Page 150 of Knot Like Other Girls

A bell chimes softly as Liam opens the door, and we step into a space that instantly feels like a sanctuary for omegas. Subtle lavender and vanilla scents fill the air, mingling with the fresh, clean scent of new fabric. Soft classical music plays from hidden speakers.

The shop is arranged into distinct sections, each dedicated to different aspects of omega care. To the left, shelves and displays hold nesting materials—rich fabrics in every texture imaginable, from silk and velvet to fleece and plush faux fur. To the right, a wall of specialized care products for heats and post-heat recovery. Straight ahead, a counter serves as both checkout areaand tea bar, with glass jars of loose-leaf blends lining the wall behind it.

Behind the counter stands a woman in her sixties, with short salt-and-pepper hair and bright, intelligent eyes behind fashionable glasses. She looks up as we enter, and her welcoming smile doesn't falter even as she registers the five alphas accompanying me.

"Good morning," she greets us warmly. "Welcome to Soft Spot."

"Morning," Roman responds, his voice pitched to be less intimidating than usual. "We left a message last night about supplies for a first heat?"

I blink up at him in surprise. He called them? That's… thoughtful.

"Of course," the woman—either Beth or Maggie, I assume—says, coming around the counter. "You must be the Vanguard Pack. And this," she turns to me with genuine warmth, "must be Bella."

I'm momentarily startled that she knows my name, before realizing that of course Roman would have mentioned it when making arrangements. "Yes, that's me."

"I'm Beth," she confirms, offering her hand. "My mate Maggie is in the back. She'll be out in a few minutes."

I shake her hand, immediately comforted by the contact with another omega. There's something uniquely calming about omega energy, especially from someone older and more experienced. "Your shop is beautiful."

"Thank you," she beams. "We've put our hearts into it for well over a decade now. It's our little contribution to making omega life better, especially in rural areas where specialists can be hard to find."

Beth turns to the alphas, assessing them with a professional eye rather than the suspicion we encountered elsewhere. "First heat with new alphas?"

"Yes," Roman confirms. "Bella's been on suppressants for years. We haven't been together long."

Together.

I kind of like the way that word sounds. And I appreciate his discretion in not revealing we're scent matches, which would surely raise more questions than we're ready to answer right now.

"I see," Beth says, nodding. "Well, you've come to the right place. First thing—have you eaten a proper meal this morning?"

"Mabel's," Troy answers with enthusiasm.

Beth laughs. "Perfect. Mabel's breakfasts are legendary for a reason. Now, Bella, would you prefer to look around with me while your alphas wait, or would you like them to join us?"

The question is asked without judgment, acknowledging that some omegas prefer privacy when selecting heat supplies while others might want their alphas involved in the process. I consider for a moment before glancing at Cole, whose stiff posture betrays his discomfort in the omega-centered space.

"Maybe just one or two of them?" I suggest, not wanting to overwhelm the shop with alpha presence, but also not wanting to leave Cole feeling excluded after everything he's said about how people treat him.

Beth nods approvingly. "Excellent compromise. Who would you like to accompany you?"

I instinctively turn to Cole and Savva—Cole because I want him to feel included despite his discomfort, and Savva as the one who appreciates the finer things in life.

"Cole and Savva, if that's alright?"

Cole looks surprised but moves closer to my side, while Savva nods in acceptance. "Of course," he says, his lips curving into a pleased smile.

"The rest of you," Beth addresses Troy, Roman, and Liam with gentle authority that brooks no argument despite her omega status, "can enjoy some tea and cookies by the window. Maggie will be out shortly with a fresh batch."

"Fuck yeah," Troy whispers under his breath at the mention of cookies. Even Roman looks amused rather than offended at being dismissed so firmly. They move toward a cozy seating area near the front windows, with Liam and Troy immediately gravitating to the glass case full of baked goods like fish on a hook.

"Now then," Beth says, turning back to us. "Let's start with the basics. Nesting materials first, then comfort items, then practical necessities. Follow me."

She leads us toward the left side of the shop, where the nesting materials are displayed. The shelves and bins are organized by texture and weight rather than color, acknowledging that our nesting preferences are typically tactile first, visual second.

"Some omegas prefer lightweight silks and satins, others heavier velvets and chenille," Beth explains, running her hand over a display of various fabrics. "Some want everything soft, others like a mix of textures. The important thing is what feels right to you, Bella."

I approach the display hesitantly, overwhelmed by the variety.

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