Page 18 of Scent of Sanctuary
Seraphina
Myfingertracestheextravagant call center board that’s been sitting in the corner of my living room for nearly four years. There’s a computer hooked up to it and buttons I barely use, all wired to keep me linked to the firehouse from the safety of my apartment. It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, dispatching from home—an opportunity that only came out of Felix begging the chief. I was surprised when he said yes.
In this tiny town, emergencies are scarce and most of my days pass with me curled in the armchair by the desk, handling calls as needed. As one of two dispatchers, I handle half the traffic, maybe a lost camper or a stove fire. It’s an easy gig, but when it hits, it hits hard.
I snuggle in, wrapping my new favorite blanket around me before pulling the headphones on. Callum, Lyle, and Ambrose’s scents are still lingering in the living room as I take a large whiff, the mingled aroma calming my restless Omega. I couldn’t bring myself to spray descenter today so I told myself I’d keep their scents until Victoria, my Beta doctor, comes for my check-up.
Until then, I let myself sink into their essence, even if it stirs up my heat, slick coating the panty liner I was smart enough to put in today. Shoving down thoughts of them, I focus on the call board and then justwait.
It’s not even fifteen minutes into my shift before the phone rings and I answer, tapping the side of my headset. I clear my throat, throwing on my customer service voice. “Trence Emergency services. How can I help you?”
There’s a panicked male voice on the other line, saying his shed’s ablaze. I try to soothe him as I type a message into the chatroom the firehouse uses for communication, giving as much information as I can. He rumbles off an address, shouting for us to hurry, that his life’s work is there.
“Help’s coming, sir, just stay back, okay?” My fingers dart across the keyboard, sending additional information to the team, the man’s fear bleeding through his words. “You’re doing fine,” I say, “listen for the sirens, they’re on their way.” I stay with him until the wail cuts through, and he mumbles,“They’re here.”
I wait a little bit longer, just until I hear one of the firefighters in the background and then hang up. My gaze falls on the small picture of my brother beside the laptop. “We did it, Felix.” A small smile plays on my lips as I relax back in the cushions a little, trying to keep the tears at bay. I still remember when he’d come home from a shift, him and the guys, loud, boisterous as they stumbled into the living room to lighten up my day.
He’s no longer here to keep that light alive but it’s never really died. Not with his best friends surrounding me all the time, taking care of me, protecting me,loving me.
The rest of my shift passes uneventfully, a quick call to rescue a cat, and then one of the new recruits prank calling me. It ended disastrously, although it did pull a smile from me. The moment the clock hits twelve, I log out of everything and put together a makeshift sandwich from leftovers the night before. And then I cuddle up on the couch, two hours to spare before Victoria tells me how many drugs she can give me so that I can block out my heat this time.
Halfway through my sandwich, my phone rings, a video call from Ambrose begging for attention. I answer, my cheeks stuffed with bread, his eyes full of laughter as they meet mine. “Hey, gorgeous.”
I chew quickly and swallow, my cheeks heating in embarrassment. “Aren’t you supposed to be working?” I ask, setting the plate on the coffee table.
Ambrose laughs, before shifting the camera, showing a hardware store in the background. “The guys sent me on an errand and I thought I’d bring you with me.”
I sit forward, leaning my elbows on my knees, a small giggle escaping me. “Why do I feel like you volunteered?”
He turns the camera back to himself, his grin turning sheepish. “Guilty! That’s not the point. I found a really cute little shop with fairy lights.” He flips the camera again, panning to a small storefront wedged next to the hardware store, its window glowing with strings of tiny bulbs, some shaped like stars, others like flowers.
“Ambrose, are you going to buy me lights for my nest?”
“Yes! But I need to make sure I get the right ones or I’ll end up stringing them up in my room. Lyle doesn’t really like a lot of light, though.”
I snort at his excitement as he steps inside the store. “Wait, is that where my pillow ended up?”
“Mypillow, angel. You gifted it to me and yes, it’s on my bed. It’s my favorite pillow now.”
The camera spans several shelves, displays of lighting that I couldn’t have even dreamed of. His hand steadies and he moves a little slower, his other hand sweeping in front of the camera. “So, you can read or do whatever shit you do in there.” He starts talking fast almost as if he’s nervous, pointing out different kinds—warm white, soft blue, even ones with little crystal pendants. I’ve never mentioned wanting lights in my nest, never thought of it, but his excitement, the way he’s so damn eager to make my space better, is everything.
I lean closer to the screen, my fingers twisting the hem of my shirt. “That one,” I say, pointing at a string of warm white stars. It’s simple but it’ll give me the illusion of staring up at the night sky. “I like those.”
“Fuck yeah,” Ambrose says, grabbing the box, flipping the camera back to his face. “I’m getting it. I’ll be over later, okay? I think Lyle’s got another overnight shift, so no ice cream tonight.”
I bite my lip, my heart sinking a little. “You don’t have to.” Callum texted that Lyle might not make it this afternoon before his shift only because he hadn’t been sleeping well for some reason. I understood but that didn’t mean I was ecstatic about it.
Ambrose narrows his gaze at me, bringing the phone closer to his face until all I can see are those hazel eyes and boyish smile, rings hooked through his lips. “Angel, if you don’t want us there, just say it, but we’re not doing this out of obligation. I’d rather live in that house with you than be anywhere else.”
“Even if I only let you touch me sometimes and was sedated for my heat?” My voice comes out in a whisper, not believing Ambrose for a second that he’d be okay with that.
However, there’s no hesitation. “Yeah, if you only ever let me sit in your presence, I’d do just that for the rest of time. Any piece I get of you is precious—your smile, your laughter, your food—and if that’s all you’re comfortable giving, then that’s all I want.”
I manage a smile. “Okay. I’ll see you later. The doctor’s gonna be here soon.”
The call ends as he throws me a small kiss, dangling the lights for me to see them one more time, and then hangs up. I don’t deserve these men in the slightest but I won’t be able to take this next step without them. I just hope Victoria has good news for me.
Seraphina
