Page 6 of Where There’s Smoke (Fire House Omegas #2)

Melody

T he nerve of the stupidly hot firefighter!

“You really should leave me alone,” I grumbled as he dumped me in the seat of his spacious SUV. “I’m not your property, and I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

Maybe he was compensating for something? Like, he felt bad for the shelter, and I was sort of friends with Rune, so maybe…

“You aren’t sleeping in a car. Do you have no regard for your safety?” he growled, before stalking over to the driver's side.

For a brief moment, I considered getting out, but I had no doubt that he would chase me down and force me back into this car. I had a feeling I’d end up regretting that. Mr. Firefighter didn't seem like he was in a playful mood—like, ever.

Quite the opposite. In fact, he was acting like a dick.

Now that I wasn’t dealing with my shelter being on fire, I could take a second to appreciate him.

Dark waves of hair, brown eyes and a sharp jawline.

He had a small scar on his left cheek, but it was almost hidden by the thin smattering of stubble that made it seem like he hadn’t shaved in a day or two.

“Of course, I have regard for my own safety,” I mumbled, fussing with the puppy in my lap. She was so upset and confused. I needed to get her settled into a proper bed with a bottle.

The alpha looked over at me, his expression utterly baffled and infuriated. “Well, clearly not. You're sleeping in a car in one of the worst parts of town. Next to a building that just burned down. Do you have any idea what sort of lowlifes burned buildings attract?”

That hadn’t really crossed my mind, but I didn’t want to admit that to the alpha. I’d already had plenty of the pity in his eyes.

“My car has good locks. I was fine. I mean, I used to sleep in the building, and I never ran into any trouble.”

The guy rolled his eyes. “You are infuriating .”

The words hit me like a slap, and I glared at him. “And you kidnapped me!”

“Well, apparently you needed kidnapping!”

I glowered at him, trying to think of a witty comeback.

Jesus, what was I doing? Having a screaming match with a firefighter who helped me and my animals get out of said burned building.

Inhaling deeply, I wished I could make out his scent.

My nose had been funny ever since the fire.

I couldn't get the scent of charred metal and building out of my nostrils.

And all of that was adding up to put me in the worst mood possible.

Even though he was a dick, he was a very handsome dick. I’d put good money on him smelling just as good as he looked, being an alpha and all.

“You scared the dog.” I didn’t look at him, staring out over the dash as I stroked the puppy’s head.

He scoffed but didn’t respond, and then the engine was going.

The heat came on rapidly, and I silently cursed the fact that this guy’s car was so much nicer than mine.

I’d been cold in the sedan, and I knew it wasn’t great for my little roommate.

Even being in Mr. Firefighter’s car was nicer than my now-demolished rescue.

Jerk.

It was quiet as he pulled onto the street.

The dog in my arms settled some, and I could tell she was liking this new, warmer situation.

She needed to eat soon, but I’d deal with that when this butthead got me to whichever shelter we were going to.

I watched the lights outside the car as we drove, and then we were turning farther into downtown, not leaving it like we should be.

I perked up in the car, glancing around, and as we pulled up to a rather large, very distinct building, my stomach sank.

“The fire station?” I asked, turning to my abductor in confusion. “I thought you were taking me to a shelter?”

“Unfortunately, I can't take you to a shelter, because they're not safe for omegas. So you’re staying here for a while.”

I glared at him. “Has anyone told you that you're infuriatingly bossy?” What was this guy not getting about me being a beta? His buddies had been like that, too, and it was getting damn annoying.

His eyebrow quirked. “Well, that's good, considering I am the boss.”

“Of course you are.” I sighed, rolling my eyes to myself. “And a smart-ass.”

I’d muttered the words, not wanting him to hear me, but I could have sworn I saw a smile tug at the corner of his lips.

Mr. Firefighter turned off the car and stepped out of the SUV. Again, I considered whether I should use his phone to call a shelter when I was inside, but it wasn’t like I was looking forward to the idea of staying in one. It would be easier to care for the puppy here, anyway.

Dragging my feet, I got out of the car, holding my little bundle while I grabbed the supplies to keep her fed and happy. The firefighter who’d decided to kidnap me just stared as I gathered my stuff, waiting not so patiently near the door to the station.

“You going to help me carry things or force me to drop all this stuff?” I narrowed my eyes at him, and he reluctantly came over, taking the supplies.

“I thought you were perfectly capable of caring for yourself?”

If it wasn’t for the puppy, I would’ve smacked him. “And you have some kidnapping to make up for, now, don’t you?”

Again, he did his best to hide that smirk of his as he sauntered off toward the station, holding the door open for me.

As soon as I was inside, he led me to an area at the back that looked much more like a typical house, and a booming voice greeted me.

“Hey, firecracker! You’re here!” The curly blond-haired alpha from earlier beamed. There was another firefighter behind him, one I didn’t recognize, with salt and pepper curls.

“Not willingly,” I grumbled, throwing a glare his boss's way.

“Huh?” His face dropped in confusion as he approached me, folding his arms across his chest.

“This one kidnapped me,” I explained, jerking my head toward the Boss Man as my jaw tightened reflexively.

“She was sleeping in her car outside of the shelter that burned down,” the bossy alpha growled before eyeing me. “I wasn’t about to leave you there.”

Blondie, who I think was named Fitz, furrowed his brow. “Elliot, you…you did what, now?”

Before he could answer, I stepped between Fitz and his boss, trying to appeal to the common sense of this other firefighter, since it was clearly lacking in Elliot.

“That doesn't change the fact that it was kidnapping. You physically picked me up and removed me from my car. That is the definition of kidnapping! Also, your name is Elliot? You failed to introduce yourself.”

Elliot pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration while Fitz’s face broke into a large grin. He was trying not to laugh, but tiny bursts of it were escaping through his lips.

“Yep, and this guy behind me is Luke, one of the firefighters here.”

The unknown man waved at me, looking thoroughly confused.

“So, I guess you’re staying here with us, then?” Fitz asked.

“Apparently so,” I mumbled. Elliot looked far too pleased with my response, so I glared at him again, making a face as the words tumbled from my mouth. “I don't know why you think I would want to room with a bunch of stinky firefighters, though.”

“You think I'm stinky?” Fitz asked with a pout that was adorable and tugged at me. He knew he was handsome in that boyish, cute way, and he clearly wasn't above using it for his benefit. I wanted to be annoyed at that, but he was too charming to allow it.

I scrunched my nose. “Actually, I have no idea how you smell. All I can smell is smoke. Ever since the fire, I haven't been able to smell anything else…”

Elliot turned toward me, the scowl dropping away, replaced by a look of curiosity. He got up in my face, taking it in his fingers and checking me over.

“W-what are you doing?” Leaning away wasn’t stopping him, and I tried to move my face out of his hold.

“Anosmia,” Elliot said, like that explained everything.

“Use your words, buddy,” I growled. This was the worst damn day.

Luckily, Fitz spoke for him. “That's the technical term for when you temporarily lose your sense of smell. It happens occasionally when people have been in fires, and I assume you inhaled a good amount of smoke while you were rescuing all those cats and dogs.”

“So, she can’t smell us at all?” a deep voice asked from behind Fitz.

Craning my neck, I saw the giant firefighter from earlier.

“Nope,” Fitz said, a smile spreading across his face.

“Oh, and I don’t know if the introductions were made, but this is Elliot and Samson.

You’ve already figured out Elliot’s the boss, and both are my pack mates.

Obviously, I'm the pretty one. Luke was lucky and avoided joining the pack, on account of finding the love of his life. Personally, I think he was just intimidated by my beauty!”

I scoffed, making Elliot withdraw his fingers.

“Also, the comedic relief, apparently.” Samson smiled before turning to me. “Is everything okay? Why are you here? Didn’t you have that friend to go stay with?”

Fitz whirled around to face him, a giant grin on his face. “Hmm, seems Elliot found Melody in a rather prickly situation. Found her sleeping in her car outside of the rescue and decided to bring her back here.” His voice was full of barely contained glee.

“Seriously?” Samson’s eyebrows rose.

“You guys are acting like this is very shocking…” I trailed off, confused.

“Oh, it has nothing to do with you, firecracker.

Elliot is simply grumpy, and when we suggested you stay here after the fire, he was all, ‘We don't take in strays!’ And now he’s the one who brought you here.

Don't get me wrong, I'm freaking elated, but I am barely resisting the urge to say I told you so …”

Fitz grinned boyishly at me and Elliot, and while I was charmed as hell, I could see the anger flare through Elliot’s eyes. Part of me bristled at being called a stray by Elliot, but then again, he wasn't exactly wrong.

“I can lea?—”

“No,” Elliot growled, his voice firm and leaving no room for disagreement.

I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to just start listening to the orders barked by a man I barely knew.

Still, where else was I going to go? I didn’t love the idea of sleeping in the car.

That would only work temporarily, and again, it’d be easier to take care of the puppy here.

Crap. Was I losing my mind? Was I actually considering staying at a fire station? It wasn't like I had many other options, but…

All these guys had been sweet to me.

Well, other than Elliott. He was just a bossy dick who clearly got off on being in charge. But, hey, many alphas were like that.

“Come on. Your room will be down here,” Elliot stated, nodding to a hallway that led out the back of the lobby. “Once you're settled, I'll show you the kitchen, and you can get everything you need set up for the dog.”

“You've got her here?! Yes! That’s perfect. Every good firehouse needs a Dalmatian!” Fitz exclaimed, rushing forward to take a look at the bundle in my arms.

“Are you going to be a little firehouse pooch?” I hummed, nuzzling the puppy in my arms.

Jeez, what was I saying?

“Come on.”

Elliot started off, and with little other choice, I followed him.

He led me toward a set of doors on the right of a long hallway.

The first door was open, and as we passed, I could see inside.

It was clearly the guy’s office, paperwork and stuff strewn about his large desk.

After that was a bedroom that was sparsely decorated but obviously used.

“You sleep in here. Bathroom is that door to the left of the bed.”

Looking around the space, I could tell that this wasn't some guest room. I mean, we were in a fire station, not someone’s home.

“I’m sorry. Is this your?—”

“It usually is, yeah. But you’ll be using it for now.”

Discomfort rumbled through me, and even the puppy picked up on it, whimpering quietly. I was supposed to sleep in this guy’s bed? Was he nuts? Where was the dog going to sleep? Elliot didn’t have a kennel. Was she supposed to sleep in here with me?

“Umm, I’m not sure how I feel about that. I have this dog with me, and you don’t know me. Is there somewhere else that?—”

“You could sleep with the stinky firefighters upstairs. Sound more appealing?”

His snark was going to get him a swift kick in the ass at this rate. I sighed, dropping my head. If the puppy peed in his bed, that was on him.

“Fine. I guess that means it’s time for bed.” I put on a fake smile, gesturing toward the door. “Night, bossy.”

“Fine. There’re signs that point to the kitchen, it’s hard to miss. I assume you're going to need to feed that little monster,” he said, nodding to the puppy.

“Ah, yeah. That would be useful. I need warm water for the bottle…”

“Use the kitchen whenever you want. Just try not to be much of a disturbance,” he grumbled.

I grinned. “You’ll hardly notice me, grumpy. Now go away so I can sleep.”

His eyes narrowed, but Elliot didn’t say anything. He just turned on his heel and left. I stood there with a dog in my arms for far too long. I was sleeping in a fire station because my rescue had burned down.

How was this my life?