Page 9 of Knotty Pumpkin

“Noah!” Corey berates his larger counterpart, slapping him on the shoulder and offering him a death glare. A small snort escapes me, and Noah grins, his whole face lighting up and causing my nipples to harden against my work shirt. Fuck, the effect these guys are having on me. I kind of regret sneaking out. If their scents can affect me like this, imagine what their touch could do.

The thought has more slick pooling in my already soaked panties, and Noah’s grin widens.

“What my partner meant was, would you like to go on a date with us? Get to know us? Your scent is fucking incredible, like a siren call, and we’d very much like to spend some time with you and explore whatever this is.”

It’s my turn to grin like an idiot as I nod. What’s the worst that could happen? The way their scents call to me feels like a sign, a good omen. I want to explore it further and see if there’s a genuine connection beneath the lust.

“I get off in an hour. Meet me by the lake?”

Chapter Six

The afternoon sun shines brightly upon Linnara Lake, the light reflecting off the water. Ripples dance across the surface as a couple of ducks swim lazily in the fresh water. They’ll be getting ready to migrate soon, moving onto their breeding grounds.

One side of the Lake is enclosed by a wooded area, the leaves on the trees various shades of orange, red, and brown, lots of fallen leaves already scatteringthe forest floor. The other side faces the university campus, an open lawn sprawling to the edge of the first buildings and the cafe Saylor will come from, currently occupied by a small university fall festival and giving me a nice casual activity for our first date.

Saylor.

The thought of my little omega and her intoxicating pumpkin spice scent has my cock twitching in my sweatpants. There are way too many people bustling around, setting up their stalls and tents. Adjusting my semi-hard package, I resume pacing along the shoreline.

Corey had been about to start work when we’d approached Saylor in Sip ‘n’ Study. Although he’d kept a straight face and been fully supportive of her meeting me solo, I had felt his heavy disappointment and envy through our pack bond. I’ll have to make it up to him later. When I check our connection, the envy is still there, but there’s excitement and curiosity brewing beside it now.

We spoke about Saylor last night, discussing what to do about the mysterious pumpkin spice omega whose scent calls to both of us with an intensity I hadn’t thought possible. It’s been a few years since Corey and I packed, and we haven’t even been considering adding another member.

But ignoring a scent match—a rarity not bestowed upon many in our community—isn’t something either ofus wants to do. Saylor is beautiful and intriguing. She’s nothing like any other omega I’ve met. From our few short meetings, it’s clear she’s full of sass, not quite as submissive as most of her kind. And I guess I kind of like that.

Lost in my own thoughts, I don’t notice Saylor approaching until a hint of her spicy scent floats to me on the chill autumn breeze. Grinning, I spin around, spotting her a few yards away.

Mine.

My alpha is ready to claim her, despite not really knowing anything about her. Hell, I didn’t even know her name until this morning.

Striding across the space, I close the distance between us, quickly scooping her up into a hug, needing to feel her petite form pressed against me like it was the other night.

“Woah, easy there, Muscle Man,” she laughs, placing her hands against my chest and pushing away from me. “Let’s work up to intimate embraces, maybe have a conversation first.”

Fuck, she’s right. “I’m sorry,” I say, lowering her to the ground and stepping backwards, creating some space between us. “I got ahead of myself. I do that sometimes.”

“No worries,” she says through a smile that has my heart thumping in my chest. “The pull is kind of hard to ignore, huh?”

“Understatement of the year,” I mutter as she moves to my side, taking my hand in hers and grinning up at me as she winks.

“Let’s go for a walk around the lake, then maybe check out the festival? They should be open by the time we lap around.”

“Sounds amazing,” I say, leading her to the gravel walking path a couple of yards from the bank and beginning to walk at a leisurely pace. I don’t want to rush this time with her. Not even a little bit. I inhale deeply, taking in her scent and allowing myself to calm.

“Is Corey joining us?” she asks, a small line forming between her brows as she frowns. My eyes are drawn to a few wayward strands of hair dancing across her face in the breeze, and I watch as she tucks them behind her ear. A vision of my hands running through those silky strands, tugging her head back while I devour her lips, consumes me.

Her frown subsides as my scent joins hers, visibly relaxing her. I’m not sure she even notices as she steps closer to me, grasping my hand more firmly than before.

“Sorry, Pumpkin, he had to work,” I say, shaking my head to clear those images. My attraction to this omega is undeniable. The desire to protect and comfort her is welcome, but overwhelming and more intense than I couldhave imagined. I love Corey, and I’m protective of the smaller alpha. But he doesn’t need me to fight his battles for him. He’s more than capable of doing that on his own. It doesn’t quite satisfy those protective alpha instincts. Not like Saylor does.

Lifting our hands in front of us, I twist my wrist, showing her the bite mark there representing the bond between Corey and I.

“He’s disappointed, and somewhat jealous,” I tell her as her chocolate brown eyes glance up to meet mine.

“Mmmm,” she ponders playfully. “Well, he’ll just have to make it up to me. Let’s make this date one to top.”

Not one to shy away, I say, “Challenge accepted.”

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