Page 36 of Knot in Bloom
“What if I mess it up?” The question comes out smaller than I intended.
“What if you’re exactly what we all need?”
The simple question catches me off guard. “You really think that’s possible?”
“I think maybe what feels impossible is actually just uncommon. But not wrong.” His thumb continues its gentle path along my jaw.
We stand there for a moment, the weight of what we’re discussing settling between us. Three alphas. One omega. A pack formation that goes against everything I thought I knew about my own limitations.
“Have a wonderful dinner tonight,” he says finally, voice dropping to that rough tone that makes my core clench. “Let Caleb take care of you the way you deserve.”
“And you’re okay with that?” The question comes out breathless, like I can’t quite believe what’s happening. Two months ago I couldn’t get a date, and now I have one alpha sending me off to dinner with another alpha like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“I’m more than okay with it.” He frames my face with both hands. “I’m looking forward to hearing all about it later.”
The heat in his voice makes my breath catch. “Levi.”
“Now go get ready for your day.” He kisses me then, soft and sweet but with heat underneath. “I’ll see you later.”
He winks as he heads for the door, leaving me breathless and aching.
After he leaves, I sit in my kitchen surrounded by the lingering scent of cedar and rain. Three different alphas. Three different ways of caring about me.
The thought follows me through my shower, getting dressed, opening the shop. I keep touching the notebook in my apron pocket, running my fingers over the pressed flowers.
What if I’m not omega enough to handle three alphas? What if my independence has made me too set in my ways?
Most omegas my age are already settled into established packs. At twenty-nine, I’m practically ancient by pack formation standards.
What if I’ve missed my window?
At nine exactly, Caleb shows up at my shop door with a toolbox and planning materials.
“Ready to turn this festival into something spectacular?” he asks, and there’s something different about him today. Lighter. The rigid control he usually carries has softened into something that looks almost playful.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I unlock the door, hyperaware of how his woodsy scent fills my shop immediately. “Fair warning, I have absolutely no idea what I’m doing on this scale.”
“I missed you,” he says quietly, stepping closer. Before I can respond, his hands frame my face and he kisses me. Soft but sure, like he’s been thinking about it since yesterday. When we break apart, my knees feel unsteady.
“Lucky for you, I specialize in complex logistics.” He sets his materials on my counter, rolls up his sleeves. The movement draws my attention to his forearms, and I have to look away before I do something embarrassing.
As I explain what Tessa needs for the festival, Caleb transforms into someone I remember from years ago. The big brother who could fix anything, organize any adventure, make the impossible seem manageable.
“This is actually perfect,” he says, spreading out papers across my counter.
“Perfect?” My voice cracks slightly. “Caleb, this is three times what I normally do.”
“Which is why we’re going to approach it strategically.” He moves closer to show me something on his planning sheets, and his warmth radiates against my side. “Look at this breakdown.”
I try to focus on his writing, but being this close to him makes my thoughts scatter. He smells like sandalwood and leather and something that makes me want to press my face against his neck.
“Main street displays can be modular units,” he explains, apparently unaware that his proximity is making me forget how to breathe. “Festival grounds get divided into zones. Nothing we can’t handle together.”
“That actually sounds manageable.”
“It is manageable. With proper planning.” He looks up from the papers, catching me staring at his mouth. Awareness sparks in his dark eyes. “Sorry, am I standing too close?”
“No.” The word comes out breathier than intended. “You’re fine. Perfect distance for... planning.”
