Page 33 of Knot Just A Fan

Ash nods, but waits for more.

“They came after me, and it was mostly Ronan. He said if I didn’t leave Grayson alone, he’d have me removed from the Guild.” The tears threaten to spill. I wouldn’t care, if Grayson wasn’t the one my heart’s felt drawn to since the day we met. He was just another bloke to me—not a beloved art-rock genius. I didn’t know anything about him when my heart leapt out at his.

Then I realize: Grayson doesn’t know anything about this.

I feel the sudden reality show on my face, and Ash tilts his head.

“Willow,” we both murmur.

“They want the pack completed,” mumbles Ash, turning to look up but concluding the window’s not visible from here. Ispot a security camera pointed at the doorstep but if they’re all huddled around it watching us—or worse, even listening in—they can stuff the whole exchange up their dicks. I can’t hide my truth anymore.

I don’t know much about Willow. But I know she exists, and that Grayson has never broken up with her. But is never with her. Or rarely.

And my heart sinks. They wanted me gone. Which means they think Grayson has feelings for me—that I was someone Grayson might change plans for.

I wish I hadn’t spread my scent all over their room and clothes now. That seems cruel. But what Ronan and Enzo did was cruel, too.

I look up at Ash’s chiseled cheekbones hiding in that beard. And in his ice-blue eyes, I see the thoughts behind them.

“I can’t get you back on the Guild books. You know how they operate. One and done.” There is regret in his voice. “But I can apologize for Ronan’s actions, because I can guarantee it was Ronan’s idea. Not Enzo’s.”

I don’t think Ash is aware of what just transpired in the office upstairs, that we recognize the scent match between us. And I wonder—will they tell him?

“You’re off to France this weekend,” I say. “Then Spain?”

Ash nods. “I’m sorry things worked out like this, Briella. You really have done phenomenal work with us. On behalf of the lads, I do wish you the best.”

I’ve worked with them enough to know how focused they are, and that’s why they’ve reached the level of success they have. But even when I’m gone, I won’t be.

Just like Grayson wasn’t from my heart and head for eight long years. It could be deemed poetic justice.

Except now, I want them all. I’ve gone into heat, I’ve inhaled their scents. I’ve seen their desire for me on their faces, and, inRonan’s case, pressing against his trousers. They all held perfect self-restraint, no one batting an eye, just keeping their hands and words in check despite their bodies’ reactions to the reality of me.

Their restraint was … undeniably, unbelievably hot. And in retrospect, even more breathtaking than I ever dreamed, to face a pack of Alphas whose base instinct is to protect me, to serveme.And yet they displayed enough strength to hold back.

But the ability to hold back is only as valuable as what vulnerabilities you’re strong enough to share.

Why none of this didn’t come out before, maybe I’ll never know. But they’re about to leave on a European tour without me. So what goes around comes around.

CHAPTER 16

Grayson

I am coveredin her scent.

Ronan and Enzo don’t move a muscle as I perk up my ears, listening to Ash hustle Briella outside. They’re talking.

About us.

“Fucking mother-fucking fucktastic shit-cunt fuck-shit balls and fuckballs and shit-balls and horse-dick-shit-balls and fuck,” says Enzo, trying to cram all the worst things he can think of into one statement.

But we don’t laugh. I feel all of this. He sinks back into his seat while Ronan hurries over to the window.

“Won’t see shit from there, mate,” I say. Ronan just grunts.

“Listen, what’ve you got to be angry about?” I demand. “In fact, you know what?” I storm out into the hall just as Ash is coming up. He gives me a stern look.

“No way. You want to talk to her, do it on your own damn time. We’ve got a schedule to stick to, and we’re about to go over all the songs for this tour in the next six hours. I don’t want to hear another word about her unless it’s a full-throttle explanation of exactly what the fuck.” He aims his steely glare at Ronan, who shrugs angrily and crosses his arms over his chest.

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