~Omegas~

I took a few breaths, and thought about everything Gabriel had said. I slowly opened the bag, and sniffed, trying to ignore the weirdness of the whole situation. The scent was overpowering, and I shut the bag immediately. My senses had told me this was a definite no. I took a few more breaths through my nose, trying to clear out the scent before opening the other bag. I opened it, and sniffed. It was milder, like the forest after a rain. Not too bad, I thought. But I picked up something else on it, a vague other scent that tickled my nose. It smelled familiar and I pressed my face into it, my body responding slightly.

It took me a moment, then I knew. Gabriel. Maybe it was the other scent mixed with his that was causing me to react? I had smelled him before and why was it making me react now? I knew the closer I got to my heat the more smells would affect me. I tried smelling the shirt again, and I kept getting drawn back to where Gabriel's hand must have been. I finally gave up pretending I wasn't scenting him and laid back on the blankets, the shirt clutched to my face.

~Alphas~

Jasmine exited the elevator, and smiled brightly when she saw Jane sleeping, Samandriel's shirt clutched to her face. She turned and made her way back upstairs quickly.

Gabriel looked up as Jasmine ran towards him, hands moving a mile minute. The four archangels looked at her, then Gabriel smiled. "Samandriel's shirt? Are you sure?" Jasmine nodded and replied. She was asleep with that awful wiener hut shirt pressed to her face. "Good," said Gabriel, "I'll go down in a bit and talk to her." I'm going down now to wait Jasmine signed excitedly.

They chatted about it a bit, deciding Gabriel would be completely sure before bringing Samandriel down to see her. He headed down the elevator, and strolled over towards his mate, slipping an arm around her waist. Jasmine nuzzled his neck, and pointed. Didn't I tell you? Gabriel followed her gaze and saw Jane still sleeping, the red and white striped shirt pressed into her face. He spoke quietly. "Looks like it, but I need to be sure before dragging Sam down here to scent her." Jasmine nodded, shifting from foot to foot, anxious for the omega to awaken.

~Omegas~

My nose twitched, and the scent of dark chocolate and sex seemed almost overpowering, causing me to sit up quickly and look around. I saw Gabriel and Jasmine watching me, a huge smile on Jasmine's face. She signed quickly towards Gabriel. "Jasmine wants to know if you slept well. And the shirt you're holding is Samandriel's, what did you think of his scent?"

I wanted to tell them the truth, but one look at Jasmine and the thought of how it would make her feel was too much. So I told as much truth as I could. "It's… comforting, I mean if that makes sense?" Which was true, it felt comfortable, but it was Gabriel's scent that made my insides warm and tingly.

Jasmine smiled even brighter, her perfect white teeth showing. She signed and Gabriel spoke for her. "I'm so happy to hear that. I still don't want you to feel like you should jump at the first alpha you respond towards, but it's a really good sign." I nodded, and returned her smile. "Do you think I should meet him? Or should I give you something with my scent?" I barely got the words out and Gabriel shook his head. "No, I'd rather not have your scent upstairs yet." He turned towards Jasmine and something unspoken passed between them. She waved at me and headed back towards the elevator. Gabriel waited until she was gone, and the smile fell from his lips.

"Something else you'd like to tell me Jane?" His voice was emotionless, and his eyes guarded. I shifted uncomfortably, and stared down at the shirt in my hands, unable to speak. "Jane, maybe you forgot that I can tell when I am not getting the whole truth from someone. I believe you when you say his scent makes you comfortable, but what is it you aren't telling us?" I felt heat rising in my cheeks.

"It's your scent Gabriel, after we spoke last night, I noticed that Samandriel's shirt had your scent on it. And for some reason…" he started laughing, and I looked up at him. "Jane, I grabbed that shirt after I was all over my mate and hadn't showered. You must have smelled the sex on my hands, and I am sorry, that can have quite an effect on omegas." I breathed a sigh of relief, hoping Gabriel was right. "I guess that makes sense. But I really did find Samandriel's scent comforting. Maybe he should come down?" My voice came out whiny, and I hated it.

Gabriel looked thoughtful. "Yes, but from now on I'm staying clear just to be safe. Archangel Alphas have the strongest pheromones, and we should all stay away while you scent any potential mates." I tried to stay calm, and managed to do so until Gabriel was gone. I felt guilty and confused, why did it matter if Gabriel stayed away, especially since it was just the sex I smelled that made me want him. At least that's what I kept telling myself.

~Alphas~

Gabriel paced in his room, waiting for Jasmine. Jane's pheromones had rubbed him the wrong way from the beginning, and he should have said something to all of them, but hadn't. He ran his hands through his hair. Her scent clung to him like a bad feeling, and he needed to be rid of it. Where the hell was his mate at?

She came in a few moments later, giving him a concerned look and pulling him close. What's wrong? You're more jumpy than a cat in a dog kennel. He kissed the top of her head and breathed her scent in, cherry blossoms and honey. You ok? Gabriel fisted her hair and devoured her mouth, hands roaming her body eagerly. She whimpered, pressing herself against her mate. Gabriel picked her up and carried her to bed, needing more than a small distraction from his concerns about the omega downstairs.

~Omegas~

I heard the elevator and tried to relax. I saw Kevin and Kylee, followed by Samandriel, I recognized his scent immediately. I breathed him in as he came forward, and noticed Kevin and Kylee hanging back, they seemed to be there for moral support I guessed. Samandriel smelled a bit nervous, and he gave me a shy smile. "I'm Samandriel, but you can call me Sam if you'd like." I returned his smile, and breathed him in some more.

"Jane." His smell of fresh rain and forest tickled my nose, and I felt comfortable and relaxed immediately. "It's nice to meet you Sam." He stepped closer to the bars and I could see his nose twitching, and his smile widened. I hoped that meant he liked my scent, I really just wanted to get out, I wanted to have a relationship like Jasmine and… I needed to not think about Gabriel right now.

Samandriel's hands closed over the bars, and I slid my hands over his. I felt safe when we touched, the knowledge that Sam would always keep me protected filled me. I can do this, I told myself, and I can make this work.