Page 22 of Knot Gonna Lie
They would wait. Prove themselves worthy first. Only then might they earn welcome in my nest—and if fortune smiled, an invitation to join my pack.
“Congratulations.” The curly brown-haired male stepped forward, hazel eyes bouncing between us as he raked nervous fingers through his hair. “I apologize—I didn’t prepare myself for this.” He winced, casting a wary glance at my alpha. “Sorry, Bossman. Unfortunately, nothing’s guaranteed when it comes to the arena. At least, that’s what they always say.”
“Quite all right,” I soothed, gracing him with a gentle smile. “Nothing to apologize for…except perhaps not sharing your names.”
“Oh! Of-Of-Of course!” he stammered, wiping damp palms on his pants before extending his hand. “I’m Jaxom, our clan’s inventory manager. I’m responsible for ensuring our goods arrive securely and the crew has everything needed.”
Warmth flowed through our joined hands—thick and sweet, like honey.
“So you’ll be the one I approach about my nest requirements?”
“Absolutely.” His eyes widened, a nervous chuckle escaping. “I mean…anything for you. Simply tell me what you need.”
“She’ll need everything,” my alpha announced, his grip tightening on my sides as he pressed his nose to my crown and inhaled deeply. “Once I’ve marked her, we’ll escort her to The Center for anything she requires before departure.”
“When will we decide our next destination?” The spikey-haired male crossed his arms, leaning against the table as he jerked his head toward us. “Shouldn’t we determine that before you two become too wrapped up in each other during her heat?”
“Tonight, Xavier,” their alpha growled, exhaling frustration. “You worry about piloting us safely, I’ll handle the clan’s wellbeing.”
“Do you know how far along you are?” the long-haired man asked, scanning my form with gray-blue eyes before drawing a careful breath. “Your aroma is sweet, needy, and potent. I don’t need medical training to recognize you could enter full heat any moment.”
“I was on suppressants until recently,” I explained, pressing back against the delicious hardness behind me. “Hopefully, it should be enough to grant me a few more days, at least.”
His eyes widened, mouth falling open in shock. “That means your heat will be more intense than normal.”
“Which means I—”
The arena elevator chimed, its border blazing to life and flooding the room with harsh illumination. My alpha spun us to face the doors, guiding me back a protective step. The three betas instantly formed a living wall before us.
The concerned medic with flowing brown hair positioned himself directly in front of me. An unexpected urge seized me—to reach out and test if those silken strands felt as soft as they appeared, to braid them like artwork between my fingers. I caught myself before making such a fool’s move, touching someone without permission.
Regardless that I was omega and he was beta within my new clan, boundaries still held sacred meaning. I hadn’t established myself with his alpha—whose hands still claimed my waist—so reaching for another before bearing his mark would be improper, no matter my curiosity.
The elevator doors whispered open, revealing an irritated Quinn. She swept the room with calculating assessment until her gaze found mine, lips pursing in disappointment as she shook her head with resigned disapproval.
“You could’ve at least pretended interest in the others. Instead, I received an earful of complaints about wasting precious alphas’ time. Some went so far as claiming this was all pre-planned.” She stepped from the elevator, halting beyond the beta barrier. Her lips curved in amused recognition of the protective wall they’d created between us. “If not for my sense of smell, I’d be asking if Mr. Coco claimed you here and now. By the way, these betas are preventing me from approaching.”
“You’re wrong, gamma,” Xavier snarled. “Wouldn’t matter if you were the Matron herself. We protect what’s ours. Until either my alpha or his omega grants permission, you’re not passing through.”
Displeasure flared through me like wildfire. Quinn was my caretaker, and regardless of future changes, I wanted her woveninto my life’s tapestry. I couldn’t understand their refusal to step aside. Shouldn’t they know who she was?
“Quinn is welcome whenever she chooses,” my alpha commanded. The weight of his bark rolled over me like thunder, making my knees quiver with its power. “Until Elara or I decree otherwise. Elara may have chosen me in the arena, but I haven’t marked her. Under station law, she remains Gamma Quinn’s responsibility.”
The three betas disbanded their wall instantly, moving aside without further protest. Xavier lingered beside us as the others claimed seats at the wall table, attention riveted on Quinn.
“She’s under my care until marked,” Quinn corrected, stepping into the space the medic had vacated. “Once you become a bonded pair, I’ll still conduct well-being check-ups to ensure nothing’s amiss.”
“My alpha would never abuse her,” Xavier growled. “It’s insulting to even suggest such—”
“Have you forgotten our past?” She whirled on the aggressive beta, positioning herself inches from his face. “Laws exist for sacred reasons. To protect omegas and betas from tyrannical alphas who’ve abused their power. Do you want to return to times when alphas barked commands more than they spoke? When raping and killing your rival’s omega was considered sport?”
“No.” Xavier shook his head vigorously. “No one wants that darkness.”
“Then don’t challenge me.” She backed away, nodding at the male holding me. “I’m not afraid to correct your beta, but given the current situation’s intensity, I won’t take offense. Next time, I won’t be as lenient.”
“No offense taken,” he replied, relaxing his protective hold. “I’ll ensure my crew understands boundaries.”
Quinn nodded approval, then turned those knowing brown eyes to mine. “What do you want to do?”
