Page 23 of Tied in Knots
He draws in a deep breath. “Strawberries and cream, right?”
The low growl that escapes my lips, cuts off suddenly as Ben and I lock gazes. I can’t help the smug expression that falls over my features.
“That's all you smell?”
Matt looks between me and Ben, and nods warily.
“That just proves you have no business being with her. Her scent has subtler undertones that your beta nose just isn’t equipped to deal with.”
Matt glares at me but doesn’t respond to my dig. I’m not usually so ornery with him. I actually like him and consider him a member of this family, but this omega situation – theFaithsituation – has made me more possessive than I expected to be. I’ve often thought about how I would be with our mated omega. Caring, loving, attentive, great in the sack, but possessive and ready to kill for her without even knowing her name has taken me completely by surprise.
“If it’s not clear already, you need to stay away from her,” I state, just so there are no misunderstandings.
“I wanted to clear the air,” he sulks. “We left things…not nice.”
“Which is everything to do with you. You treated her like shit and now you want to ‘clear the air’ because she is right here when you thought you’d never see her again. Sorry, mate. Not happening. If she will see you when she is more comfortable here, then by all means, have a conversation with her.” I’m not telling him about her pre-heat. It will get him in a tizzy. He may not be an alpha, but he will feel a pull towards her of some kind, mild as it may be.
He gives me a look that speaks volumes. I’ve called him out and he knows it. “Fine.”
He stalks off and I let out a shallow breath. Blinking at Ben, who picks the tray up again, I ask, “Why are you half dressed?” The suspicion in my tone makes his eyes go hard. The thing with Ben is, he is the perfect gentleman. He will open your door for you, allow you to go first, insist on paying for your half of the meal, smile, make great conversation, but underneath…there lurks a beast quite vicious who takes pleasure in other people’s pain. Not that of his pack, but outsiders.
“What’s it to you?”
“Curious. Did you give her your clothes to nest with?”
“Yes.”
“Fucker,” I snarl, stepping forward with my hand outstretched.
He takes a step back, hands full of tray.
“Before you kill me, know that she still has your tie and has it wrapped around her head like Rambo. Trust me. You have nothing to worry about.”
My hand drops and my heart swells with something that I’ve never felt before, so I don't recognise it, but I know it makes me feel warm and cuddly. Two things that are not familiar to me either. “Really?” I feel the need to confirm this as fact because if he’s just saying that to deflect from his own actions, it will gut me.
“Yes, really. See for yourself.” He shrugs it off as if it’s no concern to him.
I know differently though. If I tied her up and abducted her off the fucking street and she still nested in my home with an item of my clothing that same night, it means her instincts are ruling her, and the more she gives in to them, the better that is for all of us. While her full,lucidcooperation in being here would be preferred, right now knowing she feels safe here means a lot and will pave the way to the rest.
I follow Ben through the kitchen and up the stairs, pausing outside her room.
“Should we both go in?" Ben asks, weirdly unsure of himself for once.
I nod and see the relief in his eyes.
“Key’s in my pocket.”
I glance down at his joggers. “Seriously? Just hand me the tray.”
He snickers and passes it over before digging around in his pocket for the key that will ultimately unlock our destiny.
I hear the click and watch as he pushes the door wide open. I take a step forward, suddenly nervous. I mentally roll my eyes at my ridiculous behaviour and hasten forward, dropping the tray lightly on the nightstand before I turn to the wardrobe.
Knocking lightly, I say her name. “Faith.”
“Mm.”
Her murmured reply is all the encouragement I need to open the door and peer inside.
