Page 8 of Knot Their Valentine

A few moments go by, and my heart rate slows, until I hear my mother's voice squealing something about how dramatic I am.

“This is hell, isn’t it?” I whisper, and Lachlan snorts before taking a step back. I never asked how these three men ended up bonded when, for two years, everyone believed that Lachlan was going to bond with his high school girlfriend. They broke up, and not long after that, these three formed a pack.

That was eleven months ago. I was away at college for all of it, and no one ever brings it up at the holidays. At least, not around me. And I never wanted to know any details. I still don’t. Okay, that's not entirely true. I’m super nosey. I like knowing everyone's business, but not because I care. I just like knowing.

“Thanks, Lachlan. Our little Firefly was really losing it, hmm?” Cae teases, and I nearly leap off the counter to rip his throat out when he uses my family's nickname for me. Fireball is already bad enough.

Lachlan places two large palms on my thighs, keeping me planted. My gaze flicks back to him, and he smirks like he can see my thoughts. The full beard along his jaw does a good job distracting me from my anger as I fight the urge to reach out and pet him.

“Oh, it’s your father,” my mother interrupts, pulling her phone out. “Cae, be a dear and grab the little Firefly’s bags while I take this,” Mom says, lifting the phone to her ear.

“Of course, Emily. Right behind you.” Cae shoots her his dimple-cheeked smile, charming her like everyone else that’s ever met this damn Alpha. Except me. Minus those few months in high school when I had a terrible lapse of judgment. I blame my hormones.

“Hello, Dear,” my mother’s voice trails off as she disappears out the open doorway, but I fix my glare on Caelum.

“What. The fuck. Is happening?” I snarl, but Cae just smirks like the shady fuck doesn’t have a care in the world.

“Emily didn’t tell you? You’re our new roommate. I heard you were struggling, so I offered our guest room.”

“You’re both fucking insane. What were all of you thinking!? You’re mated, and having another Omega in your space will fuck his instincts all up!” I throw my hand up, and then blink at the Alpha who still has his hands on my thighs when he squeezes them.

“I’ll be fine, Low.” Quinton is hidden behind Lachlan, who’s taller stocky frame easily hides the smaller male, and at the sound of his voice, Caelum steps closer to his black-haired Omega.

“How? How will you be okay when just the sight of you in a space I don’t evenwantto live in makes me want to crawl out of my skin? Just the idea that I’m expected to live here with you is making me want to…” Fuck you. Fuck your face, and ride yourcock. Beg you to bend me over the counter and fuck me hard from behind while your Alphas watch us...

Ope. No… Nope, can’t go there. This is the kind of thinking that could get me into serious trouble. Tempting as the man is, I am not going down that road. He’s an Omega and belongs to Caelum and Lachlan. Having me here will only make Quinton’s instincts go berserk. And who knows what my scent will do to the two Alphas.

Or, you know, what the fuck the three of them will do to me!

My emotions are all over the fucking place right now, but Lachlan is still an Alpha, so when I cycle from distraught to horny to fucking sad, he notices.

I’m sure Cae can feel my rollercoaster of bullshit as well, but he’s had practice ignoring me and my emotions.

Lachlan’s grip on my thighs tightens, and his scent spikes, just a little. Just enough. I breathe deeply, wanting to curl up in his fucking arms and purr.

I blink, blink again, and then shake my head as I fight my way out of the mental fog that is Lachlan.

A shiver travels down my spine, and I suck in a sharp breath.

“Quin says he’ll be fine. Trust him. Lachlan and I aren’t beasts, we have self-control. No one is going to slip into a rut and maul you, Harlow,” Cae grumbles.

“I never said you would. I said instincts would fuck with us,” I hiss through gritted teeth.

“You saying you find us so irresistible that you can’t control yourself, Fireball?” Cae’s cocky smile enrages me.

“Caelum.” My eyes narrow on him. “You know damn well that’s not what I’m saying. None of us can control certain aspects of our instincts. Like how an unmated Omega might disrupt a pack in their mated home.”

“No scent blockers…” Lachlan randomly grumbles, snatching my attention away from Cae. His messy dark brown hair isfalling into his eyes as he looks at me. “Normally, you have them,” he adds, clearing his throat. He steps away from me and over to the fridge. I hear him pop the lid off a bottle and assume it’s a beer, rather than see it.

“Low…” Quin murmurs, using the nickname that only he has ever been brave enough to give me. “My instincts aren’t reacting negatively to you. I don’t see you as a threat.”

I flinch. Ouch. I don’t see Quin as a threat either, but my instincts react to him, but not in a…rip his eyeballs out kind of way like I normally would around Omegas in close quarters.

No, instead, I’m bombarded by mental images of all the moments I’ve accidentally seen Cae and Quin kissing. My instincts think Quinton is a viable mate option. Ignoring the fact that he’s already bonded. And a fucking Omega.

Cinnamon and peaches, plum and honey, as well as the scent of fucking sugary apricots fills the room. Surrounding me like a fucking straight jacket.

Men…

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