Page 11 of Knot my Alphas

A queen-sized bed stands in the far corner. Red velvet drapes hang over the posts, giving it an old-fashioned charm. The furniture is dark mahogany and screams of an era of royal luxury.

Several photo frames cover the mantel over the fireplace. Going toward it, I sweep my gaze over them.

“No way,” I whisper, picking up one of the framed photographs.

The same woman is in all of them. It’s like staring at myself in clothes that were fashionable a couple of decades ago.

“Who are you?” I ask the smiling woman who’s my mirror image.

Loosening the back of the frame, I take out the photograph and shove it inside the breast pocket of my shirt. It’s odd to be stealing something from Callahan but I can’t help it.

Ineedto know who she is. No one would believe me if I told them there’s someone out there who looks exactly like me.

My gaze falls on a massive mahogany wardrobe next. Going toward it, I throw open the doors.

The faint scent of roses and cherries wafts into my nostrils. There’s something extremely familiar about the fragrance even though I’ve never smelled the combination on anyone I know.

Old-fashioned dresses and gowns hang from the wardrobe.

Moving closer, I deeply inhale the scent still lingering on them.

The strangest feeling of comfort and safety steals through me. I don’t understand it but the scent calms me.

My hands caress the worn gowns. As I do, something between the dresses catches my eye.

Sweeping the dresses to one side, I catch sight of another portrait that’s been shoved to the very back.

Bending forward, I grab the edges and pull the painting out. The gold-framed portrait is heavy but I don’t give up. Taking it out, I carry it toward the light and set it down.

I step back to take a good look at the painting.

The lookalike woman is sitting on a chair and a man in full military garb stands behind her.

He’s extremely handsome. Just one look at his tall, muscular stature, and I can immediately guess him to be an alpha. A closer look reveals that we have the same eyes and shape of lips.

I stare at the two people in the painting.

A powerful emotion stirs up deep inside me. I feel like I should know them, but my mind comes up blank.

A sudden creaking sound makes me jump.

Turning around, I see the door opening and Callahan stepping inside.

Shit, I curse, realizing I lost too much time rummaging through the strange woman’s things. The golden opportunity to sneak out of here is gone now.

Callahan comes to stand beside me and stares up at the portrait before me. A strangely tender look comes over him, softening the harsh lines of his aged face.

“It looks like you’ve finally met your mother.”

3

Caleb

A smile lifts the corner of my lips as I swirl wine around a crystal goblet. The decadent liquor tastes extra sweet because of the win Raiden and I achieved this afternoon.

“Aren’t you glad we did this?” Raiden asks, taking a deep sip of his wine. “Damon was right. We needed to get ourselves involved in the investigation regarding the Black Widow. There’s no way we can trust Callahan after the way he filed a false complaint against us.”

I nod, thinking about the meeting with Dad this afternoon.

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