Page 5 of Cruel Knots

We’re wolves in sheep’s clothing. If we cared for her, we’d stay far from her, but my brothers and I are like moths who can’t ignore her flame.

It doesn’t matter if we’re burned to ashes.

Lucia Baldwin means everything to us.

2

Lucia

Warmth and hope spread through my heart at the sight of my three best friends. Trevor left me waiting for over an hour at the auditorium gates. I couldn’t help but feel super self-conscious as groups of people passed me by with their friends and dates.

My anxiety vanishes as soon as I see my friends’ familiar faces.

Even though Damien, Leon, and Mikhail are wearing tuxes, they easily stand apart from the rest of the crowd. They’re older, taller, and more handsome than most of the guys here.

But it’s not just that, I realize, looking at their beautiful faces.

There’s something about them that makes them seem different. I can never put my finger on it but since the moment my gaze fell on them, I felt an insane, inexplicable pull toward them.

“Where’s your date?” Mikhail asks, reaching me first. Strands of his silver-blond hair are swept away from his broad forehead, giving him a polished look. I stare into his silvery eyes, forgetting all about Trevor.

“I don’t know,” I say with a frown. “He was supposed to meet me here an hour ago. I tried calling him but he wouldn’t pick up.” My cheeks flush with embarrassment. “I guess he decided to ghost me.”

A strong arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me against a hard body. “That’s his loss,” Leon whispers in my ear. His warm breath skims along my neck, sending a shiver through me.

Unlike Mikhail, he’s kept his fiery red hair loose and wild. Almost unconsciously, I try to take a whiff of his addictive clove and cinnamon fragrance. Disappointment washes over me as I catch notes of an artificial perfume that masks his natural scent.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, noticing the change in my expression.

“It’s nothing,” I mutter, desperately trying to hide my attraction toward him and his brothers.

“Are you enjoying the party?” Damien asks, drawing my attention to him.

My heart kicks up and beats harder as I meet his intense gaze. He’s the eldest and the tallest among his brothers with the broadest shoulders I’ve ever seen on a guy. His dark hair falls into his piercing blue eyes, giving him a dark, sexy look that surprisingly suits him.

“Not really,” I confess with a smile. “I hate loud music and crowded places.” Stepping closer to him, I stand on my toes. Automatically, he bends lower, lending me his ear. “I hate their choice of music too.”

Damien chuckles. “If you don’t want to be here, just tell us. We can do whatever you like, Princess. We’re yours for the evening.”

I love it when they say things like that. Even though we’re friends, a part of me feels extremely possessive of Damien and his brothers. My omega instincts are already being fired by a group of older girls who are ogling them shamelessly.

They’re my friends. No one else has the right to even look at them!

“This is the first time you guys have come to my school,” I say, struggling to suppress the jealousy burning in my chest. “How about I show you around the campus?”

The suggestion seems silly because it’s nighttime and the only thing worth seeing on campus is a specially designed rose garden. The place is beautiful during the daytime with roses blooming in myriad colors but it’s useless to go there now.

A strange look passes between Damien, Leon, and Mikhail. They often do it, as if they’re sharing a secret between themselves.

“Let’s do that, then,” says Damien. “We’d love to see your school.”

I can’t believe they’re agreeing to it. How can a girl keep her heart in check when these handsome men treat her like a real princess, agreeing to her silliest whims?

Excitement swells inside me as I lead the way. Loud thuds of hip-hop music follow us as we walk further away from the auditorium.

On most occasions, I’m a meek little coward among my peers. Tonight, though, I’m walking with squared shoulders and a raised chin as everyone checks out the three young alphas escorting me.

Damien and his brothers are a couple of years older than me, easily attracting the attention of the senior omegas. Some of them are bold enough to call out to them but my friends don’t even bother looking in their direction.

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