Page 32 of Knot So Sweet

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Candi wasn’t just any omega—she was mine. The idea of something happening to her, of losing her, because I couldn’t keep my shit together, gnawed at me like a hungry beast.

But this wasn’t just about me anymore. It wasn’t even about revenge for Chaos. This was about the Serpents, about all the omegas in Sterling City, and about making sure The Omega Den was a safe haven for them. For her.

"I fucking hate this," I muttered, my voice a low growl, the frustration barely contained. "Hate being here, hate playing nice with Huxley, hate that Candi’s caught in the middle of all this. And I fucking hate that Chaos will never know her." My voice cracked, and the vulnerability in it made me wince. I couldn’t afford to be weak. Not now.

Pixie, to his credit, didn’t push. He didn’t bust my balls or tell me to suck it up. He just let me have my moment, and for that, I was grateful. If he had pressed, I would’ve lost it right there.

"I know, son," he said quietly. "But you’ve got to keep it together. For Candi, for our brotherhood, and for the city. This is bigger than just us."

I turned to face The Den, the imposing building looming like a constant reminder of everything I stood to lose. The pressure was suffocating, but it also kept me tethered to reality.

I had to do this—for her, for the Serpents, for everyone depending on me to keep my head on straight.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down, to push the anger and grief just below the surface. It simmered, hot andunyielding, but I wouldn’t let it consume me. Not today. Not when everything was on the line. The tension in my shoulders eased a little, though the weight of everything still pressed down hard.

"Alright," I finally said, my voice more controlled now. "I’m ready."

Pixie watched me for a beat longer, eyes scanning my face like he was checking for any cracks in the armor. I appreciated it, even though I didn’t want to admit it.

He wasn’t just my second; he was my brother, my family, and he always knew when I was fronting. After a moment, he gave a single, curt nod and stepped aside.

With that, I turned back toward the entrance of The Den, a sense of purpose settling over me like a second skin. The weight of my brother’s death, of Candi’s safety, of the entire damn mission—it was all on my shoulders. But I wasn’t about to let it break me. Not now.

I pushed open the door and walked inside, ready to face whatever came next.

The lion’s den was waiting.

Chapter 15

Candi

Last night was asleepless blur. To say I had been shocked when Viper told Ghost to let me go was the understatement of the century. The authority in Viper's voice,the way he had intervened with such finality—it sent a shiver down my spine. I was still grappling with why.

My stomach fluttered with nervousness, I had beenthisclose to giving in to my instincts, against my better judgment. It gnawed at me as I wiped down the bartop, my mind unable to fully concentrate. It didn't help that I knew Ghost would be here soon. The thought had me glancing at the front door expectantly.

One question loomed over everything though: why hadn’t Viper just taken what he wanted? Claimed me? He had practically told me he was going to, hadn’t he?

I shook my head, gnawing on my bottom lip as I replayed that moment over and over. Ghost had been so ready, so willing to assert his dominance, and I had wanted it too. When he'd grabbed me by the throat and tossed me onto the desk, my body had reacted with an undeniable surge of lust.

"God, his dominance was so fucking hot," I whispered.

The phantom sensation of his touch lingered, heavy and electric against my skin. The memory stirred something deep within me. Where would he have bitten me?

My neck, my inner thigh, my breasts? I trailed a hand along my throat, deep in thought as a shiver raced up my spine—a mix of fear and forbidden desire.

"No, Candi. Stop it. You don’t want an alpha," I chided myself, shaking my head.

This wasn’t about what my body wanted, or the fierce pull of desire that had almost overtaken me. I might crave them, but I knew what was best for me. Being tied to a pack wasn’t it.

Last night was a lapse in judgment. Call itheatstroke—because clearly, my brain had fried and taken all my common sense with it.

"I’m not weak," I hissed, trying to silence that mocking voice inside.

That dark voice echoed my father’s lessons. The lessons that had been drilled into me since my designation emerged. I snapped the band on my wristhard, forcing myself to calm the fuck down.

My thoughts spiraled—Ghost’s hands, Viper’s eyes, the looming threat of Adam hanging over me like a noose. All of it was pushing down on me, making me want to scream.

"Stop this shit right now," I commanded myself, closing my eyes to the demons swirling in my mind.

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