Page 44 of Believe it or Knot

Home. I love the sound of that. Home with the five of us. Because I have no doubt that Gage and Sorrel’s friendship is going to become a hell of a lot more than that. And soon, if the heat in his eyes anytime he looks at her is anything to go by.

I can’t wait for that.

The only thing my little omega heart wants is for my pack to be together and happy. I’d give up everything else for that. The money, the fame, my career.

Not that any of my pack members would make me do that. But I would if they asked.

Without a second’s hesitation.

Even if it was Gage, who is a growly bear and won’t stop glaring at anyone who isn’t Sorrel.

I just need to prove to him we can do this. We can be the pack he needs. And that starts with proving that we can be the pack Sorrel needs.

I give her a sly smirk. “I think we should hit the Ferris wheel.”

One of her gorgeous aqua eyes squints at me like she’s trying to figure out what the hell that means and why there’s a spike in my cheesecake scent, even through the scent dampeners I have on.

We all put them on this morning. It’s a standing agreement in our pack that if we go out in public, we hide our scents. It’s not normal, but the last thing we want is to be recognized by rabid fans, especially at a time like this, where I want all my focus on my girl. Before we started taking this precaution, fans found me just because they smelled cheesecake and followed it to the source.

All over the internet fans have posted videos of them following what they think will be my scent and being disappointed when they come across a bakery instead.

“Okay,” she draws out the word before tilting her head to find the ride towering above us. I hook an arm around her waist and drag her toward the Ferris wheel, only to be brought up short by a woman around Sorrel’s age with a chocolate smeared toddler on her hip.

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she says, wincing slightly. I already have my fan smile in place, curling my lips in that welcoming way that I practiced for hours in the mirror to get it just right. Only… the woman’s eyes aren’t focused on me, they’re on… Gage. “I just had to double check I was seeing this right. Is that Gage Wagner?”

Sorrel laughs as Gage steps forward, his face melting into something a little warmer than the sub-zero he’s been treating us to all day.

“You aren’t losing your vision, Joann,” the girl on my arm quips. “It is indeed the great Gage Wagner, back from doing heroic shi-stuff.” She corrects herself.

I swear a faint pink colors the growly man’s cheeks as he moves forward to wrap one arm tentatively around the woman and her child in a quick hug. The kid fusses and he steps back quickly, though I suspect it has more to do with Gage’s discomfort than the child’s.

“How’s it going, Joann?” He asks, looking politely interested, but also like he’d rather be anywhere but here right now.

“Oh, good.” She hefts the toddler higher. “Married Chet, popped out a few little ones.” Her eyes move to my girl. “Sorrel.” Her tone is decidedly less friendly, but Sorrel just smiles.

“Joann. How’s Gertie doing? I heard she caught the flu last week.”

Joann’s brows arch in surprise, like she either can’t believe Sorrel knows this or she can’t believe she’s asking about it. “She’s good,” she says slowly. “All better. Thrilled to be well enough to come here.” She glances over her shoulder. “She’s around here somewhere with Lydia Greer and her little girl, Kori.”

Sorrel smiles wider. “I’m sure they’re having a great time.” I watch them converse, taking in the dynamic. Sorrel does most of the talking while Gage gets most of the attention. Joann’s eyes stay focused on the big alpha in a way that speaks of a greater familiarity than just friendly. Maybe that’s why Joann seems standoffish to Sorrel.

She’s always had a thing for Gage, and Sorrel is his best friend, soon to be more. Maybe Joann had visions of Gage falling in love with her, but she views Sorrel as the reason it didn’t happen. Either way, there’s some definite tension in the air.

And Sorrel seems to just ignore it, her fake pleasant smile on her mouth as she catches up with a woman who clearly doesn’t like her, but won’t walk the fuck away because of Gage, who is apparently a bit of a big deal around here.

Joann slides her gaze to Gage with a coy smile on her lips. “Did you hear about the Stillwell pack?”

I stiffen at the name and, out of the corner of my eye, I see Gray and Rafe pull in just a little closer.

The smile drops from Sorrel’s face as her brow furrows. “No, I didn’t. What happened?”

“Two nights ago, someone beat the shit,” she mouths the swear word before continuing, “out of them.”

“Is that so?” Sorrel glances up at Gage and then back to the rest of us. Not one of us meets her gaze. Gage stares pointedly at Joann, like he’s enthralled by her revelation. Gray and Rafe are looking around the fair like they find the games and the rides fascinating suddenly, and I’m focused on a funnel cake vendor. Though, to be fair, I really want to try a funnel cake. They look delicious.

“Mmhmm,” Joann says, looking at the rest of us. “Couple of them ended up in the hospital.”

“Really.” Sorrel glares around at the four of us, totally giving away the game. But Joann doesn’t seem to catch on, too eager to share the gossip.

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