Page 8 of Knot So Sweet

Vaughn cleared his throat, and answered with a steadier voice. "The Cromwell Pack. Shade Jacobs has a connection with them."

"Fuck no. I’m not working with Shade," I growled. Associating with anyone tied to the Hounds was out of the question, especially when it came to Candice’s safety. Because now, that took priority over everything else.

"Viper." Creed finally spoke up, his gaze flicking between me and Candice. "Candi is unmated. She will have to register with the Bramwell Sanctuary along with all other unmated omegas in Sterling. It will be mandatory." A heavy silence fell over the room. Even her little friend noticed our connection?

Curiouser still.

I turned my gaze back to Candice. "Do you want that, sweetheart? To give the Bramwell Sanctuary control over your scent match?"

I needed to hear her answer. The idea of her being mated to another pack ignited a fierce anger within me.

Candice’s stormy eyes narrowed. "No one will choose my pack for me,Viper. And that includes you."

A smirk curled my lips, dark and satisfied. My cock was hard as steel now. That was the second time I'd heard her say my name and I was quickly becoming addicted.

"I respect that," I said evenly, even as the liquid fire of her scent coursed through my veins like a hit of pure adrenaline."You shouldn’t have your future dictated for you. But I’m curious. You’re perfuming. Is it for me? Ghost? It damn sure isn’t for Pixie."

My heart pounded as I awaited her answer. She flicked her gaze between Ghost and me, guilt shadowing her features, as if her body’s reaction to my enforcer was a betrayal to me. But the look quickly vanished, replaced with a calculating stare.

"Are you going to help us or not, Viper?"

Ghost's green eyes mirrored my darkness. There was no fucking way we could walk away from her now. No way we could turn Candice down. But I wanted something in return.

I stepped closer to my curvy little omega, invading her personal space, and forced her to look up at me with a single finger under her chin.Fuck me.This close, I could see a dusting of freckles on the bridge of her nose.

"Yes, Candice. I’ll help you, but under one condition." I stroked my thumb over her chin, loving how she unintentionally leaned into my touch. Craving me just the same way I did her. "I want you as my omega," I whispered, so only she could hear.

Her growl was instantaneous, and my cock jumped at the sexy sound. She jerked away from my grasp, her chest heaving. "You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You think you can just waltz in here and make demands like that?"

I tilted my head, my smile widening. She was fighting our bond. Cute. Chasing after her sounded fun.

I glanced at Ghost, whose entire body was rigid, his pine scent sweeping past my nose. He loved the idea of her being ours. I chuckled darkly. "Consider this, sweetheart. You need protection, and a secure place to call home. Your brother will soon have his own pack, and the Bramwell Sanctuary won’t offer what you need."

Her cheeks reddened with anger, but I wasn’t done yet. "Plus, I’ll let you choose any of my men to bond with—hell, claim them all if you want. I just want to befirst."

I wanted her to know she didn’t need to feel guilty for wanting my enforcer. I didn’t care as long as she wasmine.

"Letme choose who I want," she mimicked with disgust. "And why would I ever consider becoming some omega slut?"

My smile grew wide and feral. "You’re already thinking about it. Here’s the deal. Agree to at least consider being mine, and I’ll help you with your club."

I was going to help her little club regardless. But playing with her like this was too fun to pass up.

She sighed heavily. But really, what did she have to lose? She was already mine.

Chapter 4

Candi

Islid into abooth at Sully’s diner, seeking refuge in its greasy comfort food and the promise of caffeine. The place was decked out with old-school memorabilia, a nostalgic nod tosimpler times that felt almost comforting amidst the chaos of my life. And right now, I seriously needed a break from everything going on at the Den.

Plus it's been ages since I've seen my girl Julia. Last time I saw her she was telling me she was pregnant. That was maybe three months ago now.

I cringed.

God I was a shit friend.

I searched the diner for her long-as-fuck blonde hair and spotted her serving a booth of old ladies in the far corner. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and placed her hands on her hips as she scowled at them. Even pregnant, Julia wasn't taking their shit. I chuckled, shaking my head at her antics.

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