Page 7 of Knot Our Mistake (Knot Ours #1)

CHAPTER

SEVEN

SOPHIA

The edge of my thighs burned from the nearness of James's legs on one side and Leo's on the other. My omega practically purred her contentment, demanding I touch them so fiercely my fingers nearly ached with the need to place my hand on their legs and feel their body heat seep into my palm.

This feeling was new.

My omega was not fond of my other unit, but Bran and Leo, and even James... she wanted me to crawl up in their pallet and surround myself with their scents.

Our alpha does not think he's worthy of us, which only makes him more worthy , my omega cooed.

They mentioned a beta. Maybe he cannot want us when he wants her.

Lies , she hissed before going silent.

"Don't you dare touch that dish," Bran ordered as he jogged into the kitchen. They had said their goodbyes to their mothers in private, probably discussing what they should do about me while I was out of earshot. "You cooked, we'll clean up."

"I didn't cook this all. Only some," I admitted. "I am capable of cleaning."

"That casserole was the best damn thing I've ever tasted. Take a seat, omega." When I didn't immediately move, he pulled out a chair and pointed at it. I slowly sat, earning me a hum of approval before Bran added, "Good girl."

That little bit of praise turned my body to lava. My previous unit never dared compliment me on anything, let alone while using such an affectionate tone. But Bran was unaware that I was on fire a few feet away as he ran the plates under water and loaded them in the dishwasher.

He caught me watching him, and he winked. "Let me know if you want me to flex, omega."

We want you to flex, my omega replied, but I ignored her, changing the subject instead. "Will I be sent back?"

He froze for a moment before continuing his motion of doing dishes. "I – I can't honestly say for sure, omega. But now that the mystery of how you ended up on our front porch is solved, maybe James will relax a little."

I swallowed hard. "Do you want me to leave?"

"Absolutely not," Leo walked into the kitchen. "And I don't care what our alpha says, he doesn't either."

I wish I could believe that, but from the moment I arrived here yesterday, he made his thoughts on me clear. "I can be useful. I promise I can."

I can cook. I can clean. I could garden.

If given the chance, I too could get muddy and help in cattle emergencies.

I had done it my whole life until I was enrolled in the Omega Industries.

This farm was more home than the skyrise in the city, and if James just let me prove my worth, I promise I could be worth keeping.

But I didn't say any of that because the broody alpha in question entered the room, his brows pulled together, frustration clear on his face.

"Well, that went well," Leo beamed at the alpha.

"It was a shit show." He locked eyes with me for the barest of moments. "Sorry for the language."

"I don't think it was that bad," Bran tried to smooth over the situation.

"Our mothers schemed against us, purchased us an omega, and didn't even tell us. Surprise! Here's your hand-picked by us mate, enjoy! Out of principle, I absolutely can't..."

My stomach sank.

"Alpha," Leo barked, getting his attention, sensing where the conversation was going.

"What?"

"She stays. At least for now. You may think that you can't enjoy a female picked by your mother, but that doesn't stand for Bran and me. No omega in our care is going to be made to feel less for what she is, that includes even by you."

"I didn't say-" James tried to argue before he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "You're right. You can stay, omega, until other arrangements are made, of course."

"Alpha..."

"Alright," he growled. "You and Bran can have a trial period. A month.Then maybe I’ll reconsider. But I want nothing to do with it or any other scheme our mothers concoct. Excuse me, I have cows that need to be fed and eggs to collect."

He stormed past us before pulling on his boots right next to the door.

The room remained silent until he slammed the door behind him; then Bran turned to me.

"He'll change his mind, of course; he's just stubborn.

In his mind, this is the equivalent of an arranged marriage.

Which, if you think about it, is sort of what obtaining an omega is.

But..." He blew out a breath of air. "Just give him time.

He'll come around, and you'll love it here, I promise. "

Loving it here was never a question for me.

I loved it from the moment I saw the wrap-around porch, but I couldn't love a home wholly when my unit had no interest in me.

My main purpose, my only purpose in this life once I blossomed into an omega, was to please an alpha.

To give him anything he asked for. To produce his heir.

To take his knot until you're hoarse from screaming , my omega chimed in.

"You alright, honey?" Bran's smoky scent invaded my senses as he knelt in front of me, his palm finding my knee, only heating my body further. "You're looking a little flushed."

"I- I-..." I stumbled over my words, "I was just thinking is all."

"I bet I'd love to be inside that pretty little head of yours," Leo tossed his towel on the table.

"We've got chores to do, but do you think you'll be up to having a late lunch with us later?

" He reached to my face, taking a strand of hair that had fallen loose from my braid and tucked it behind my ear.

"I'll bring some sandwiches from this cute little shop in town.

Does that sound good? And maybe one day soon, after you're settled and.

.. Well, I can bring you to town with me. "

Claimed. Claimed. Claimed . The delta wants your neck to bear his mark.

Would that be so bad? How could it when so far Bran and Leo had been kinder to me than my whole previous unit the entire time I'd lived there? Would I be okay settling for just the delta and the beta when it was the alpha my omega stubbornly craved?

Give him time , I repeated Leo's words. Yeah, I'd give him time. Prove to him I could be all that he wanted. Show him I wasn't a wilting flower but a useful body that could manage the operations of this farm as good as any of the men, if not better.

Yeah, we'll give our alpha tim e, my omega repeated, and we'll have him craving us, begging us, knotting us.

That wasn't exactly what I was thinking, but my omega was bolder than I was, more willing to take what she wanted, and if she wanted that alpha's knot, I had no doubt in my mind that she'd take it.

A slow smile curled my lips as my plans began to take shape on how exactly I'd get my alpha to want me. Then, I nodded my head at Leo, "Sandwiches would be great."

"Yeah?" His face lit up, and his happiness made my omega rumble with pleasure. He may not be her alpha, but she sure did enjoy her delta and beta too.

"Yes."

"That's... Thank you."

"You're thanking me?" I asked, confused.

"Yes. For letting me take care of you, omega. It's my job. Our job, really," he explained.

"Well, I guess it's time I take care of you too." I leaned over, giving his cheek a simple kiss. "Let me help with your chores today. It will go faster."

"I-" He looked around, uncertain. "The alpha would not approve."

I deflated. I wanted to help them. Wanted to please them.

Wanted them to keep me. But before I could voice it, if I could have even gathered the courage to do so, Bran spoke up.

"You can help in the garden. It's not much work to be done, maybe some harvesting and pruning, so we'll be done in plenty of time for lunch. "

"You mean it?"

"Of course, honey. Go get dressed," he walked toward me, took my hand, and pulled. "We've got carrots to pull."