Page 7 of Knot So Sweet

FUCK.

"You must be Candice Huxley."

Her frown was immediate. "Candi. Candice sounds like an old grandma’s name. And the only one allowed to call me that is my brother."

I smirked. Candi? I wondered if she tasted sweet?

"Whatever you say,sweetheart. It’s a pleasure to meet you," I purred again. My voice came out deeper, more possessive than I intended. I couldn’t fucking help it.

This omega was driving me wild with need. I fought to maintain my composure, knowing full well that I was currently far from the stoic alpha I usually prided myself on being.

Vaughn’s voice cut through the haze, but I barely registered his words. Candice visibly shuddered as we broke eye contact, the spell between us coming apart.

Don’t worry, sweetheart, you’ve got me under a spell too.

I remained completely absorbed by Candice. Pixie’s voice reached my ears as only a blur of background noise, I couldn’t focus on anything, but the way Candice’s little pink tongue darted out to lick her black-painted lips.

I imagined those plump lips pressed against mine, the taste of her searing my senses. I ground my teeth together, struggling to regain some semblance of composure.

We were here to meet Huxley, but where the hell was he?

I narrowed my gaze at Vaughn, my irritation flaring. "Where is Hux? He told us to meet him here, and he didn’t show?" My growl was low and edged with frustration. I knew my anger was irrational, but Candice’s presence was fucking with my head.

"Hux is making a connection with a few Hounds. It'll just be us meeting today," Vaughn shrugged nonchalantly.

My growl rumbled again, louder this time. "Why the fuck are you working with strays?"

This whole thing was quickly turning into a disaster, and all I could think about was how bringing trouble to the Serpents wasn’t worth the risk. But the thought of Candice not being protected forced me to stay and hear Vaughn out.

"We need to take back control of Sterling City, ‘Unc. The Hounds might be part of that."

I scoffed, dismissing his reasoning. "By recruiting from the slums? Not if you want our help, Vaughn. No. We don’t work with Hounds. Ever."

Candice laughed darkly. "You have no idea what you’re talking about. Just because you’re some alpha of a little motorcycle club, doesn’t mean you’re better than them. You don’t get to come in here demanding shit, Viper."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My anger dissipated, replaced by a burning need. The way she said my name was like a drug, and I was hooked. I needed to hear it again, needed to see how far I could push her.

"You’re the one asking for our help, sweetheart. We get to set the terms of that arrangement." I was fixated on her fire, her stormy blue eyes narrowing as she met my challenge with a lifted chin.

"Damn, prez. Don’t mess with the feisty omega," Pixie chuckled, attempting to defuse the tension.

Candice’s gaze shifted to Pixie momentarily before returning to me. "All you alphas are the same."

Pixie raised an eyebrow, amused. "You really aren’t afraid of us, are you?"

"Afraid of you? Why would I be afraid of you?" Candice shot back, her gaze unwavering and fearless. Her sass was driving me wild.

Fuck, I was losing control.

"Enough," Ghost’s voice cut through the charged atmosphere. My enforcer had a presence that commanded instant obedience,and the raw power in his voice made the room fall silent. As Ghost took control, Candice’s gaze shifted toward him, her scent once again filling the air with its delicious floral perfume.

Could Ghost be her scent match too?

The thought hit me hard, and surprisingly, I found myself more intrigued by their connection than jealous.

Curious.

"Who are you saying we should trust? If you don’t trust us, why should we trust your judgment?" Ghost challenged.

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