Page 93 of Knot Your Karma
The tears start again, but this time they’re happy tears—relief and gratitude and overwhelming love for these three men who see my dreams as worth supporting instead of obstacles to manage around.
“I want to call him right now,” I say suddenly, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “Before I lose my nerve and start overthinking everything and convince myself this is all too good to be true.”
“Do it,” Declan says simply.
Adrian and Reed both lean forward, their anticipation mixing with mine until the air practically vibrates with positive energy. Through whatever magical pack bond thing wehave going, I can feel their shared excitement—not just for me, but for all of us, for the future we’re building together.
I pick up the phone and dial Sterling’s number before I can chicken out, pulse jumping in my throat as excitement drowns out everything else.
He answers immediately, like he’d been sitting by the phone waiting. “Karma? Is everything?—”
“I accept!” I cut him off without hesitation, words spilling out in a rush of confidence and determination that surprises even me. “The job, I mean. I accept the position. And my mom would like to have coffee with you. Like, very much would like to have coffee and maybe discuss how thirty years is long enough to carry regrets around.”
Silence on the other end, then a sound that might be Sterling crying or laughing or both, which honestly makes me like him even more.
“That’s... that’s wonderful news,” he says finally, his voice thick with emotion and barely contained joy. “Both pieces of news. When can you start?”
Adrian
“So let me get this straight,”my mother says through the phone, her voice lifting at the end of each sentence before dropping into that familiar sigh that means she’s trying not to laugh. “You, Dec, and Reed met an omega, Karma. She got offered the job of a lifetime by a millionaire who’s been in love with her mother for thirty years. And you’re all moving to Boston after Christmas.”
“That covers it,” I say, putting Ma on speaker while I take these curves toward home.
The November afternoon light filters through changing leaves, painting everything in shades of gold and amber that remind me why I fell in love with this little coastal town in the first place.
Well, that and Karma. Who I haven’t seen in two weeks. They came home while I stayed back to get our things in order. We were serious when we told her—where she goes, we go.
“Though you’re missing the part where she accidentally stole a family heirloom and got tangled up with the most complicated pack dynamics I’ve ever seen.”
“Adrian Michael Blackwood.” The full name treatment.I’m definitely in trouble. “Why didn’t you call me the moment you realized you’d found your omega?”
“Everything happened quickly, Ma.” I pause, considering how to explain the whirlwind of the last few months. “We came to Anchor’s Rest for a job involving Declan’s family. Then we met an omega who’d stolen a compass to get back at her cheating ex. Then we realized she was a scent match, but we had to play it safe and slow.”
“Stolen?”
“Long story involving revenge, maritime antiques, and what Karma calls cosmic justice. You’ll understand when you meet her.”
“How are Declan and Reed handling all this? I imagine Declan’s in full planning mode, and Reed’s probably trying to diplomatically manage everyone’s emotions with terrible humor.”
Something tight unfurls in my chest at her easy acceptance. Mom’s known about our connection for years, but hearing her embrace Karma and the formal pack bonding with such easy warmth makes my throat constrict with gratitude.
“Declan’s exactly like you’d expect—already planning security for the ceremony and researching Boston neighborhoods as if he’s preparing for deployment. Reed’s in heaven, coordinating with both our families and probably half of Anchor’s Rest by now. He really is great at that.”
“And Karma? How’s she handling having three men reorganize her entire life?”
“Better than we deserve. She’s brilliant, Ma. Takes broken things, forgotten pieces, and finds their true value. Makes everything beautiful again. That’s what she did for us.”
“She sounds perfect for you three.” Mom sighs wistfully. It’s one of those sighs moms make when they really want to push to meet the love of their child’s life, but she’s patient. Thankfully so.
“She is.” Fuck, I miss my girl.
“When do I get to meet Karma? It’s been too long since I’ve seen you boys, and I need to properly welcome our new daughter into the family.”
“Soon. We’re planning something for Christmas, actually. Karma’s never had a big family celebration, and Reed’s family does this elaborate thing every year. We’re thinking about combining traditions.”
“You better include your mother in those plans, Adrian Blackwood. I’ve been waiting thirty-two years for grandchildren, and if you think I’m missing out on meeting my new daughter, you’ve got another think coming.”
I laugh, pulling into Karma’s driveway and seeing the warm light spilling from her kitchen windows. “Wouldn’t dare try to keep you away. Fair warning though—Karma will have you charmed within five minutes.”
