Page 5 of Knot Your Kismet

“Thank—” A familiar scent cuts off my words of appreciation. What the hell? I don’t know who it belongs to, but I have smelled this man before.

Joseph grabs my hand and pulls me closer, stepping in front of me. “Cali, go to the car and wait for me.”

I ignore him and peer toward the end of the building. My feet can’t find the way to follow his instructions.

“I said go.” Joseph shocks me by pushing his jacket aside to reveal a weapon.

My eyes widen as he pulls it from its sheath, the gun gleaming under the streetlamp.

“Calista, tell the alpha to stand down. We are not a threat.” I can’t see the alpha, but I know he’s close by.

Joseph’s eyes narrow. “You had someone spying on us? No one was supposed to know about the situation except for you, me, and Ivy.”

I take another step back, putting space between us. “We didn’t tell anyone. I don’t know them.”

“Just go to your car, asshole. This isn’t about you. Just get out of here, and we’ll forget anything we heard.” Another voice comes from behind Joseph, and I cover my mouth with my hand, watching as a figure materializes nearby, a similar weapon in his hand.

Joseph raises his hands. “I don’t want any trouble. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”

The guy steps closer. “Just get out of here.”

Joseph doesn’t hesitate. He leaves me standing alone on the sidewalk.

My heart pounds so hard that I feel as if it might explode.

I feel as if I will die at any second.

Because who are they?

Why are they here?

4

Pack Kismet

Jensen

She doesn’t recognize me. How the hell doesn’t she recognize me? It’s only been a couple of years, and I don’t think I have changed that much. Calista obviously has. And damn. It makes all of this even harder. How the hell am I supposed to break the news to her? I can’t even process it myself.

“Calista.” My voice cracks saying her name, watching the confusion and fear mar her beautiful features. Her dark hair hangs in loose curls, longer than before, and her cheekbones blush, more prominent with her slimmer jawline. Her eyes shine the same radiant blue color. I could never forget them. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’m Jensen.”

Calista doesn’t respond, her cerulean eyes remaining wide. It makes me question whether I said the words out loud.

“Jensen Kismet,” I huff, waiting for the spark of realization to hit her expression. It shouldn’t bother me that she doesn’t recognize me. We never spent much time together, because my father kept us apart. She might not know, but we were a scent match. Me and my two brothers. But packs aren’t allowed to have two omegas, and it would have been unfathomable, considering her mom was married to my dad.

God. Thinking about them stirs an ache in my heart. I can’t believe I have to be the one to tell her that they’re gone. It’s so surreal. I just talked to Dad yesterday. He wanted me to research other Omega Resorts. He didn’t say why, but he wanted Calista out of this one. After seeing her with that alpha, I think I know why. This sanctuary was using her. There’s no way Calista would have ever willingly been with that man. He was old enough to be her father, and not to mention she looked so uncomfortable. Plus, I saw him hand her money.

“Do you remember me?” I ask, stepping closer. I glance behind her, making sure the alpha fucker is long gone. I don’t trust him not to come back, so I need Calista to come with me. I don’t want to tell her the bad news here on this sidewalk.

Actually, I don’t want to tell her at all.

“Where’s my mom? Did she send you for me? Ivy said she would host them for dinner.” Calista wrings her hands together.

I remain expressionless, keeping my gaze shifted away from hers. I worry she’ll see it in my eyes if she has a chance to capture my stare. I haven’t even had a chance to process anything. It’s my job as an heir to get our pack through this devastation, and Calista is still part of Pack Kismet.

“Calista… I need you to come with me.” I extend my hand to her, hoping she doesn’t argue. “It’s important.”

She stares at my proffered hand without taking it. Her shimmery bottom lip trembles. The avoidance of answering her question triggers her anxiety. I can smell it morphing her subtle scent, one she obviously blocks with a blocker lotion. It brings me back to the first day we met. She had a lot of anxiety when she came to Pack Kismet. Not that I can blame her. Her birth pack was atrocious. They allowed their leader to commit monstrous acts against her mother, Jess. She still had fading bruises when Dad brought them home. Calista seemed so small hiding behind her mom, despite her only being a few years younger than me. I can see it vividly in my mind. She was shaking so badly that she clung to the fabric of her colorful tulle dress. The bow on the back looked like fluttering wings when she ran to hide in a coat closet when Dad tried to introduce me and my two brothers to her for the first time.