Page 48 of Knot Happening

He grunts, but kisses me back. I part my lips, letting his tongue caress mine. It’s a sweet kiss. Not something I was expecting from the man that stormed into the private room and swept me off my feet.

He pulls away too soon, pressing his warm palm to my cheek. He stares into my eyes for a long moment and doesn’t shy away from my gaze. We’re still so close that I can feel his breaths against my skin, and I want to drag him up to my apartment. He might let me, if I asked. Or begged. But something in the way he’s looking at me right now, makes me think that if I did that, he’d keep coming around.

Stolen moments like this are all I can have, though, because if I’m not careful, I’ll get attached to him. And then when he leaves, it’ll be more than I can take. I’ll fall apart.

“Yeah, I thought so,” he mumbles, but I’m not sure the words are meant for me. “Time to go, Pretty Gift.”

“Yeah,” I agree, feeling disappointed for reasons I don’t fully understand.

As I climb out of the car, I try to wrangle all the emotions that threaten to take over. The void in the pit of my stomach is a familiar one, and I’m already antsy to escape the feeling. It hurts to be so unbearably lonely.

I make it four steps, when I’m wrapped up into massive Alpha arms. Kodiak pulls me into his chest and just holds me.

I try to back up, free myself from his arms because I can’t let myself fall into his comfort. It’s too dangerous, I’ll only end up a broken shell of an Omega. Would I have a daughter that'sas lonely as I am? Who needs to fight against the world alone to care for me? Unfortunately, Kodiak’s stronger than a freaking ox.

“Kodiak,” I sob, shaking my head as I push my hands against his chest. Why doesn’t he see? I am already damaged goods. Barely keeping myself together. I can’t stomach even the thought of loving an Alpha, and then losing him…but fuck, he feels so good…

“Let it out. I got you. I’m not letting you go, Pretty Gift.” His words… His fucking words… Fuck, they undo me. This man, who doesn’t know me, doesn’t know anything about me, is holding me like I’m his. Like I’m some precious thing to him. Like I somehow deserve the comfort he’s freely giving. The ache in my limbs slowly fades, not completely, but enough. Enough that I know this can never go further.

It’s an addictive feeling. I give in. I tell myself I won’t do this again. I won’t let this happen again. I won’t seek him out. I won’t let him become something more than this single moment of comfort.

I wrap my arms around him and cry. I cling to him like a lifeline and fucking lose it. By the time the tears dry up, and I manage to get some space between us, I’ve soaked his damn shirt.

“Shit, sorry,” I murmur, and he chuckles.

“It’s a shirt. I’ll clean it.” He shrugs, keeping one hand on my hip, as he watches me carefully. “I’ll see you again soon, Tatum.” The kiss he presses to my cheek is gentle and sweet. I expect him to walk away, leaving me here to watch him go, but he just gives my hip a soft push toward my building. I frown, and he nods his chin toward the building in a ‘go on’ gesture.

I walk away and don’t look back. For some reason, the thought of not seeing him there makes me want to start crying again, so I keep walking, letting the door fall shut behind me.

Kodiak

That shady fucker Hamlin is only half the problem. He’s the face, but he’s not the buyer.

We’ve been using the same ABO facility for six years. Trace was a friend of sorts. Trustworthy and smart. I liked that he was competent and kept his mouth shut.

Convenient that he went missing days before the company went up for sale. Then it sold so quickly. For a company this size to sell before anyone was even aware it was on the market is suspicious.

Tatum closes the door of her apartment, and I see my brother peek out the window from the apartment next door. I give him a little wave with two fingers and chuckle when he flips me off.

I head up there, not needing to knock when he pulls the door open for me. Declan hates knocking, so Hayden and I have gotten used to opening doors in a hurry.

“How was she, was she okay? I know she was upset. I wanted to drive her, but I knew she’d be suspicious. I hate that she won’t let me back in. I want to–”

Hayden’s rambling cuts off when I slap a hand over his mouth. “She was sad. This isn’t easy for her. Give her time.” I hold my hand in place, and wait for him to nod his head before I release my grip on his face hole. “She's the one, isn’t she? The one Mom–”

“Yes,” Hayden snaps urgently, his eyes widening. I nod, crossing my arms over my chest. I figured out he was following someone over a year ago. But he’s known Tatum most of his life.I knew her as “Hayden’s friend from school.” We didn't exactly see him all that often when he was growing up. Too dangerous.

Because I’m so much older than Hayden, we didn’t grow up together. I was out of the house already when Mom took him in as a baby. Declan and I had a lot on our shoulders at just fourteen. But we had guidance. Someone on our side to help us take over after I murdered our father.

So three and a half years ago, when Hayden showed up on our doorstep, Declan and I hadn’t been keeping up with his personal life. I can still remember the feeling of his pain hitting me when the bond snapped into place. Declan and I always knew we’d be in a pack, but when Hayden graduated from high school and naturally slid right into the family business, we made the choice to make it official.

Omegas aren’t on the list of priorities. Or they weren’t for Declan and me. I assumed they weren’t for Hayden either, but as I stand here, little pieces of a puzzle all fall into place.

Why I’m drawn to Tatum. Why Declan is breaking his own company rules for her. Why Hayden hasn’t fucked anyone all these years.

“I see,” I say with a grin. That grin quickly falls away. “We need to deal with Hamlin and his family. I don’t trust that seedy fucker. I’ll get Ghost on it. First things first. We get a hold of the contract for Tatum’s mom. I don’t like the way that slick old fuck was looking at Tatum. We keep our eyes on her…” I pause, tilting my head at my brother. “Well. More than your usual amount,” I joke, and he rolls his eyes.

“Got it. You know how much she means to me. I’ll protect her.” The conviction I feel in the bond sets me at ease.

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