit. It was the first time I felt at peace in over a year. Not since before Connor—stop Thea.I need to find the closest doctor and get more heat suppressants. That has to be the cause of these scents affecting me like this. Looking it up online, and of course it’s an office right off Main Street. I call and schedule in for the earliest appointment they can fit me in. It’s not for another two weeks. I nearly beg the poor woman on the phone that it’s an emergency I need to be seen this week.

“Let me talk to the doctor, what is your name again dear?” she asks and I tell her. A few minutes later she’s back on the phone, giving me the first appointment of the day tomorrow. That was surprising, I don’t really know anyone outside the lodge so I doubt my name made any difference. Maybe it’s a small-town thing.

Having that settled I feel marginally better and finally get out of the car and head inside. A long hot shower is calling my name.That restless feeling I had before my hike has been creeping up on me ever since I left Jake. Just need to make it until tomorrow.The suppressants will help, theyhaveto. It’s not late at all and there’s plenty of time left in the day to do things but my energy feels zapped. I look longingly at the box on my newly assembled dresser. Some of Connor’s clothes are safely tucked in there in sealed bags. I desperately want to see if I can still get a hint of his scent, but I’m too scared of what will happen if I do. The last time I did was back in Chicago. When I caught his scent still on his clothes I ended up logging into my social media to check on his parents. Two days later the letter came. I don’t trust myself. I can’t risk being found again so soon. I want this place to work out. I need it to.

11

BEFORE #1 - THEA

The boat speeds up as my alpha, Connor, adjusts the sails. I’m laughing the whole time, being out on the water is our happy place. Feeling so free as we sail around the coast until we’re finally back at our home port. We had a long weekend out on the boat enjoying the good weather in south Florida. The boat, The Adventure, is Connor’s metaphorical baby. It’s a white schooner, just over forty feet in length, with two main masts for the sails.

Back at our dock, it’s nearly sunset and our mini trip is over. “Why didn’t we take tomorrow off too?” I say with a little omega whine slipping out.

He shakes his head, smiling as he finishes tying down the lines. “You were worried what your boss would think if you were out too long,” he says pointedly. There are only three things we tend to argue about from time to time: one being when we’ll bond, two when I’ll have a heat, and the last being my somewhat toxic job. However, I’m in a good mood and don’t take the bait he’s throwing my way.

Making our way home, I’m suddenly eager to be back there and cuddled into my nest with my alpha. Walking into our apartment building, I’m dragging him along, restless to be home. Assoon as I’m opening the door to our apartment, I’m surrounded with the comforting smells of home; it’s almost as good as being in my nest, which I veer straight towards.

“Wait we need to shower first,” Connor says, slightly steering me towards our bathroom. Now I really do let out an omega whine, but he’s not deterred. He’s probably right. I’ll get all the outside smells from our trip in my nest which at first won’t be bad but in two days I’ll hate it. After eight years together he knows me too well. The bathroom is a sleek design seen in most apartments and condos in the building. If there’s one negative it’s that we don’t have a tub. The large walk-in shower does make up for it, a little bit. It’s big enough for my 6’4” muscled alpha and my 5’4” plus-size self. One of Connor’s favorite things is showering together. Thankfully it doesn’t always lead to sex because even being an omega sometimes I just want a regular shower. However, this time we both are feeling the need to connect now that we’re home.