Page 20 of Knot Gonna Lie

Somewhere deep inside, I needed this—neededhimto take control, so I could finally let go after a long, exhausting day.

Somehow it felt natural—right—being this close to him, instinctively knowing that I would be safe.

Maybe it was the omega in me, or the alpha in him—but I didn’t want to overthink it.

He was mine. I picked him—and no one was going to take him away from me.

Now I had to convince him to skip the formalities and tradition and mark me as his—preferably tonight—forever binding us together. Then, hopefully, his clan was nearby, so I could meet them too and figure out how to form a pack with those around me when the time came.

An alpha needed an omega to help calm their nature and strengthen the bonds of their clan. A bonded pair required the support of their pack, and in return, the clan needed the security that only their claimed alpha could supply.

I just needed us off this station—now. Only he could give me the kind of freedom I craved.

I refused to feel guilty for the alphas I didn’t choose—the ones I hadn’t even given a chance.

Eyes closed, I let myself drift, imagining anywhere but here as he carried me toward his private elevator.

His purr rumbled from deep in his chest, the vibration sinking into me. His scent wrapped around my thoughts, warm and familiar, lulling me toward a blissful sleep. I wanted to forget the chaos and sink into that sound, into him.

I trusted him to take care of me from here on out.

The only thing that kept me awake was my need to leave a good first impression when introducing myself to his waiting clan. We were told that alphas could bring their most trusted clan members, typically unmated, to support their alpha. This allowed the omega to get a feel for the alpha while they were with their clan to make courting plans.

I refused to waste time with some trivial matter when there weren’t any other alphas contending for my neck. Unless the first impression with his clan was horrible, there wasn’t a need. The settling process was something every omega in their new clan had to go through, and it would take time to adjust.

Unfortunately, with my heat so near, it might expedite the whole process. But I was sure that we would deal with it when the time came.

I needed to see where he would take me once he’d been released from his waiting room at The Den.

The sounds from his steps changed from metallic clicks to glass dings as we entered the elevator. Opening my eyes, I was welcomed to his studying me with a heavy-lidded gaze, his dark hair haloed by green lights.

“I still can’t believe it,” he muttered, pressing his nose against my hair and taking a deep breath. “I thought your caretakermight’ve been testing me—seeing how eager I was toward the idea. Perhaps even checking if I was going to trust her word and show up.”

“I’m glad that you did.”

“Me too.” He pulled his head away, his eyes softening as he peered down at me.

Suddenly, he snapped his head toward the doors. The floor jolted as the lift came to a stop and an audible swoosh filled my ears.

“Here we are.”

CHAPTER NINE

LUCA

The next time I found myself alone with her caretaker, I would need to thank her for making this impossible moment real.

I wasn’t clear of the asteroid field yet—borrowing my brother’s identity remained a dangerous gamble. But once my mark claimed her neck and we’d escaped the station’s reach, I’d confess everything. What I’d done might be illegal, but it wasn’t entirely deception.

I was a co-owner of Coco Pharmaceuticals.

Just not the one that they had listed.

When the moment came, I’d pay the fine and reimburse my brother’s tithe. But now, more pressing matters demanded attention—like the omega cradled in my arms.

The moment I stepped into the waiting room, my three betas scrambled to attention, shock and awe painting their faces as they absorbed the vision of blonde perfection in my embrace.

Her fingers toyed with my tie as she curled against my chest, stoking a fierce surge of pride—a protective instinct.