Page 56 of Knot Only For One Night

“Shifty,” he rebuts.

I shake my head. “Beautiful. Clever.”

He hums, though I don’t think he believes me.

“Esper?”

Neven’s hands circle my waist, and my omega bounds up to attention, tail wagging. He rests his chin on my shoulder, his caramel scent wafting over me, and I smile even harder at his presence.

“Hey, handsome.” I lean into his arms. I spot my last scent match, my latest scent match trailing behind Neven. Asher grasps my hand, and I smile as my gaze moves back to Soren.

This is my Pack. My scent matches. Most of them, anyway.

My omega feels so at peace. Welcomed. I melt into Neven’s hold. This… this is what my mom was talking about. This sense of rightness when in the presence of my mates. A feeling that can’t be replicated or faked. A sure sign you’ve truly met your fated mates, and I feel it. By total accident.

Neven’s arms squeeze extra hard for a second before he kisses my temple. “What are you doing here?”

Blood rushes to my face, and I’m again grateful for the red mood lighting. “About that⁠—”

“Besides to see us,” Neven cuts in, and I shake my head.

“I need to apologize. I’ve been… rude. Thank you, for the cookies.”

“You don’t need to apologize.” Neven’s words tickle against my neck. Send thrills down my skin.

I shake myself from the haze. “I do. I want to treat my scent matches better than that.”

Asher steps closer, tightening his grip on my hand. “You’re allowed to have emotions. Feel things, Esper. It… it was a lot.” The alpha is shy… shyer than Neven and Soren. It’s like he’s waiting for the invitation instead of making the typical alpha move.

He’s giving me space… but space is the last thing I want right now.

I pull him closer to me, close enough to lean my head against his shoulder. “I… I am still hurt. Confused. But I am sure about you, all of you. I know we’re…”

My lips tried to form the word Pack, my throat to speak it. They were just so real out loud. I’m not scared of them, or scared to be tied to them. But I’m terrified to say so.

Not because I’m not ready. I just don’t want to scare them off.

I’m extra scared now.

Thanks, Reed.

Part of me wishes I could be mad at him, but in truth, I get it. He’s also allowed to feel the things he feels. I have to accept that.

Maybe I should give him space. I wouldn’t want anyone forcing me to… like them? Want them?

I don’t know. But I do know that this gift is staying right in my purse.

“Esper?”

My name is sharp in his voice, sending chills down my back.

Reed.

I don’t have the strength to turn and face him. My gaze shoots to Soren, who seems not at all surprised at the second omega’s appearance.

“Ain’t that why you’re here, Trouble?” Soren asks.

I scoff under my breath. Of course I’m that obvious.