Page 98 of Knot Only For One Night

When the man said class, he really meant class. At the front of the room, the man leans in front of a desk with a whiteboard behind it. In the rest of the room sit rows of desks with two chairs at each table. No one sits. Everyone leans against different parts of the room. Soren, being last to arrive, leans against the table closest to the door. Even when I try to get down from his arms, he locks them, keeping me tight against him. I try not to be embarrassed, being so affectionate in front of men I don't know.

But if this is what Soren needs, then so be it. He just defended my honor, he can have whatever he wants. Holding his head to my shoulder, I play with his hair a bit as I stare at the back of the classroom.

“What’s going on?” No one makes a move to answer the man at the front of the room. I feel the want to, but I slam my lips shut. I’m not even facing the man, let alone the one he’s even talking to.

Apparently tired of waiting, the man sighs. “Red.”

Reed stands right next to us, so I can actually see him. He shrugs, eyes meeting mine for a quick second before he looks away. “Rules are rules.”

“Where does beat the shit out of each other fit in with our rules?”

“Under Respect Each Other, Packs and All.”

“And how did your unbonded Pack fall under that?”

I don’t like that comment, nor does my omega. I force my way down from my beta’s arms and spin to meet the gaze of the man. He raises his eyebrows at me, but I just raise mine back. Unsure where I got the will to fight.

Reed sidles up next to me. “Esper.” I ignore him, like they ignored me mere moments ago.

My voice carries easily through the large but mostly empty room. “Unbonded or not, our intentions are clear.”

“But that doesn’t change the fact that no bonds means no Pack.”

“It’s called courting, isn’t it? They are my courting Pack,” I say and he just stares at me. Those green eyes laser right through me, cutting down my will to fight with each second. “I’m not saying fighting is okay, but don’t try to denounce my Pack just because we are respecting each other and waiting ’til the time is right.

“Anyway. You may proceed.” I shrink back against Soren as much as I can. He slides his arms over my shoulder, leaning on me. His busted knuckles clasp my hands and as much as I hate seeing him hurt, our hands together almost look poetic. He kisses the top of my head. “Thanks, Trouble.”

The man watches for another moment, then speaks. “Regardless. Beating on a prospect to that manner is not in the rules, and fights must be approved ahead of time. This is an MC, not a jailhouse.” The man clasps his hands behind his back. “Red, what do you think the punishment should be?”

Cyclops sighs, muttering under his breath, his face bloody and nearly unrecognizable.

Red turns to face us in the back, eyes moving between Soren and the prospect. “Cleaning duty. For a week. For the both of you.”

“Are you fucking serious? This is bullshit!” Cyclops yells.

“Or you can leave?” Reed scoffs and Cyclops closes his lips. Staring at Reed then at Soren, then at the other man who by now I assume is President.

… Meaning Reed’s dad.

“Fuck this shit. I’m leaving.” Cyclops stands and kicks his chair over.

The man—the Prez—lets out one booming laugh. “Good, ’cause you weren’t allowed to stay. I heard the Eastern Outlaws are looking for members. Try that shit over there.”

Cyclops doesn’t deign to respond, slamming his way out of the room and from the building.

Silence falls over us. Like taking off a mask, the Prez breaks out into a smile I would have never guessed his face could possibly make.

“Hello, Omega, I’m Ace. Reed’s dad. Nice to meet the omega who Packed up my son.”

I stare at his outstretched hand for a moment. Though I figured out this was Reed's dad, the rapid personality switching is taking me a moment to process.

“I don’t bite as much as you do, sweetheart.” He chuckles and even Neven laughs as I gingerly reach my hand out to shake his.

“It’s… it’s great to meet you, sir.”

“Ace is fine, darlin’.”

“Ace,” I say and he sits up on the desk.