Page 25 of Scent to the Feral Cowboys

We all knew I didn’t have to get their approval to spend my inheritance, but I’d told them when I’d first gotten the windfall, that the ranch was my priority.They were my priority. I would have to tell them I’d spent millions on Eros, but maybe after some of the dust settled.

“Speaking of money…” This from Wade. He let the unfinished question hang in the air.

“Come on, man. It’s only money. It’s money, and its ability to buy us a little happiness.” I pushed off his question. I’d confess that part later.

“I am happy,” Wyatt cut in, voice gruff.

“You’re happy the ranch is out of hot water. That’s different than really being happy, Wyatt.” I pushed the truth at him, but only he could choose to swallow it.

My attention shifted to Boone, hovering by the backdoor like he might bolt through it at any second. He caught my eye and offered a barely perceptible shrug, as if to say,whatever you've done, I'm along for the ride.

I chuckled softly at that. Boone had been ‘along for the ride’ unexpectedly since we’d met in college. Two more quicklooks showed me Wyatt’s expression had softened slightly, while Wade was just shaking his head... I caught the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth though. Wade was always the easier twin.

Ms. Matthews stepped forward bringing her tablet to life and navigating to a digital checklist. "Excellent. Now, if you'll all have a seat, we can talk over a few things and knock out final paperwork before moving to the sample collection."

As my packmates grudgingly gathered around our kitchen table, I couldn't help the surge of hope that rose in my chest. Soon, we'd have our missing piece—an Omega to complete our circle. I just hoped whoever was sent our way was ready for what they were getting into with the five of us. We were rough, rowdy, and stuck in our ways. If they could see past our surfaces though, they’d find Alphas who’d do anything to make them happy.

When Wyattfinally scratched his name across the last highlighted line of his set of paperwork, I felt my entire body relax. I’d been really worried he’d be the holdout.

“Wonderful,” the Eros rep crowed, quickly gathering all the documents, stacking them neatly, and slipping them into her briefcase. “When these are back at headquarters, they’ll be digitized and we’ll send you finalized copies.”

“Great,” I clapped my hands, rubbing them together in anticipation. “Samples next?”

“Yes, Mister Hart. My techs should be all ready for you.”

“First to be poked!” I said in a cheery tone.

“Please don’t tell me I just agreed to needles,” Boone’s voice was a low, disgruntled thrum. His scent shifted, anxiety pluming around his body.

“Unfortunately, Mister Atwood, the only way to gather the necessary samples is to use proper phlebotomy equipment.”

“Nope, I’m out,” he held up his hands in defeat, shoving away from the table and half-turning towards the back door.

“You have already committed to the process,” Miss Mathews reminded him. She elevated the briefcase, her fingers curved around the handle, the polish on her thumbnail blinking red as if to taunt Boone with the color of blood.

For a moment, I saw anger rise in Boone. He had a primal way of losing his temper; he'd disappear for a while, living off the land and communing with nature, so he didn’t hurt a living creature. He closed his eyes, fists clenching and unclenching, before responding.

“Take samples from the others. You don’t need me.” Boone controlled his brewing anger. I knew him well enough to know that his instincts were telling him to hit the trail. I didn’t want him vanishing for a few days, always hated when he was gone.

“It’s going to be fine, Boone. Be over before you know it.” My promise was hollow. I didn’t know exactly how bad it was going to be... hell though, couldn’t be worse than getting a tattoo. We all had some of those.

“Be over right now if I want it to be,” Boone shrugged, shoving his large hands into his pockets and standing a little straighter, as if emphasizing how big he was next to the small Eros rep.

She didn’t move a muscle. The woman had nerves of steel.

“I apologize if the process is uncomfortable, Mister Atwood.” She gave him a practiced, sympathetic expression. “But we absolutely cannot give you Eros quality results if we do not have samples from the entire pack.”

“Coop,” Boone shifted his unhappiness in my direction, and I grimaced.

“Yes, Boone, my incredibly handsome pack brother whom I love dearly?” I said slowly, raising my eyebrows and trying like hell to look innocent.

“Payback’s a bitch.” Was all Boone said.

I felt bad for myself, for whatever payback might end up being, but mostly I felt bad for the techs, because they were going to have to strap Boone down to get their samples.

6

BOONE ATWOOD