Page 73 of Knotting With A Stranger

I take charge, as I always do in crisis situations. “I’ll get food and drinks ready. Protein, sugar, hydration.”

“I’ll gather blankets, extra pillows, more nesting materials,” Archer volunteers. “Maybe grab some of her own clothes from her room, too. Familiar scents help. I’ll set up a new nest for her that isn’t in the laundry room.”

“I’ll check the backup generator and bring in more firewood,” James says. “If the power goes out during this, we’re well and truly fucked.”

We disperse to our tasks like a well-oiled machine. In the kitchen, I begin preparing an elaborate spread—cheeses, cured meats, fruits, chocolate, nuts. Instinct drives me to provide, to care for, to demonstrate my value as an Alpha. I boil water fortea, prep the coffee maker, then arrange juice and water bottles on a tray.

Archer enters as I’m slicing aged cheddar, his arms laden with blankets and pillows. He dumps them on a kitchen chair and eyes my preparations critically.

“You know what she actually needs isn’t a five-star brunch, right?” he says, leaning against the counter. “She needs an Alpha knot. Cocks. Preferably three.”

“She will work that out on her own terms.”

“All I’m saying is, be prepared for her not to want your little picnic here,” he states.

James comes in from outside just then, bringing a sharp blast of cold air and the scent of snow with him. His hair is dusted with white, his cheeks ruddy from the biting wind.

“Generator’s good,” he reports, setting down an armload of firewood. “Filled it up; should last three days even with continuous use.” He brushes snow from his coat. “You know not every Omega rushes straight into the desperate stage, right? Some take time to transition. Maybe we just take turns, giving her all the pleasure she desires. Put our tongues and cocks to good use.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him,” Archer mutters.

“So we pamper her. Take care of her basic needs. And make it clear that we’re here if she wants us, but we’re not expecting anything unless she wants to,” James adds.

“When did you become an expert on Omega care?” Hunter asks, arching an eyebrow.

Something dark passes across Archer’s features. “I’ve been around,” he says vaguely. “Learned a few things.”

I watch him out of the corner of my eye as I arrange food on a wooden platter. “Well, we offer her all of it, and she can pick and choose.”

Archer turns to James. “Speaking of last night… we all good after what happened? Things got pretty heated.”

James shrugs with exaggerated casualness. “That kiss? Please. It was a dare, not a marriage proposal.”

My knuckles whiten around the knife handle. We all know he’s not talking about Lily kissing me. There was history in the way they interacted, tension that went beyond physical attraction.

Archer notices my reaction. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

James’s expression sobers. “We talked afterward. It’s complicated.”

“What’s complicated?” I ask, unable to stop myself despite knowing I’m walking into his trap.

“I never meant to hurt her,” James says quietly, something like genuine regret in his words.

“No one ever does,” I reply, the words bitter on my tongue.

“I fucked up,” he says finally. “I know I did. And I’m going to make it up to her.”

Something in his tone has me studying him more carefully. This isn’t the usual James—smooth, savvy, always in control. There’s a rawness to him I rarely see.

“I like her,” he continues, still facing away from us. “Like a fucking lot.” He turns around, meeting first my stare, then Archer’s. “And I know you two do, too. It’s growing on you both, but I’m already too far gone.” He shakes his head, a humorless laugh escaping him. “Addicted to her, and it’s not just the Omega thing. It’s her.”

Archer leans against the refrigerator, arms crossed. “Well, shit.”

“Yeah,” James agrees. “Shit.”

“How long were you texting?” I ask, curiosity overriding my earlier anger.

“Six weeks,” James admits. “Started as a wrong number, then we kept talking.” A ghost of a smile crosses his face. “She made me laugh when nothing else could.”

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