The day had begun relatively well, even with Cassian leaving for his trip. Elias couldn't wipe the grin off his face even if he tried. It had practically glued itself to his cheeks the moment he stepped into the clinic that morning with the memory of Cassian's touch still lingering, warm, firm, slightly possessive. He floated more than walked down the hallway, humming under his breath as he sorted through files.
One of the nurses, Maddie, all sweet dimples and sharp eyes paused beside him, inhaled with a slow blink, and whispered, "You smell like alpha pheromones."
Elias almost dropped the clipboard. "I—do I?" he asked, trying and failing to look unaffected.
Maddie nodded knowingly. "Whoever your alpha is, he definitely likes you."
Elias preened without shame. Cassian likes him. The thought made Elias blush all the way to the tips of his ears.
He checked his phone again. Still nothing.
