Page 97 of Knight Life In Vegas

One of her tears slipped free and I brushed it away with my thumb, cradling her cheek. Charlotte closed her eyes, sending more tears tumbling down as she leaned into my touch.

“Querida, you’re our omega. We know what you’ve been through and will be as patient as you need. It’s okay if you’re afraid of the bond for your own reasons, but I don’t want you to worry that we don’t want it. Do what you need to feel safe. Muzzle us if you have to.”

Dylan squawked. “How am I supposed to eat her pussy if I have a muzzle on?”

Charlotte broke into laughter, burying her face in her hands.

“Is it only the timing that worries you?” I asked.

“I mean, I guess. It’s not that I don’t like all of you. It just feels so early.” She sighed again. “Ava bonded two of her alphas the day they met and it all worked out for her. I just keep running myself in circles about how it could possibly work for me when the alpha I was with for more than twenty years showed no interest in bonding me.”

“Your ex is an idiot and an asshole,” Dylan sniped.

“I’m going to have to agree on that front.” I reached for Charlotte’s hand, and she didn’t draw away, letting our fingers lace together. “He had a treasure and he squandered you. We’re not going to make the same mistake.”

“I don’t even know the most basic things about you guys.” Charlotte frowned.

“What do you want to know?” Dylan asked.

“How old are you?”

“Thirty-five for me,” I said.

“Thirty-three,” replied Dylan.

“Oh god, am I a cradle robber?”

Dylan snorted. “I don’t think a decade is that bad. Beau is the one that’s old enough to be my dad at this point.”

Charlotte burst into laughter again. “This is all ridiculous.”

“It’s not like I’m twenty,” Dylan defended. “I think thirty-three is pretty respectable.”

“Ask all your questions, querida. If you want to speed-run getting to know us, we can definitely do that.”

So she did. We filled in for Chico on the simple things, like favorite color: blue for me, yellow for Dylan, and green for Chico. Favorite foods, and hobbies, dreams for the future all passed between us. She relaxed a little more with each question, eventually allowing Dylan to scoot closer so she could lean against him. I resumed cooking while we talked, keeping half my attention on her so she felt no pressure to speak.

“I’m nervous for everyone to meet tonight,” she confessed.

“Why?” Dylan asked. “We’re a delight.”

“I haven’t told them I’m bonded, and I know Beau hasn’t talked to his son yet. They have a complicated relationship. I don’t want this to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.”

“Hopefully that won’t be the case. Are you going to neutralize your scent for the evening?”

“I probably should. It feels weird, though.”

“Why is that, princess?”

“Ever since I went totally natural on everything, it feels strange to think about muting it. I lived so long with the hormonal equivalent of noise-canceling headphones on, and now I’m afraid of that silence.”

“Don’t do it, then.” Dylan leaned in for a deep inhale. “You smell delicious. Like the fanciest lemon meringue pie to ever exist.”

A faint hint of vanilla, orange, and spices clung to her from the fresh bond. “You’ve had a very busy few days. I think it’s fair to keep things quiet until you’ve had a chance to breathe. Others may not agree, but you don’t owe them constant updates about your life. Besides, your bond with Beau isn’t only your story to tell. You can hardly tell some of your friend’s pack and exclude one because Beau isn’t ready yet.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Try to just enjoy this evening. We’ll have to head over soon, so if there’s anything you need to do to get ready, I would do that now. We’re fully staffed on performers, so Chico can sit with you during everything.”

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