Page 52 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

DEZ

As much as I want to see Daph, I can’t blow off my sister again without risking the entirety of my family coming down on our heads. Or worse, our house.

Never should’ve given them a key.

On the outskirts of Seaport, Soleil is a beacon of color. The forest is a beautiful backdrop to the mural I painted of my sister years ago. The gym is my brother-in-law’s baby, and even though Marisol helps when she’s off duty, Sam wanted her with him all the time.

It was grossly cute before, but I understand on a deeper level now. It’s why I keep a sketch of Daphne in my pocket and her photo on my lock screen. Being able to see her even when she’s not around soothes the sharpest edges of my instincts. My fixation.

After parking next to Sol’s hot pink jeep, I swing my gym bag over one shoulder, waving to familiar faces as I head in. As expected, I find my sister at the squat rack. Long, black curls pulled back, skin a deep umber like our dad and a Seaport Fire Department shirt straining against her muscles.

Sol’s been on the crew for years, and though no one’s more capable, her job scares the shit out of me. Sometimes I wake up absolutely panicked that she’s trapped somewhere on a call, and I can’t get back to sleep until I know she’s okay.

Brown eyes meet mine at the top of her squat and she backs up to re-rack. “There he is. The elusive brother, back again.”

Fucking dramatics. “I miss one week, and you act like I’ve moved without telling you.”

“Uh, you kinda did,” Sam says from where he’s watching Sol’s form nearby.

They backstage at his final bodybuilding competition, one my sister only entered because she lost a bet. The moment she walked in, he knew she was the one. Sol left with a trophy and Sam left with her number. Four years later, they’re bonded and happy.

I’ve been jealous that it was so easy for my siblings to find love, but now I know the timing wasn’t right. Daphne wasn’t ready and neither was the pack. Now that we are, there’s nothing stopping me from keeping my omega.

Sam re-racks the bar and I hug Sol, popping a kiss on her head. “Sorry I dropped off the map.”

“I forgive you.”

My head cocks, eyes narrowing. My sister is a lot of things, but benevolent isn’t one of them. Sam turns away, but I catch the look on his face. Guilt. Straight up, undeniable guilt.

“What did you do?” She gives me this over-the-top innocent look, fluttering eyelashes included, but I shut it down. “Spill it, Sol.”

“ Fiiiine . I told Mama about your girlfriend.”

The gears in my head grind to a full stop. She didn’t. She wouldn’t.

I want to grill her about how she even knows anything other than we’re seeing someone , but there’s only one explanation.

Nate motherfucking Morgan.

Normally, Mama can pry the man’s secrets out with his favorite snack and a kind word, but this isn’t a new car he’s excited about or a show he’s dying to enter. It’s our omega. He was probably dying to spill the beans while we were driving to Revelry.

I get it, I do, but the irritation that’s been building since that dinner rises and it’s hard to stop from snapping. “We were hoping to tell you all together, but that’s not an option now, is it?”

“I’m sorry! Mama got on Sam and me about babies again and I didn’t have the heart to tell her we’re not interested.”

“So you blabbed about the omega I just fucking found?! Seriously, Marisol. Daphne’s barely agreed to court us and you’re siccing Mama on her.” My jaw aches as I force each word out.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. Mama’s not going to meet her yet.” Sol rolls her eyes, and I desperately wish we were younger, so I could chuck her in a pool or something. As it is, I may have to sneak attack her coffee maker with decaf when she’s not looking.

Calling Mama overbearing is putting it lightly.

She loves hard, fast and fierce, with little to no boundaries.

She’s an amazing person, but with Daphne’s acceptance of the pack so fragile, I’m worried pushing too fast sends her running.

She’s predisposed to it not just through her designation but her past, and I’m not willing to risk losing Daph when we just found fucking her.

“This is your fault. You’re supposed to tell her when she’s making a terrible decision.” I glare at Sam, but he’s an unrepentant dick, arms crossed beside his wife.

“No, I’m supposed to hand her the match and take the blame so she doesn’t end up in jail.”

“Aw. Thanks, baby.” Sol swoons. Fucking swoons while I’m losing my mind.

“This is so fucked.” Growling under my breath, I let myself pace, hoping to bleed off some energy. Now would be a good time to get our workout in. I bet I’ll beat every personal record.

“I’m sorry, D. I should’ve told her we’re not interested.” Sol droops and whatever anger I had withers away on the vine. I’m not interested in berating my sister and it’s not her place to keep my secrets.

“Why haven’t you?”

Sol’s known she didn’t want kids since she was one. She gives me this baleful look. “You know what it’s like disappointing Mama. I don’t want her upset with me.”

Damn. It’s hard to stay mad when family’s struggling. “She wouldn’t care, Sol. Mama just wants us to be happy.”

“You can say that because you don’t have a uterus, but when you do and you’re married to that—” she motions toward Sam, who grins, “—someone always wants you to get pregnant and pop out babies. I just want to fight fires and fuck my hot ass husband wherever I want.”

“Please never tell me about your sex life again,” I beg, gagging.

“Help me get Mama off my back and I won’t.”

“Pretty sure I already did.” Again, that guilty look comes over Sol’s face and I fold like a fucking chair. “I’ll talk to Mama about Daphne. You too, if you want.”

She waves me away with a limp hand, gaze downturned. “No, I’ll handle it. Eventually.”

Sam steps between us, rubbing his hands together like some shitty ass cartoon villain. “Now that you’re done, it’s time to work out. We’re starting with burpees.”

Ugh. “I fucking hate you.”

He grins. “I know.”

I try not to think about Daphne or Mama as we fall into the workout Sam dictates.

Even though it’s only been a few days, I’ve missed doing this with my sister.

Sports were never my thing, but I’ve always enjoyed the endorphin rush from moving my body.

Enjoy testing myself and feeling the power in my muscles.

And if I want to work harder so my omega has something to ogle, who’s going to stop me?

Almost two hours later, Sol and I are drenched in sweat, chests heaving as we cool off on the mats. Our water bottles lay next to us, refilled thanks to Sam now that he’s finished being a drill sergeant.

It takes a while, but eventually, she breaks. “Tell me about her. Please. ”

“Will you keep it to yourself?”

“Yes,” she swears.

“What has Nate told you?”

Marisol crosses her arms. “You’d know if you unmuted the group chat.”

“If I did, I wouldn’t have time for anything else.”

“He’s not wrong.” Sam laughs as Sol pulls out her phone.

“According to Nate, ‘She’s amazing. Seriously, she’s so pretty and smart and kind. She’s funny, and she makes the most beautiful lingerie. Have I mentioned she’s pretty? Sooooo pretty. You’re going to love her.’ ”

My god, he’s fucking gone for her. Not that I’m much better. I’m damn near frothing at the mouth to be close to her after almost a week apart.

“She’s all that and more,” I say, deciding to give them all the news at once. “We’re scent-sympathetic.”

Sam whistles, and Marisol flops her head toward me with wide eyes. “Mama’s going to shit a brick.”

“Yep.”

Sol fiddles with the edge of her shorts, frowning. “Is it different this time?”

Though she’s an alpha, my sister’s never been interested in omegas. She and Sam are scent-sympathetic, so I assume she’s just curious if Daphne’s designation changes anything.

Looking back at all the people I know who’ve found their scent matches and my own history, I’m confident in my answer. “It’s like what you and Sam have. What Levi has with Omar.”

“Mama and Pop,” Sol says softly, smile brimming with joy.

“Exactly. Daph’s the best. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

“So, why are you keeping her away from us?”

My omega’s history is her own to divulge, but if I don’t give Marisol something, she’ll never stop. “She’s had a hard time with her ex-pack, so we’re taking it slow.”

“She’s bonded?” Sam asks, frowning.

“No.”

Sol’s expression drops with horror. “How long?”

“Too long.”

My sister swears, and I feel her anger on Daphne’s behalf.

Despite not being interested in an omega of her own, Marisol knows what we all do.

Packing up with an omega and not offering her a bite is negligence, plain and simple.

It would be one thing if she’d asked to wait like Shelby did, but that’s not the case .

Daph said as much at dinner. She asked for years .

The second Daph even hints at wanting a bond, I’ll be first in line to sink my teeth in. Just thinking about it has my heart racing and I check the clock. “I have to go.”

As if she heard me, my phone chimes with a text from my omega.

Daphne

Looking forward to seeing you today.

“Oh, that must be her. Look at his goofy face,” Sol crows.

I don’t even care. Stuffing everything into my bag, I grab my sister into a hug. “Love you.”

It’s second nature to mess up her hair again, darting away before she can swipe her claws at me. “Love you too. Have fun with Daph. We’ll get all the details from Nate later.”

No matter how old they are, sisters are the worst.

My heart pounds the entire way home. Just because staying away was the right thing to do doesn’t mean it’s been easy.

Silence gave my fears an echo chamber to scream in.

Yet, all that turmoil goes away when I see Daphne bouncing on her toes in the grass of our duplex, wearing a shirt that bares one shoulder and the length of her legs. A shirt that’s definitely not hers.