Page 95 of Knot Gonna Lie
“Do you like it?” Worry threaded through Seth’s voice as he searched my expression for truth. “We wanted to give you as much of a blank slate as possible, but enough furniture to provide you with ample space to lounge.”
“Honestly, Seth.” My lips found his briefly, tasting concern and something sweeter beneath. “I don’t think you understand that this is more than enough for me. All I wanted was to get out of the station, find a gentle and caring alpha, and be part ofa clan. This is nice and all, but I’m starting to feel like it may be too much.”
Too much—when everything before had been not enough. The irony tasted like freedom on my tongue.
“Nothing is too much when it comes to keeping our omega happy.” Jaxom’s fingers tucked hair behind my ear, the gesture achingly tender for hands that knew how to command. “We wanted to buy a vacation home before we even met you. Now that we have you, it just gives us more of an excuse to spend our money.”
“Like you need an excuse to buy things.” The eye roll came naturally, teasing wrapped in truth. “I’ve seen how quick you’re to purchase and how full your storage bay was. If you come with us tomorrow, I bet you’ll spend more than me.”
Luca’s presence filled the doorway before his scent reached us—dark spice and barely leashed tension that made my newly formed bond sing with recognition and warning in equal measure. His jaw carried the particular tightness that meant business, meant blood, meant the kind of conversations that happened behind closed doors while omegas waited in gilded cages.
“Eli’s here.” The words fell between us, weighted with implications that made Seth’s hand tighten against my spine. “I need to meet with him. Alone.”
Alone. The word carved hollow spaces in my chest, places where pack bonds had only just begun to nest. Since the moment they’d claimed me, since heat had burned through my veins and left me reformed in their image, we hadn’t been apart. Not truly. Not like this.
“How long?” My voice betrayed nothing of the sudden vertigo, the sense of tethers stretching toward breaking.
“A few hours. Maybe more.” Luca’s eyes found mine, alpha-gold softening at the edges. “Pack business that predates you, little omega. Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
Pack business. The kind that required Seth and Jaxom’s presence, their strength flanking their alpha while deals were struck or threats neutralized. The kind that left omegas wandering through empty villas, counting heartbeats until reunion.
“I’ll stay with—” Jaxom started, but Luca’s growl cut through intention like a blade through silk.
“You’ll stand with me. Both of you.” Command laced every syllable, the kind that brooked no argument. “This concerns all of us.”
The air shifted, testosterone and unspoken communication flowing between my alphas in currents I could feel but not decipher. Seth’s thumb pressed harder against my spine, a promise or apology written in pressure.
“Elara needs—”
“I’ll take her.”
Stella materialized in the doorway behind Luca, Maia hovering at her shoulder like a shadow. Both betas wore expressions of practiced understanding, the kind that came from years of being the ones who waited while their mates carved up worlds for them.
“The omega market plaza just opened for the morning.” Stella’s smile held genuine warmth beneath its careful construction. “Perfect timing to get everything you’ll need for your next heat. And decorations for the villa, of course.”
“We know all the best vendors.” Maia stepped forward. “The ones who understand what a newly bonded omega actually needs, not just what alphas think we need.”
Shopping. Such a mundane word for what felt like exile, like punishment for crimes uncommitted. But beneath the surface, Irecognized the offering—sisterhood extended like a lifeline while pack bonds stretched across distance for the first time.
“That sounds...” Perfect. Terrible. Necessary. “...lovely.”
Luca crossed the space between us in three strides, his hand cupping my jaw with possessive gentleness. “Three hours. Four at most.” His thumb traced my lower lip, marking territory even in leaving. “Stella and Maia will take care of you.”
The kiss he pressed to my forehead burned like a brand, like promise, like chains made of devotion. Seth claimed my mouth next, desperate and deep, as if he could pour enough of himself into me to last the separation. Jaxom’s embrace surrounded us both, his lips finding the junction where neck met shoulder, where Luca’s bite mark throbbed with sweet ache.
“Be good.” The words rumbled against my skin, command and plea tangled together. “Stay close to them.”
Then they were pulling away, taking warmth and certainty with them. Already, the bond ached with distance that hadn’t even begun.
“Come on.” Stella’s hand slipped into mine, her beta scent wrapping around me like comfort I didn’t know I needed. “The best fabrics sell out early, and you’ll want specific textures for nesting. Trust me, your next heat will be nothing like your first.”
Maia flanked my other side, creating a barrier of feminine solidarity against the anxiety crawling up my throat. “Plus, we need to discuss exactly what kind of statement you want the villa to make. Subtle power? Dangerous beauty? Or something uniquely yours?”
Uniquely mine. As if anything could be mine alone anymore, when every breath carried their scent, when every thought filtered through bonds still raw from formation.
The males departed through another door, their voices already dropping into tones that meant strategy, meant violenceheld in careful check. The distance stretched between us, invisible tethers pulled taut but holding. For now.
“Feeling the effects of your first time apart?” Maia’s question held no judgment, only understanding.
