Page 42 of Knight Life In Vegas

Charlotte huffed. “That sounds dangerous.”

“Maybe.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. Having her in my arms again with her scent on full display smoothed down all ofthe sharp edges of my stress. I wanted to drown in her, to drag her away to a nest and worship every inch of her body.

She wiped her cheeks and took a steadying breath. “What’s the horse’s name?”

“Eclipse.”

“He’s beautiful. Is he an Andalusian?”

“He is. You’ve got a good eye. Dylan trained him. He does a great job with our horses.”

She swiveled her head to look at my packmates who had collected her sons and were letting them meet the horses.

“I didn’t mean to upset anyone.”

“Duchess.Charlotte.” I hadn’t said her name out loud before, and I liked the sound of it on my tongue. “I’m not mad. None of us are. We just miss you.”

The first note of a whine slipped past her lips before she silenced it.

“Who’s the alpha that came with you?”

She let out a long sigh. “That’s a complicated answer.”

“Try me.”

“His name is Beau. He’s a match too. I met him after you three.”

I tensed. “You didn’t run from him?”

“He’s a lot harder to run from. He’s my friend’s father-in-law and his granddaughter is half sister to my boys.”

I furrowed my brows, trying to figure out the exact family tree that would lead to that. “How…”

“It’s messy. His daughter-in-law had an affair with my ex-husband before she knew I existed and before she met her pack. My ex was a very good liar. She was already pregnant when she bonded into her pack, so our children are half siblings, and the alpha with me is the father of one of her alphas. I know it’s weird, but it’s worked out okay. Our kids get to know each other, and my ex is out of the picture for all of us.”

“Was your ex-husband an alpha?”

She nodded.

“And he never bonded you?” I couldn’t imagine having this omega in my life for so long and never bonding her, never getting to experience that soul-deep connection.

“No, he never wanted to. I wonder sometimes if it’s because he knew it would be harder to hide affairs if I could feel what he was feeling. But honestly I think he just didn’t like me enough.”

Charlotte stiffened at the growl that bubbled up in my chest. I was of the personal opinion that alphas who didn’t treasure their omegas should take a long walk off a short pier. No wonder she was panicked.

“I’m sorry. That growl isn’t for you. You didn’t deserve to be with an alpha like that.”

She blinked up at me, hazel eyes mesmerizing, her lashes dewy with tears. “Thank you.”

“Are you and Beau together?”

“No. We’re barely friends. I’m getting to know him at my friend’s request. It’s just been me and my boys since my divorce.”

I shoved down the urge to gallop right out of here and take her home. She was taking care of those kids all alone. I hadn’t thought too hard about being a parent. I kind of figured if it hadn’t happened by now, it wouldn’t ever, but I was open to the possibilities if Charlotte ever changed her mind about us.

“Mommy, can I ride the horse?” one of her children shouted.

“You cansiton it with their permission. You’re not moving yet.” She sighed. “He’s going to want to do lessons. I definitely can’t afford that. I could teach him myself if I had a horse, but that’s evenmoremoney.”

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