Page 26 of Knot Excused
“You look like shit,” Teddy says.
“Back at you,” I retort, even though it’s a weak-ass rebuttal.
“We’ve got one more mid-sized town to go,” Rook says, cutting through our bickering. “We’ve driven past it but not through it. So we are going down every damn street this time. We are going to scent every inch of this country until we find her.”
I’m so sick I have to stop at a rest area and dry-heave on the grass and that’s when I scent her again.
“She’s been here!” I squawk, my voice raspy and raw, and I immediately drop to my belly on the ground to inhale the scent.
Oh my god, it’s delicious, it’s divine. She’s not cut it through with cat shit, it’s just pure unadulterated Omega, and my mouth is open so wide I’m panting like a dog, licking each blade of grass because I swear I can taste that unique combination of tart and sweet on my tongue.
Then I’m yelling at Rook and Teddy and stumbling back to the car.
“Faster,” I hiss. “She’s close. I can feel it.”
My blood urges me on, and I can feel my canines lengthening, wanting to sink them into Piper’s aggravating scrumptious creamy neck and bite down hard.
“Where is she?” Where is she?” Teddy growls, and I can hear the distinct crack of Rook’s door handle as Teddy’s powerful hands grip it.
My mind is racing.
“Piper is smart,” I said slowly, reluctant admiration gliding through my blood. “She obviously doesn’t want to be found. I think she’s here masking her scent in some way, and that’s why we’ve had such a hard time finding her.”
CHAPTER14
Piper
Working at theBonnes Odeursis actually pretty damn nice.
I was afraid all the scents in this perfumery would be overwhelming, but since I never actually completed the mate bonding ritual with my Alphas, all these competing smells don’t really bother me.
Having distinctive perfumes is very popular with Betas, even though they don’t have them innately like Alphas and Omegas do. It’s hot to get your own custom-made scent, so business is hopping here.
However, I’m only in my third day of work when fucking problems arise.
I look up and see three hulking men opening the door of the perfume shop.
Oh, shit.
They’re here. I can smell the strong, dark steel and unyielding wood of Rook, crisp, sharp mountain air of Erain, and something warm and rich of Teddy. Some damn butterscotch or something.
I’m very happy I’ve taken my suppressants every morning. It keeps me from having to obey Rook’s Alpha bark as he immediately snaps my name at my poor Beta manager and demands to know where I am.
Those assholes must have tracked me down here.
Well, thank God I’m not sad enough to be planning celibacy and I’ve got my ex-boyfriend/situationship Mario waiting outside in a truck for when my shift is over. Because I need to get out of here right now.
I slowly edge to the exit, hoping the different smells mask my own for a few moments until I can escape.
I catch a glimpse of Rook, Erain, and Teddy, and notice with a petty pleasure that they’re looking rather the worse for wear.
Good
I grab a bottle of particularly noxious perfume called Springtime Cabbage and make a break for it.
I was hoping for stealth and speed, but unfortunately I only get one of those. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rook jerk his head around and spot me.
“Piper!” he called out. “Wait, Piper!”
