Page 82 of Knot Going Down

“He never forgave me for not bonding her, too,” Declan goes on. “It nearly wrecked us. Actually, no. Itdidwreck us, and it fucking destroyed him.”

I shift in the dark. “What happened?”

“We were on a stakeout. Arguing. Distracted. He stormed off, and I followed him. There were gunshots, I took cover, and when everything cooled down, he was dead.”

He says it like he's listing inventory. Like that story lives in a sealed box at the back of his mind, opened only under duress.

I let out a low whistle. “Jesus. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, you should be. It was probably one of your friends who shot him. We were watching Glenn.”

My gut twists. Declan’s vendetta and his cold distance make more sense now.

“Would it help if I told you I’ve never killed anyone? Never even held a gun?”

“No.”

“Well, this is progress, no?” Lucas says gently. “At least you understand each other better. You know, there is a chapter in my imaginary Beta Handbook that might be helpful.Betas in Therapy, with Bonus Worksheets.I can copy the worksheets for you. Such good boys, making nice.”

He’s clearly trying to lighten the mood, but the heaviness in the air lingers.

“I swore I’d never mess around with an omega again,” Declan says. The silence stretches—long and quiet—until there’s a faint, almost apologetic sound from him. “I don’t date alphas either. Kyle ripped my heart out. I can’t replace him.”

“Perhaps you are not meant to replace him, but to honor him,” Lucas offers softly.

“How’s that?”

“By letting yourself be happy.”

“Iamhappy,” Declan says quietly. Adding a beat later, “With Emily.”

My breath catches. I feel the weight of his admission like a warm hand pressed over my chest.

Lucas is silent, giving him space.

“Lucas,” Declan adds, “I need you to promise me something. If her heat hits hard—I mean,reallyhits—I don’t want to risk breaking their boundaries. I need you to stop me if I lose control. No bites. No bonds. No one walks out of this room marked, got it?”

I get the sense he’s talking to me now, too. “Got it boss.” I salute in the dark even though he can’t see me. “Your pretty ass is the only one I’ll bite.”

“Don’t you fucking dare.”

“Ah, the hippopotamus in the room.” Lucas murmurs.

Elephant in the room. The expression is definitely about an elephant in the room, but I don’t correct him, cause it’s kinda cute.

“We talked about boundaries with the girls. But the two of you clearly have chemistry,” Lucas says.

“Chemistry means shit.” Declan shifts, blankets rustling in the dark.

“I happen to think chemistry counts for a lot.” I stretch lazily and earn myself a kick from Gunner. “Don’t you think so, Lucas?”

“I think it is hard to ignore.” Lucas hums. “And it will get harder in a full heat. You will want to fuck. Ava. Emily. Each other.”

“You,” I say. “Can I fuck you, Lucas?”

“I would very much like that.” I can hear the grin in his voice.

Declan growls. “I don’t know how I’m going to handle this. When Ava and Emily kissed, it was the hottest damn thing I’ve ever seen. And the thought of Lucas with the girls…” He makes a low noise of appreciation. “But Knox, you’re an alpha. And I’m territorial as hell. I might punch you if you make a move on what’s mine.”