Page 13 of Knot Your Sunshine
The omega practically vibrates with excitement, bouncing on her toes. "I'm Elena! And listen, I love Beaumont pastries, I really do, but we're in Hawaii! I want to try malasadas and haupia pie and those coconut things… what are they called? The ones with the chocolate?"
Of course.The pieces click into place almost audibly. Their omega... This is Elena Beaumont, last year's prestigious Lakeview Baking Festival winner. If the trade blogs are right, she recently opened a bakery that's already the best in her state, even outselling the Lakeview Beaumont Patisserie branch...
"Chocolate haupia bars," I supply, keeping my voice steady despite realizing I'm speaking to the baker everyone's been talking about. "And I'd be happy to arrange a tasting menu of local specialties. The resort has connections with the best local bakeries."
"Really?" Her eyes go wide, and I find myself genuinely charmed by her enthusiasm. "That would be amazing!"
The second alpha saunters forward with the kind of confidence that suggests he could charm his way out of prison. His blue eyes glitter with mischief. "James Reynolds," he says, offering a hand.
I shake it, my eyebrow lifting. "James Reynolds as in the 2025 National Baking Champion?"
He flashes a grin that's positively wicked. "The one and only. Though I prefer 'devilishly handsome pastry genius,' if we're using titles."
The third alpha is built like he could bench press a small car and not break a sweat. When he extends his hand, I note the calluses, the small scars, the way his gaze never stops moving, scanning our surroundings like he's cataloging exits and potential threats.
"Cole, Lakeview Fire Department," he says simply, and his grip could crack a walnut.
"J-Josh." I do my best to keep my face neutral while my hand throbs. "Good to meet you."
But I can't stay focused on them, charismatic as they are, not when Mia is right there, close enough that her scent keeps washing over me in waves. I turn back to her, drawn like a compass finding north.
"Now if you'll follow me, I'll take you to our transport. Before we go though—" I raise my hand and several uniformed members of our resort staff approach us. "I've arranged for a team to take your bags and transport them separately byhelicopter. They'll be waiting in your rooms when you arrive. Saves you from hauling them all around."
"Oh, that's—" Mia starts, but Cole cuts her off.
"Hold on. Helicopter?"
"Yes, VIPs usually take the helicopter. Twenty minutes to the resort versus nearly two hours by car and boat." I keep my tone even, professional. "The cabin fits four plus the pilot, so we'll need to split up. But I can get a second helicopter here in minutes."
"I don't like this." Cole's voice drops to a low rumble that would probably make an arsonist confess on the spot. "You seem pleasant enough, and your stories seem to add up, but we don't know a damn thing about you or your boss. Except that he contacted Mia to talk business." His jaw clenches, muscles working. "For all we know, you could be a trafficker. I thought about it on the plane, and I'm sure a pretty omega like this would fetch a much bigger price than a first-class ticket."
"I—" I start, but Elena cuts me off with a dramatic eye roll.
"Oh my god, Cole, seriously? Look at him." She gestures at me. "Does Josh really look like a kidnapper to you? He's wearing designer glasses and his shirt has a crease ironed into the sleeves. Kidnappers don't iron creases into their sleeves."
She turns to me with a warm smile that only makes me understand more why her pack adores her. "Sorry about him. I love my alpha to pieces, but he can be... intense about safety."
Cole's expression softens as he looks at her. "Sorry, Sugar. I just... helicopters aren't like cars. If someone wanted to make you disappear, it'd be easier in the air. No witnesses, no escape routes."
Dorian's hand settles on Cole's shoulder. "Don't worry, Cole. I had someone research the resort while we were on the plane. It's legitimate, five-star, excellent safety record. Six helicopter pilots on staff, all ex-military with spotless records." He looks atme with those sharp eyes that probably see straight through my nervous energy. "But of course, we can never be too cautious."
"Which is why I'll go with Mia in the helicopter," Elena announces as if on cue, threading her arm through Mia's. "And you're coming with us, Cole. For protection." She winks at him. "You can glare at Josh the whole flight if it makes you feel better."
The tension melts from Cole's shoulders like ice in the sun.
"Perfect," I say, trying to maintain my composure while cackling internally at how perfectly everything is working out. "I'll arrange for an additional helicopter immediately."
"Actually," Dorian says smoothly, already typing on his phone with one hand, "I just texted a contact who's already arranging for our own helicopter transport. You can take our luggage though." He smiles, then gives Cole's shoulder a squeeze. "I'm sure no one would try anything with you on board, but as an extra precaution, we'll be right behind you. Ten minutes, tops."
Looking at Cole's biceps, which are roughly the circumference of my thigh, I have to agree. The man looks like he wrestles grizzly bears for cardio.
"Excellent. This way, please." I start walking, grateful that the logistics are finally sorted and we can move forward.
As we head toward the tarmac where our helicopter waits, triumph courses through my veins like champagne, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning like a maniac. The plan is working. Despite the minor hiccup with the protective alpha, everything is falling into place.
Mia walks beside me, occasionally brushing my arm in a way that sends electricity shooting through my entire nervous system. Each accidental touch is torture and bliss combined. She's here. She's real. She's more perfect than any algorithm could have predicted.
And I'm taking her home.
