Page 37 of Knot Forever

“She’s fine,” I reassure him. “Sleeping. And we need to talk.”

I go through the details of our evening, details I couldn’t send in the brief messages I fired off earlier after Williams and his second walked away from me in that parking lot.

Seth and Marcus both have darkness in their faces by the time I finish.

“Williams is a pup, but he’s a hungry one,” Seth says, swirling his drink. “He won’t stop there. Nothing more dangerous than bruised pride, and he feels that we stole Nova from him where everyone could see. Has to sting.”

I nod. “I agree, but I’m more concerned about his second. The man’s a psychopath.”

Marcus stirs. “Julian Williams. He was banned from two other packs before he joined the Williams pack.”

Seth and I turn to him in surprise, and Seth frowns. “He was? I didn’t pick up on that.”

Marcus shrugs, disgust on his face. “I did some research. He was abusive to their omegas.”

By which he means he’s gleaned every little bit of information available about them online, and probably information that’s not strictly legal. Marcus has a fascination with tech that’s led him into trouble over the years, but it works in our favor too. And that’s what I’m banking on as the plan solidifies in my mind.

“It’s more evidence, but we knew he was violent already.” Dark rage courses through me as I recall the summary Seth gave me, enough for me to know that despite her relative innocence, Nova has been through far more than any omega deserves.

She deserves a happy life, free from assholes like the Williams pack who see her as a possession, a toy to be played with and tossed aside when it breaks.

I turn to Marcus. “I want their accounts cleared, Marcus. Call in their debts, tank their investments. Whatever you can to drain away any and all income streams.”

Marcus grins, and it’s savage. “All the way?”

I nod. It’s further than we would generally go unless circumstances demand it. A warning is normally enough to have the right people singing the same tune as us, but I don’t want to warn the Williams pack.

I want to destroy them for putting the fear in Nova’s eyes that I saw tonight.

“Desperate men do desperate things,” Seth muses. “Need to be careful.”

My fingers tap on the arm of the chair. “Nova is our priority.”

“Agreed. She’s perfect, Ash.” Seth’s voice turns a little hoarse. “She’s a perfect fit for us.”

“I think so, too.” There are parts of me she still hasn’t seen, parts that could make her run, but I have faith.

I look at Marcus. “And you? How do you feel, Marcus?”

He nods. “I want her to stay. I’m working on the rest.”

“Good.” Standing up, I make for the door. I’m not about to linger when I have a warm bundle of Nova upstairs.

Nova Chevnik is ours. And she’s starting to realize it.

Chapter seventeen – Nova

A few days after my punishment, I’m inching my head around a door when a cloud of nutmeg rolls over me.

Seconds later, warmth appears at my back.

“What mischief are you making?” Seth murmurs in my ear. I know it’s him, but the feel of his breath in my ear still makes my heart skip a beat.

Turning, I’m met with a bright smile, his green eyes taking me in with a sweep. “Nova. Looking lovely this morning.”

“Seth.” I twist my fingers around, and his eyes drop to them.

“What’s the matter?” he asks. His hand comes up, rubbing a strand of dark hair between his fingers. “Your hands give you away, sweetheart. Now tell me what’s wrong.”

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