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T he night is endless. A dozen feet from the rest of the group, I toss and turn, unable to sleep. The hard stone floor tortures my back, but it’s not discomfort keeping me awake. It’s the little omega, framed by her scent matches on either side. Jax is facing her, his features relaxed in sleep. Bear’s body is curled around Archer, but the mammoth alpha pushes the beta as close to Cora as he can without being in the sleeping bag with her. His meaty arm is draped over them both.

In sleep, they look like they’re already a pack. Even without formal courting, or intentions being stated, it’s clear where this is going. She’ll be mated by the next semester, maybe before this dig is over. Although, that’s not saying much, since the excavation of a temple like this could end up taking years.

Unable to stare at the ceiling for another second, I creep closer to the rest of the group. The strength of Jax’s scent pummels me first. I’ll never confess it to him, but I’ve always loved absinthe. Not the cheap bright green stuff, but the good stuff, the top shelf stuff. The kind that has more complex notes than just licorice, that has other botanicals and herbs mixed with the anise seed. That smells as complex as Jax’s personality. It’s fitting.

Bear’s spicy honey, and, to a lesser degree, Archer’s herbal berries, mix surprisingly well with Jax’s potent liquor. But all of it covers the scent I’m looking for, the scent I need to satisfy my curiosity.

To avoid making noise, I sink to my knees and crawl forward, creeping closer and closer to Cora’s head. Her hair fans out on the thin pillow she made out of Jax’s button up, and I know if I can get near enough, I’ll be able to smell her.

Almost there.

Jax throws his arm over Cora, startling me. I look at him, and he’s staring back, that infuriating smirk lifting one side of his face.

“Go ahead, professor,” he whispers.

Cora stirs, rolling closer to Jax.

Staring the man down, I ease forward. There’s an undercurrent to the scents now. Something… my heart squeezes. Breath knocked from my lungs. I scramble backward so quickly, that I miscalculate how close I am to one of the pools. My knee hits nothing but air, and it’s too late for me to recalibrate.

Splash!

Water floods into my nostrils, but it does nothing to cleanse the scent.

Mate.