Page 10 of Knot So Sweet

"Possibly my brother," I said, taking a sip of my coffee.

Julia’s interest sharpened. "Oh? What did Owen Huxley do now?"

"Same shit as always," I grumbled, stirring my coffee. "He thinks he’s protecting me, but really, he’s just making everything worse. You know how it is." I said with a shrug. "Overprotective alpha bullshit. Like I can’t handle myself. Apparently, Owen and Shade have made some kind of deal with the Hounds."

Julia rolled her eyes, a knowing smirk on her lips. "Roman’s the same way. My brother and his pack act like, just because I’m pregnant, I need to be wrapped in bubble wrap and kept away from any drama. Like I’m some delicate flower. Hello? I run a diner by myself! It’s fucking ridiculous."

"I can’t actually imagine you playing the damsel in distress role. Even pregnant," I said, shaking my head. "How far along are you now?"

"Sixteen weeks tomorrow," Julia said with a chuckle. "Sean is more protective over me than Roman, if you can believe it. But he’s actually starting to trust Zane."

I smiled, taking a sip of my coffee. Sean Cromwell wasn’t someone you wanted to cross. "That’s great, Julia. I’m so happy for you. Sean is scary. I wouldn’t wanna be Zane."

"Thank you. I’m so happy, and I can’t wait to meet him or her. Zane is going to be a great dad," she said, rubbing her belly with a beaming grin.

"You don’t know what you’re having?" I asked, surprised.

She shook her head. "We want to wait to find out."

We both sipped our coffee in silence for a moment, and I thought about what she has with Zane, a solid relationship with a beta. The thought made Benson cross my mind again. I had an appointment for a tattoo tomorrow.

Benson has done my tattoos for years now, but it's never gone further than a quick fuck. Julia was clearly smitten with Zane. Did I feel the same way for him?

I wasn't so sure.

Breaking the silence, Julia said, "So Hux is living with three snarky, independent omegas, and a beta, huh? That’s gotta be driving him up the wall. How’s he not gone completely mental yet?" Julia asked.

"Oh, trust me, it’s only a matter of time. We’re going stir crazy in there." Once again, Viper's offer flashed in my mind. But I pushed it out of my thoughts.

I wasn't moving out of my home.

Julia’s eyes twinkled with mischief. "And now you’ve got the Omega Den reopening on top of everything else he's dealing with. I swear, you’re not making things any easier on him."

I cringed. "I know, but with Sterling City going to shit and Adam’s feral ass on the loose, we needed a plan. And a safe place for omegas."

She nodded, her gaze softening. "Yeah, I get that. You’re doing a good thing. But do you really think Hux can handle it all? His omega is half bonded to Adam. His sister is who Michelle thinks is the ideal omega for her pretty boy of a son. I mean, how are you going to maintain The Den, Candi? It all sounds like a bitch and a half."

"I know," I said, fidgeting with my mug as I thought about Michelle's plans for me and Adam. That was a fate worse than death. "It's a lot to deal with, but it will be worth it if we all do it together. The problem is that Owen thinks he needs to do it all alone. It pisses me off. He’s too protective. If something goes wrong, he’ll throw himself into the fire without thinking twice. And I can’t let that happen. I need to be one step ahead, just in case. Have a backup plan, you know?"

Julia raised a brow, her expression serious. "So, you’re spying on Shade’s garage because...? What’s the connection?"

"Because Shade and Owen are planning something, and if the plan I made goes to shit, I need a contingency," I admitted, glancing back at the garage. "And my brother has been secretive as hell. That’s never a good sign. I need to know what’s going on over there."

"Yeah, I’d be suspicious too," she said, leaning in with a narrow-eyed look. "So what's this plan of yours that might backfire?"

FUCK. Here it goes.

"Well, I made a deal with Viper," I said honestly. "But I’m not actually going to be fulfilling my end of the deal."

Julia’s eyes widened, and she cackled. "Oh my god! What did you promise him?" She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Whatever it is, I bet it’s juicy."

I took a deep breath, preparing for the inevitable fallout. "I promised him a chance to… woo me. He asked me to come live at the Serpents' clubhouse."

Julia blinked, then burst into laughter, drawing the attention of a few nearby patrons. "You’re letting the Steel Serpents’ president court you? Oh, this is too good!" Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself grinning despite the mess.

"Yeah, I know. But the plot thickens," I said, leaning in and lowering my voice. "I’m also his scent match and he said he would share me with his enforcer, Ghost…"

Julia’s mouth fell open and she let out a sharp laugh that had several heads turning in our direction. "Girl, you’re fucked either way. But what I wouldn’t give to be in between that alpha sandwich." Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

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