The Scent I Was Never Supposed to Want

Arlo 

Morning light filtered through the penthouse windows. I stood by the kitchen island, sipping black coffee. It did little to clear the fog from last night’s heat.

My body ached in dull waves. The suppressants had blunted the worst of it, but every brush of clothing reminded me how fragile my new Omega body was. 

School can’t wait, whether I felt like facing the world or not. voss heirs didn’t get sick days, the family name demanded excellence.

Raphael had stayed until dawn, the bastard had worked on his laptop in the armchair while I drifted in and out of restless sleep. Now he was back. He leaned against the counter in a fresh charcoal suit that screamed power. His hair was perfect, jaw clean-shaven, but those storm-gray eyes watched me with the same intensity.

“Parents are still in Europe for another month,” he said without warning. Keys dangled from his fingers. “I’m dropping you off. Move.”

I set my mug down harder than necessary. “I can drive myself. I’m not a child.”

“You can barely stand straight.” His gaze flicked over me, noting my pale face and the way I shifted my weight. “Don’t argue. Car’s waiting.”

The elevator ride down was silent. The air felt thick with our mingled scents. In the garage, Raphael’s sleek black Aston Martin purred to life. I slid into the passenger seat, arms crossed, and stared out the tinted window. The city streets blurred past. My skin still felt too warm. My thoughts were scattered. The heat had eased, but it left a restless itch I didn’t want to think about.

We were halfway to campus when Raphael broke the silence. “Don’t do anything stupid today. No fucking just anyone because the edge is still there. Show some restraint.”

My head snapped toward him. “What if I don’t?”

His jaw ticked, could see his knuckles turning white on the steering wheel. The car sped up smoothly through traffic, but the tension inside grew tighter. “You’re not a whore, Arlo. This is a little heat compared to what’s coming. And you want to do what — find someone else? As much as you’re becoming an Omega, don’t forget you’re from an Alpha bloodline. Act like it.”

The lecture grated on me. I snorted and turned in my seat to glare at him fully. “Enough with the preaching. Why do you care? You made it clear last night I’m just bad for business. Drop the concerned act.”

Raphael’s lips curved into a smirk. It was cold and infuriatingly attractive. He kept his eyes on the road, but the look sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. “That’s where you get it all wrong, baby. I don’t.”

“Stop calling me that,” I hissed. Heat flooded my cheeks. The pet name always hit differently. Part insult, part something that made my Omega instincts wake up. I hated it. I hated how easily it rolled off his tongue.

Raphael chuckled low. The sound vibrated through my chest. “Why? Does it bother you?” He pulled up to the university gates. 

The campus spread out before us with ivy-covered buildings and students rushing between classes. But he didn’t unlock the doors right away. Instead, he reached over and adjusted the collar of my shirt. His fingers lingered a beat too long against my warm skin. “You reek of last night’s heat. Try not to draw the wrong kind of attention.”

I slapped his hand away. My pulse raced. “I can handle myself. Unlike you, I don’t need to control everything in sight.” I grabbed my bag and shoved the door open. I stepped out into the crisp air. Students nearby glanced at the luxury car and its famous driver. Raphael Voss rarely played chauffeur.

As I turned to slam the door, Raphael leaned across the seat. His voice dropped. “Text me if it gets bad again. And stay away from the east wing lounges. They’re crawling with low-tier Alphas this semester.”

I didn’t answer, I strode toward the main quad with my head high. The car idled behind me for a long moment before it pulled away. I could still feel his eyes on my back. That smirk stayed burned in my memory. The whole interaction left me rattled. Annoyance and that undeniable pull twisted together inside me. Why did Raphael have to be so infuriatingly present? So impossible to ignore?

Classes dragged. My focus kept breaking between lectures and the subtle stares from classmates who knew about my shift. Whispers followed me through the halls. By midday, the lingering heat effects made it hard to concentrate. I skipped the cafeteria and found a quiet bench under a cluster of trees to review my notes.

That was when my phone buzzed. 

Unknown number: Heard you’re riding solo through your cycles now. My place is free tonight. 98% match, just like the big brother prefers. Let me help.

I stared at the screen. My jaw tightened. Before I could delete it, another message came.

Don’t pretend you’re above it, Voss. Everyone knows what Omegas need.

My stomach twisted. The words sounded too much like Raphael’s warnings. I deleted the thread, but the unease stayed with me. Who was this? And how did they know about Raphael’s involvement?

I shoved the phone into my pocket and headed to my next class. My shoulders stayed tense, the campus suddenly felt smaller. Eyes seemed to watch me everywhere. As I crossed the central courtyard, a familiar black Aston Martin caught my eye. It was parked illegally near the admin building. Raphael stood beside it, talking to one of the deans. His expression was unreadable.

What was he still doing here?

My steps faltered. Before I could change direction, Raphael’s gaze locked onto me across the distance. The smirk was gone, smething sharper and more dangerous replaced it.

Then my phone buzzed again. This time it was Raphael.

Don’t even think about replying to strays. We need to talk. Now.

My blood ran hot. How did he —?

A sharp scent hit me from behind. Another Alpha.

He stepped too close on the path. “Hey, Voss. You look like you could use some real company after all.”

My heat-flushed skin prickled with warning as the stranger’s hand brushed my arm.