Dakota shoots Alex the middle finger. “Fuck off.”
I can’t help but laugh—but the sound barely leaves me before my brain hijacks the moment and takes it hostage.
Is our pack too immature to claim an omega?
What if our new mate walks in and sees this chaos and thinks we’re a bunch of overgrown children? Will she enjoy our banter or find it obnoxious? And what about our home—no cooks, no maids, no gardeners? Just us, a half-decent house, and a fridge that somehow always smells like someone left a curse in it.
Omegas are usually claimed by alphas with estates. Staff. Money. Stability. We don’t even own matching kitchen chairs.Shit.
What if she thinks we’re not serious?
What if she thinksI’mnot serious?
What if I open my mouth and say something weird and ruin everything before it even starts?
“Tadeo.”
Knox says my name with his pack alpha edge, all clipped authority. My spine snaps straight like I’ve been called into formation. “Stop worrying,” he says in his most stern tone. “That’s an order.”
I give him a forceful nod, but then frown the second he turns around.
Fucking stop it, I tell myself as I move to follow my pack.Trust Knox. Everything will be okay.
We quickly fall in step, moving through the woods. For a while, I only hear the sound of boots crunching twigs andDakota’s sneakers sliding on wet leaves. Knox and Alex walk ahead, all worn denim and heavy footsteps, shoulders broad and casual, like this is any other walk through the forest. I trail behind them, the weight of my leather boots sinking into the forest floor with every step. My navy polo feels too stiff, too clean. I feel overdressed for something that might turn out to be a cattle market in disguise.
“Hey, Knox?” Alex speaks up, breaking the quiet. His voice is light—too light. I already know that tone. It’s the one he uses right before he starts poking the bear.
Knox doesn’t respond, but I see his jaw tighten.
Alex presses on anyway. “What if she doesn’twantto wait to?—”
Knox snaps his head, narrowing his eyes at Alex. “Seriously?” His voice is low, clipped. “We’ve been over this.”
“I know,” Alex says quickly, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I’m not saying we push anything—obviously. I’m…thinking out loud.”
“We arewaitingto rut her,” Knox says each word deliberately. His tone doesn’t rise, but there’s steel behind it. He made this clear a few days ago—physical affection comes second to our new mate’s comfort. Period.
“And I totally respect that,” Alex adds, grinning like he’s not pushing at all—sincerelywondering…hypothetically. But we all know him too well. He’s desperately trying to get Knox to budge. “All I’m saying is,ifshe’s the one who initiates something first, if shewantsto be touched…I mean, who are we to say no?”
Knox exhales sharply through his nose. Not quite a sigh, not quite a growl. “I sincerely doubt she wants to be rutted in a muddy tent in the middle of the damn woods.”
Alex opens his mouth, but Knox cuts him off before he canget another word in.
“If, by some miracle, she asks to be claimed,” Knox says, pushing a branch out of his way a little harder than necessary, “you and Tadeo are going to the river. Wait there until I say otherwise.”
Alex’s mouth drops open like Knox personally insulted him. “Seriously?”
“Youknowhe’s right,” I say before the red-haired alpha can start whining. “The second her pheromones hit the air, and they’re all mixed with Knox’s? It’ll be hell. For her and for us. Downwind is safer.”
Alex’s jaw shifts, his lips pressing into a tight, stubborn line. He doesn’t want to admit it, but he knows we’re right.
“It won’t matter anyway,” Knox mutters, stepping over a fallen log. Then he reaches out to help Dakota, but the spry beta jumps up, making it over in one smooth motion. “I’m sure she’s going to be exhausted and overstimulated. She’s going to want to eat and sleep. We’ll handle bondingafterwe get home.”
Alex nods, mumbling a quick, “You’re right.” Then he thankfully lets it go.
We walk the rest of the way in silence, aside from Dakota’s shoes slipping over loose stones. Finally, the trees gradually thin—then all at once, the forest breaks.
We step into a wide clearing surrounded by thick concrete barriers and stern betas wearing tactical gear with guns slung over their shoulders. They scan each of us as we pass. Knox and Alex stare them down, but Dakota inches away, pushing into my side. I wrap my arm around his shoulders, trying to ease his worry as we make our way toward the makeshift entrance.
