Page 12 of Knotting else Matters

“Good.” I nodded, some of the tension in my chest easing. “Anything else?”

“Just the flowers you requested for Sophie.” She stepped aside, revealing a delicate arrangement of white roses, lilies, and soft green leaves resting on the side table.

“Perfect.”

“And there are smaller arrangements for her mother and her sister.”

A frown tugged at my mouth. “Lena’s coming? I thought she and Olivia didn’t get along.”

Mrs. Reyes’s smile softened, though there was a trace of wariness in her eyes. “Sophie insisted. She wants to mend the rift between them. A fresh start, she called it.”

“A fresh start.” I leaned back, the leather chair groaning beneath me. “With Olivia?”

“It’s her family.”

“Barely. Olivia turned her back on this pack. Ran off to marry a human.” The words came out sharper than I intended, but they were true. Olivia was a stranger in this world—an outsider who wore her rebellion like a badge of honor.

“Perhaps she’s here to find her way back.”

“Or to light another fire and watch it burn.”

Mrs. Reyes chuckled lightly. “You always see the worst in people.”

“I see what they are,” I corrected. “And Olivia is chaos. If Sophie thinks she can fix this family with a handful of flowers and a smile, she’s in for a rude awakening.”

“She’s an optimist,” Mrs. Reyes replied, her voice calm, her gaze steady. “Not all of us are built for shadows and storms, Alpha.”

I didn’t respond. Mrs. Reyes adjusted the flowers, smoothing a few petals with the care of a mother tending her child. I watched her, the calm of her presence a sharp contrast to the restless thoughts clawing at my mind.

“Would you like me to bring these to Sophie’s suite now?” she asked.

“Yes. Make sure everything is ready for tonight’s dinner as well. I don’t want any surprises.”

“Of course.” She smiled, offering a respectful nod before leaving, the door clicking shut behind her.

Alone again, I turned back to the map, but my thoughts refused to settle. I shut the laptop with a decisive click, the final report neatly sent, the last call made. The afternoon sun was already dipping toward the horizon, casting a warm, amber glow over the town, but my thoughts were anything but warm. Order. Control. Those were the cornerstones of my world, but one sarcastic, sharp-tongued woman had a way of dragging chaos in her wake.

CHAPTER 4

Adrian

The drive to my parents' home was a familiar one, winding through the quiet streets of Blue Springs, past the neatly trimmed lawns and tall, ancient trees that lined the main avenue.

And then, just at the edge of town, it rose—an elegant mansion perched on a gentle hill, a sprawling estate wrapped in iron gates and lush gardens. Tall, white columns flanked the front entrance, ivy curling up one side like a whisper of age and history. Large, arched windows reflected the fading sunlight, their soft glow spilling out onto the carefully maintained grounds.

The mansion was a blend of old-world charm and modern luxury, its stone façade warm and welcoming, the expansive lawn dotted with delicate flowerbeds and a small, trickling fountain at the center of the circular driveway. It was a place of tradition, of history—a testament to my family’s status in the pack.

My parents had once been prominent members of the pack council, their voices respected, their decisions trusted. They owned several hotels in the area, their influence stretching beyond just pack politics. They’d built a legacy of wealth and power, and when they retired, they’d done so gracefully, leaving the pack’s leadership to me.

Karl lived here too, a natural choice given his easy, charming nature and his position as the second Alpha. And recently, Sophie had moved in, her light and laughter a perfect fit for the bright, grand halls of the mansion.

I parked in the curved driveway, the gravel crunching beneath my tires. The house loomed above me, its warm, golden lights spilling out from the wide windows, a picture of warmth and family. But I hadn’t lived here in years.

Ten years ago, I’d renovated one of the hotels in the heart of Blue Springs—a towering, modern building of glass and steel, sleek lines and city views. I’d taken one of the penthouses for myself, a private escape where I could be alone, where the world outside could stay outside. It was practical. Efficient. Just how I liked it.

That was why Sophie had asked me to pick up Olivia this morning. We were already in the same building. Another reason for her to throw chaos into my carefully controlled life.

I stepped out of the car, the cool evening air brushing against me, and strode up the wide stone steps to the front door. The scent of fresh flowers lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of roasted meat and baked spices—dinner preparations well underway.

---