Page 63 of Knot Only For One Night

“I’ve never been inside,” I say like a dumbfounded fool. Her eyes pierce mine, and I couldn’t lie to her if I tried. Not even if a lie would comfort her more.

“So you don’t want to?” She tilts her head and instead of being sad, her eyes hold a small fire that whips around, loose and waving. I could almost breathe a sign of relief. I’d rather her mad than sad. I’d prefer happiness, but I’ll take what I can get.

Though I’m not sure why she’s mad at me.

Wouldn’t she prefer me to wait for permission to enter?

“Invite him in, Princess.” Red’s voice shocks her, making her jump a little before turning to glance back at him. I love watching her. Red nods once, and she looks back at me, sheepishly, that single flame of fire in her eye gone, her face growing a bit red.

“Oh…Sorry.” A fierce blush takes over her face. “I forgot.”

“No need to apologize, ever. This is your space.” I hope she knows I truly mean it.

“Asher, please, come in.” She grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me inside and slams the door shut behind her. She doesn’t face the two alphas, beta, and omega standing crowded in her tiny dorm room.

She sighs, her shoulders rising and falling with her breath before she turns around. She presses her back against the door. Her eyes glazed over and a fake small smile on her lips.

“I missed your text⁠—”

“What’s wrong?” Red asks again. More forceful as he steps closer to her but not quite in reach yet.

She gulps and refuses to make eye contact with any of us. “Nothing.”

“Let’s tell the truth, Omega.” Neven’s voice has her snapping her head to look in his direction.

Clear as day, I know it. He’s our lead.

Even clearer, it doesn’t bother me. I’m an alpha, at the end of the day, always. But I’m not a lead. Not all Packs have one, but revealing a lead is like revealing a scent match. It’s just something that clicks into place.

The guys all freeze. Even Neven. My gaze shoots to Red. His scent burns with worry, breathing labored and shoulders hunched forward. That’s two offenses against him now.

“Nothing is fucking easy,” Red mutters as he stares at Neven.

Neven gives him a half shrug and moves his gaze back to the original distressed omega in the room.

“Esper…” Soren’s eyes pin Esper to the door.

She licks her lush lips and nods before looking at the space behind us. “It really is nothing. My friend and I got into a little fight.”

“And it upset you,” Red says, scrunching his eyebrows and squaring his shoulders as if he’s going to go fight this friend.

“Fights do that.” Esper tucks her hair being her ears. “I just needed a moment but I’m ready now. Let’s go have an amazing first Pack date.”

Neven pauses, assessing her. “If you’re sure⁠—”

“I’m sure.” She turns on her heel and opens the door again, grabs her schoolbag, and walks out the door.

“We’ll just… keep an eye out,” Neven says, watching the omega strut down the hall.

“I wanna find this fucking friend,” Red whispers as he follows her out.

“We’ll make sure she’s okay,” Soren confirms, following Red and Neven.

“And do our damnedest to make sure she stays that way,” I mutter, more to myself at this point, closing her door behind me.

CHAPTER 22

ESPER