Page 4 of Knot For Keeps

“It’s getting late, you should sleep. Don’t exhaust yourself further on my account, it’s not like I’m going anywhere!”

Archer snorted. “Not happening, this call is the highlight of my week Lav. It’s not worth missing for an extra hour of sleep.”

“Flattery.”

“Flattery and bribery are the only ways I have to win you over! I’ve got to use what I can. Do you still have plenty of gummy bears by the way?”

“I’m almost out.” I pouted, holding up a half empty bag.

“Oh that’s no good. I’ll send some more. There are some limited-edition gummy bears I saw today, watermelon and blue raspberry ones!”

“They sound so good, but brown sugar is where it’s at.”

“Very true.”

“How did Kane’s latest job go?” I asked. Archer’s packmate had been away for a few days working a private security job.

Archer smiled. “I’m surprised you remember that. It went really well. He’s tired, extra grouchy, but home safe and well. Gage ordered enough Mexican take out tonight to feed an army.”

“Ugh, stop. You’ll make me jealous.”

“You could always join us.” Archer raised his eyebrows.

“I think the Keepers would frown on that.”

“Too busy being locked in your tower?”

“It’s a hard life of luxury.” I giggled.

“How’s Fawn doing?” I had told Archer about my roommate when she had returned from her pack house. At first I’d panicked, thinking Archer would want to start talking to her, but instead he had shown genuine concern.

“Good, and she thanks you for finding the discontinued eye cream. She’s convinced you’re a wizard.”

“Abracadabra!”

I snorted. “You’re such a moron. Why do I keep talking to you?” I asked.

“The food.”

“Ahh yes, the food. Oh! You’ll never guess who emailed me today - my mother.” I shuddered.

“I thought you had her blocked?”

“I did. Yet somehow, the religious nut still manages to find ways to let me know just how big of a disgrace I am. She’s convinced I’ve ruined my life by getting that pesky education.”

“The Keepers should do something about her.” Archer frowned. He knew all about my family. I had spilled my guts one evening when I was feeling hormonal, sad, and lonely. He had listened and been so understanding.

“It’s not all that bad, at least I have gummy bears!” I laughed, holding up the bag I was currently eating.

“Oh, it’s a life of luxury then! Any new documentaries to recommend?” He changed the topic with ease, knowing talk of my mother could drag me down a bit. “I’ve finished watching the last series you told me about. Seriously, why the dude decided he wanted to murder people and throw them down the drain is beyond me.”

Every week I gave Archer new true crime documentary recommendations, and every week he watched it and we discussed it during our calls.

“I think serial killers don’t really follow normal logic. I did watch a good series on a whack job religious cult up north that was interesting, I’ll send you the link. How do you even find time to watch all these, I thought you had loads of work?” He had a full time job and a pack, so didn’t exactly have copious free time. I, on the other hand, had a pretty light schedule as I was hardly talking to any packs at the moment. I had finished my last university class a month ago and was just waiting for my final grade to come through.

I didn’t feel the need to rush into finding a pack. I didn’t want to focus on material things, I wanted the vibes to be right. One of the first packs I had gotten to know had been horrified I was getting an education, so they had swiftly been removed from my roster. The pack I chose needed to know me for me, and like me for me. The last thing I wanted was a pack who just chose me because I was an omega.

Archer’s grin grew somehow wider. “I’ve got plenty of work, but sleep is for the weak, and you keep recommending such amazing documentaries. Plus, I’ll always find time to chat with you; you’re the best sort of bad influence and I never want it to stop.”

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