Page 38 of Seen Knot Heard

I like to think he’d support our decision. That he’d take me aside and tell me all the ways to keep my Omega happy. I will never understand how such a gruff, gentle man reared my aggressive, condescending father. Two such different Alphas to grow up with. I wish Grandad was still around to call for advice.

“Nathaniel!” Emily’s voice snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts, and I turn to see her striding up the incline toward me, steel-gray hair ruffling in the wind. “Not coming down to yell at the workers today?”

Despite her teasing tone, I flinch at the comment. Is that all I do lately? I don’t want to be like my father, whose workers fear him and talk about him behind his back.

Too on edge for small talk, I dip my chin in greeting.

Emily, who’s been with us since the beginning, senses it and launches right into an update. “The crew’s making excellentprogress on repairing the storm damage. We should be back on track by early next week. Maybe even…”

Her voice fades into the background as my attention drifts back to the ocean. Why hasn’t Dominic or Holden updated our family chat about what happened with Chloe? Are they in trouble? What if something happened to them? Louie Santaro isn’t an Alpha to mess with lightly.

Emily’s strong hand on my shoulder jolts me back to the present, and I realize she asked me a question.

I tear my attention away from the water. “Sorry, what did you say?”

She shakes her head, lips pursed. “Never mind. You have other things occupying your thoughts today.”

When I start to object, she holds up a calloused palm. “I get it. Really. Have you heard any updates about your Omega?”

I grunt noncommittally, but my white-knuckled grip on the phone gives me away.

After a long moment, Emily sighs. “Look, I understand you have reservations about bringing an Omega into the pack. Especially with…everything. But it’ll work out. You’ll see.”

While I want to believe her, doubts churn in my gut. There’s so much Emily isn’t privy to. So much I haven’t told anyone outside my bondmates.

My phone vibrates in my hand, and I almost drop it in my haste to check the screen to find a text from Holden

Holden

Water taxi docking in ten.

My heartbeat quickens. This is really happening. In mere minutes, I’ll be face to face with the Omega whose scent haunts my dreams. The woman who could be my fated mate or my pack’s undoing.

I slip the phone into my pocket and head for the dock, my long legs eating up the ground.

Emily chuckles as she keeps pace beside me. “You’re like a nervous groom waiting for your bride to arrive.”

A growl builds in my throat as I whirl to face her. “It’s not like that.”

Emily arches a brow. “You sure? Because, from where I’m standing, you look like an Alpha whose mate is about to walk off that water taxi.”

“I don’t know if she’s my mate,” I grit out. “I’ve never even spoken to her.”

“I understand your concerns. An Omega can solidify a pack or break it apart.” Emily crosses her muscular arms. “But that’s the same for anyone new that you invite in. There’s always a risk.”

“A huge fucking risk.” A dark blur appears on the horizon, and anxiety returns in a rush. “You, of all people, know what could happen.”

Emily had lost her own pack by inviting the wrong person in. Although she claims to be open to new experiences, she’s closed herself off to trying again, too afraid of the pain of another rejection.

When Emily remains silent, I add, “And Chloe comes with a shit ton of baggage.”

“That’s rich, coming from you,” she scoffs. “In case you haven’t noticed, this pack comes with enough baggage to fill a cruise ship.”

I snort. She’s not wrong.

I stare out over the water. “You’re right, we’re a mess. Every one of us.”

“Not Holden,” Emily says gently. “Thank god for Holden.”

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