Page 44 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

This is it. The moment I’ve been dreading. Do I give this a real shot or am I too broken to try? But then, it’s not really a choice, is it? I want Nate and Dez. As for Connor, I’m willing to see if this alpha can redeem himself.

“That’s going to depend on you. You took one look at that text and flew off the handle. You were hurtful with no fucking reason to be, and I won’t allow you to treat me like that again.”

“Good. The fact that I spoke to you like that—” he cuts off, remorse pouring out of him. “I regret it, Daph. If you ever want to tell me, I’ll be here. Until then, I’m going to earn your trust.”

I guess we’ll see about that. “You know, my former alphas are a lot like your ex-wife.”

Connor laughs again, the sound hollow. “I know.”

My heart thumps hard and my feet still. “You read the court case.”

“No.” He squeezes my hand, begging me to listen. “A friend pointed it out. He clarified a lot of things for me.”

Thank fuck. I think it would’ve broken me a little more if Connor had read it when I clearly didn’t want him to.

“My exes were excellent liars too. They constantly put me last, promising they’d make it up to me later. Or blaming me when they were cruel.”

“Daphne.” My name is pained on Connor’s lips.

“I’m not saying you’re like them; I just think you should know that you’re not the only one with baggage.

The difference is, mine’s a hell of a lot fresher and my backbone’s a little stiffer.

So, let me be clear. If you ever speak to me that way again, ever call me a liar or insinuate that I’m a cheater, I will walk away from this relationship no matter what stage we’re in.

” My hands nearly shake, but it feels good to put the boundary down.

“I don’t deserve your accusations, and I won’t be cannon fodder for your emotional damage.

Disrespect me like that again and it’ll be the last time you speak to me, Connor Morgan. ”

I’ve never seen relief like this. It flows from his body, lightening the stress he’s been carrying. “I understand, and I promise, it won’t happen again. It shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”

“You’re right, but I’m choosing to give you another chance anyway. Don’t blow it.” Please don’t hurt me.

“I won’t.”

Despite all the reasons I should walk away, I believe he’s going to try. And so will I, because Nate and Dez feel like pieces of my puzzle. Beautiful additions to the life I’m struggling to carve out for myself. Only time will tell if Connor is too.

We walk a little longer in silence, adjusting to being in each other’s presence again before we turn back to the duplex. The longer we do, Connor stroking the back of my hand with his thumb, the better I feel. My instincts are settling, no longer at war with this potential alpha.

We’re not fixed, not by a long shot, but there’s healing happening and that’s what counts.

Nate’s in the same spot when we return, eyes narrowed on our hands. I feel hope in my chest, with that unique flavor that’s all him. “Have we kissed and made up?”

Connor’s grin is shaky at best. “Daphne’s decided to try and forgive my stupidity, yes.”

“Good.” Nate pulls me into his side for a hug, then does the same to his brother. “Took you long enough to apologize.”

Con looks at me, eyes somber. “It won’t happen again.”

With another great squeeze, Nate lets us go. “Now that you two are sorted, I’ve got to head to the garage for a bit. Didn’t want to go until you got back. You coming, Con?”

“Later. Daphne and I have a bit more to discuss first.”

“We do?”

Nate’s grin gets downright nefarious as he swoops in to kiss my cheek. “Have fun, kitten.”

Connor rolls his eyes, then motions toward my side of the duplex. “After you?”

“We’re not having sex.” Though it wouldn’t be a hardship, I need more time to get over what happened before I let him into my bed or my body. If we ever get to that point. Though makeup sex does sound nice.

“I never said we were.”

“Just wanted to adjust that expectation before you come inside.”

We’re barely inside when Connor notices the boxes littering my living room. In the enclosed space, his scent thickens, and he glares like he wants to burn them all. “What are those? Are you moving?”

As tempted as I am to make him sweat, I don’t want my home smelling like stressed out alpha. “Nesting supplies from Nate.”

Pillows and blankets—with gift receipts to stores nearby so I can exchange them if they don’t feel right—showed up yesterday with a staggering gift card that I immediately tried to give back. None too kindly, at that.

Me

Are you shitting me? Five grand is too much.

Nate

Fifteen thousand wouldn’t be enough. In fact, I’m getting you another one.

Me

WTF? Save your money.

Nate

I have plenty of it, so I’ll spend it where I please.

I mean…Sorry, gift cards are non-refundable. You’re welcome to give them away, but the store won’t take them back and they shouldn’t go to waste.

Me

Them?

Nate

Mmhmm.

I kept the card—both the original and the one that came after, thank you very much—and used every fucking cent.

Connor exhales, slumping in relief. “That’s a great courting gift.”

“It is.”

We don’t discuss my ruined nest, but Nate showed me the group chat.

Even though I’m glad to know the fabric didn’t get destroyed or stolen by some woodland creature needing it for their nest, I won’t bring it back into mine.

I can’t. Those memories are tainted now, but everything in the nest now is new and exactly what I want.

And that’s way better.

Moving into the kitchen, I grab two glasses of water, though I’m too busy watching Connor’s throat bob as he swallows. He sets the glass down carefully, thumbing a drop off his lip with a smirk. “Like what you see?”

Kill me now. Chugging my water so fast I nearly choke, I put on my bravest face. “Speaking of courting.”

He hums, fingers tapping along the counter as he watches me like a hawk. “We can take our time, get back to a comfortable place together?—”

“I don’t want to do that.”

The tapping stops, and he looks at me. “What do you mean?”

“You aren’t the only one working through things. This is mine. I want a slow courtship with Nate and Dez.”

You’d think I just swung for his face, the way this man stares with utter devastation. “Not me?”

I can’t stop my little growl. “You didn’t even ask to court, Connor. The others did, but the second my heat was over, you acted like I was contagious.”

I’m not expecting the absolutely sinful way he looks at me. The way he rounds the corner and crowds my space. How he twirls a damp curl around his finger while he keeps me trapped against the counter. “Is that what you need, angel? A declaration of my intentions.”

He has intentions? This is exactly what I mean. I have no clue what the hell Connor wants.

“It wouldn’t hurt,” I sniff, trying to pretend my body isn’t burning at his proximity.

Stupid fucking hormones. Stupid scent-sympathy. Can’t an omega play it cool in peace?

Connor leans in until his lips brush mine and I have to close my eyes against the sensation. “Daphne Barnes, will you let me court you? Will you let my pack show you what it means to be ours?”

He whispers every word, keeping it between the two of us. My lips tremble, begging me to kiss him, terrified of taking this step. “I’m scared.”

Connor’s scent shifts, guilt creeping out before he presses our cheeks together in the world’s slowest scent mark. “Let’s be scared together. I’ll prove that you can count on me. Until then, we go at your pace.”

Believing him is terrifying. Opening myself up to heartache again feels so dangerous, but I want to. Every cell in my body is begging me to give this pack a chance. Courting is a leap of faith, but if I get this right? The rewards will be so, so worth it.

Please don’t let me regret this.

“Yes.”

Connor pulls back, brows high. “You’re letting us court you?”

“Yes.” Weirdly, it gets easier the more I say it. A little laugh bubbles up that he mirrors. “Yes, I’ll let you court me.”

“Thank fuck.”

He swoops in, pulling me into his arms, kissing my cheek as we laugh and twirl around my kitchen. I can’t help but think this moment is almost perfect. All we’re missing is the rest of our pack.