Page 1 of Knot Stepping Down
avery
I’mhalfwaythroughshovingmy laptop into my backpack when my favorite scent in the entire world hits me. A sharp tinge of pine with a bit of warmth, like a forest after a storm. My nose twitches as the scent floods my senses, my body betraying me instantly.
I clench my thighs together but it’s useless, the familiar feeling of slick gathering in my briefs, the humiliation spreading through my chest and heating my cheeks. I grip one of the pillows in my nest, trying to steady my thoughts as I remember justwhosmells like that.Declan Wolfe.
My stepbrother and the bane of my existence is somewhere in this house, probably smirking like he knows the effect he has on me. Ever since his mother moved them into our house, it’s like he enjoys tormenting me every chance he gets.
A smirk. That chuckle. The brush of his hand against my back.
It wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t weeks away from a heat and Declan wasn’t literally a walking asshole with a knotty cock attached. He’s also the hottest thing since sliced bread and he fucking knows it.
I’m screwed,I tell myself before slinging my bag over my shoulder and heading downstairs, praying I can grab a protein bar and bolt before I run into him.
Tonight’s the Winter Alpha Auction at Knotlocke Academy, the most scandalous tradition of the month, where Alphas sign up to be bid on for a night of fun. And in return, the proceeds fund Knotlocke’s sports department.
As strange as it is, it’s a tried and truemonthlytradition, sports split across the twelve months to allow for some variety.
And this time, I’ve got a plan. I’ve saved every penny from my part-time job at the library to bid on the number one esports player in school. The catch? That player is Declan. My stepbrother. Yeah, I’m a mess.
I squint as I step into the kitchen, instantly hating whoever left all of the lights on. Dad’s rich but that doesn’t mean I have to be blinded in my own house. I barely make it to the kitchen island when I realize Declan’s scent is much stronger in here. Swallowing nervously, I glance around to find him leaning against the counter, a mug in one hand, looking like he stepped out of an Omega’s fever dream.
The Alpha’s short black hair is mussed just enough to make my fingers itch, his dark brown eyes flicking up to meet mine. I have to bite my tongue to keep from letting out the sound that my Omega wants to—something between a moan and a purr, more slick gathering around my hole at the thought of Declan doing more than just staring.
It’s not fair how hot he is. It’s even less fair that it seems like it’s effortless, the way his navy blue shirt is unbuttoned down tohis mid chest, the way his jeans hug his thighs making my mouth water. The silk lays so beautifully on his dark skin, my mind going places it shouldn’t.
And that’s when I realize I’m staring at my stepbrother.
Fuck.
Declan throws me his famous panty-dropping smile before pushing off the counter to place his mug in the sink. “Hello, Avery,” he drawls, a hint of teasing at the edge of his voice. “Wake up on the wrong side of the bed?”
My cheeks burn as I hurry to the fridge, hoping that there’s something to curb my sudden hunger. “Nope, just finding something to eat before it’s time to leave.” I absolutely woke up on the wrong side of mynest, sweltered lines against my face that took entirely too long to go away. Add in the fact that I’m irritable and horny and Declan should be glad that the only thing I’m doing is ogling him. “Where’s Dad?”
Declan shrugs, his pine scent thickening a little as he shifts closer. My body reacts again, a shiver traveling down my spine, my cock starting to thicken until it’s almost uncomfortable. Going to the auction tonight is a terrible idea but I have plans.
His breath fans my ear, an embarrassing moan tearing from my throat as I melt against the fridge. He just laughs. “You’re extra jittery today. Big plans?”
I freeze. Does he know? No. That’s impossible. I’ve been careful, hiding my savings and only talking to my best friend, Milo, about what’s going on tonight. Everyone at the academy thinks I despise my stepbrother. There’s no way Declan could know. “Just, you know, school stuff,” I mumble, shuffling away from the fridge to grab a protein bar from the pantry. “Tests. Homework. Midterms are in a week or two.”
Declan snorts, tilting his head to the side as he leans back against the counter and folds his arms across his chest. The muscles beneath his silk shirt bulge ever so slightly, my scentgoing embarrassingly sweet before returning to normal. “You’re a terrible liar, Avery. Come on, spill. What’s got you all flustered? Is there someone new at school? I won’t tell our parents. Scouts honor.” He holds up three fingers before waiting for me to spill my guts.
The problem is that there’s no way I’m telling Declan just who’s in my head. I can’t really lie worth shit so I just deflect. I’m good at that. “I’m not flustered, just a little overwhelmed. Maybe you’re projecting. Big esports star, nervous about the auction tonight?” My voice wobbles toward the end as I take a large bite of my protein bar, willing my heart to slow down.
We can’t have him, I remind myself.
Unfortunately, my Omega wants what he wants and we’ve been dreaming of Declan in our nest since day one. My father, Henry, and Declan’s mother—Lila—married fast. The wedding happened on short notice and then I found out I had a brother. Well,stepbrother.
I can’t stop imagining Declan in my bed, his big hands pinning me down, kissing me senseless, knotting me, whisperingmy Omegain that gravelly voice of his. It’s torture and he’s oblivious, strutting around like a cocky Alpha without a care.
Declan’s still observing me before he shakes his head. “I’m not nervous in the slightest. Regardless of what happens tonight, the bids will pay for new team equipment. Looking at the Falcon 350 and damn, she’s a beauty. You coming to cheer me on?”
“It’s not a game, Declan,” I mutter. “It’s just an auction but I’ll be there.”
God, my face is on fire.
“Jesus Christ, Avery, you’re precious,” he muses. “If you weren’t my brother, this would be a very different conversation.” A grin spreads across his lips as he reaches out and tugs gently on one of my curls before stepping back. “You sure you don’t want a ride to school? I’m heading out in five.”
He didn’t just say that.
