Page 70 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

“I don’t want my slick on my friends. They didn’t consent and we’re not that fucking close.” Pointing to the sink again, I growl. “ Wash.”

He pouts, but does it, only to do it again, just in case. His expression clears when I dry his hand, only to trail my face across it, making sure there’s not a speck of skin that doesn’t smell like me.

“Sorry,” he says softly. The crackling intensity of his energy settles. “It was an instinct thing, but that doesn’t make it okay. It won’t happen again.”

“Thank you.” I let him pull me into his arms, feeling his sincerity. “While we’re at it, no more fucking around them—in person or on the phone. It was hot, but I feel weird about it now.”

Connor’s ears pink adorably as he flushes. “I can respect that.”

Dez knocks on the doorframe, leaning in for a slow kiss. “I see our pack lead’s been put in place. Does that mean you’re ready to face the masses? Because Travi’s crew just arrived.”

Grinning, I pull them both down the hall. “Absolutely.”

Two hours later, the ladies and I sit around one of the long picnic tables, drinks in hand. When I tried to protest getting shoved out of the kitchen, Nate silenced me with a kiss that made my toes numb. “We’re handling everything. Just relax and enjoy your time together.”

I’ll admit, it’s been incredible. Anytime I’ve looked at Connor, he’s come to check if I need anything. The second I miss Nate, he’s there, asking for a kiss or rubbing my shoulder. When the clouds cover the sun, Dez whips out a hoodie, dropping it over my head without tangling my curls.

There’s never been a time where I’ve felt this in-tune with another person before, let alone three. And my friends are the icing on top of it all.

As expected, Travi fits in beautifully with Kai, Mellie and Lacey, but her omega is also a fucking delight. Witty, dry, and so god damn sarcastic. My face hurts from smiling as Erin tells us stories from when the alphas courted her and Travi together.

In no time at all, it feels like these women have always been around and whenever I look over at Travi, she looks like she’s seconds away from crying.

“Ignore her,” Erin says with a fond pat to her wife’s thigh. “She’s an emotional lightweight.”

“Oh, we’ve got one of those, too.” Lacey nudges an indignant Mellie, laughing when she sulks.

By the time the food’s done, we’re all a little tipsy. Nate grabs a plate first, filling it from the table they’ve piled high. It’s not until I see what he’s choosing that I realize he’s doing it for me.

Watching the man I’m falling for pick out the best cut of meat and the perfect scoop of mac and cheese is such a small, unexpectedly emotional thing.

Nate avoids the crispy bits of the casserole because he knows I don’t like them and piles a second plate with strawberries because I eat them all the time. And he’s not the only one.

While he’s on dinner duty, Connor gets me a water and a soda, because I always have two drinks, and Dez grabs a small plate with two Petit Fours because I prefer dessert before dinner. All without me lifting a finger or uttering a word.

Mellie nods in approval, nearly gloating as they dote on me, but Lacey watches with unrestrained desire. Not for the men, but for the action. The affection and intimacy they’re offering.

A couple years ago, after far too much wine and disappointment, we decided to forgo alphas and be platonic wives.

Plans were made to build a home together and foster a bunch of kids.

We figured we’re both queer, we’re both desperate to be moms, and we love each other enough to get through the hard days as a team. Not a bad place to start, right?

Not long after, I left Pack Parker, and we thought that would be our life. But things change. Now, I’ve got a pack that looks better by the day, but Lacey’s still alone. No heat to be seen, no love prospects in the wings, and no bestie to grow old beside.

It breaks my fucking heart watching her wish she could have this and knowing it may not happen.

While the rest of the guys get plates for their partners, Gabriele, Erin and Travi’s alpha, grabs food for her and Mellie.

He sets it carefully in front of them, sitting beside Lacey so the two can talk quietly.

When she looks away, eyes glimmering just a touch, he pats her hand and whispers something that makes her smile.

“Good?” Dez whispers, hand settling on my thigh. He nearly shoved Connor out of the way to get a seat next to me, forcing our pack lead to talk to Casey and Erin, but I’m glad. His grounding presence is exactly what I need.

I clear away the tears that threaten and pop a sunny smile on my face. “Absolutely.”

“You’re lying.”

“Obviously, but this isn’t the time to discuss it.”

He watches me for a long time before finally nodding. “Are you having fun other than whatever this is?”

Dez looks so uncharacteristically nervous that I have to kiss him. “I am. You did amazing.”

Just spending time with my friends has been hard with how much I’m working at Nymph. Building a storefront isn’t for the faint of heart and they’re just as focused on their careers. It means so much to me that the pack made today a priority.

“I’m glad.” Dez turns back to Valentino with this charming smile that I want to see him wear more.

Dinner conversation is casual and comfortable, with the guys adding bites of their food to my plate when I’m distracted. But the second I drop my napkin on the plate, all hell breaks loose.

“Can we start the interrogation now?” Mellie’s evil grin spikes my blood pressure.

Travi rubs her hands together. “Oh, I can’t wait for this.”

“No interrogations,” I groan.

“Go ahead, Mel,” Kai says at the same time.

Damn it. We all know she’s going to listen to Kai over me.

I look to Maverick for help, but he just shakes his head. “You knew this was coming.”

True, I just hoped they’d be too drunk or full to really give it their all. My mistake.

Dez slips an arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “It’s okay, Daph. We’ve got nothing to hide.”

Mellie’s eyes narrow, obviously ready to challenge that. “Tell us about your former omega.”

“No.” The word cracks out, startling everyone. Travi and Erin sit back with smug looks while the alphas exchange worried glances. “You can ask about their jobs, their families and their goals for the future, but that’s off-limits.”

“It’s okay, Daph,” Connor says. “We’ll answer.”

“No.” I turn to Mellie, who looks more defiant than ever. “There are limits, Mel. This is one of them.”

I’m prepared for an argument, maybe even a battle, but she restrains herself. “I just want to know if it’s over.”

“It is,” Dez promises. Mel can’t see the shudder in his body, but I feel it. Straight up scent-turning revulsion at the idea of getting back with Connor’s ex.

After a long moment of sizing Dez up, Mellie moves to Connor. “Are you going to treat her right?”

He flinches and I want to throw a roll at her face. My hand itches for it before Nate traps my hand to his thigh. Damn it.

Connor straightens in his seat, looking as earnest as I know he is. “We’re doing our best. I’ve obviously fucked that up already, but Daphne’s been very patient with me. I’m grateful for the chance to fix things.”

“Why am I not surprised he’s the problem child?” Travi mutters. Erin pinches her side, and she yelps, nearly jumping into Valentino’s lap. “Damn, babe.”

“ Shut up ,” her omega hisses.

“Tell us about your business,” Lacey cuts in, obviously no longer willing to let Mellie run the show. “What are your aspirations?”

Nate answers, thumb smoothing across my skin. “Originally, it was to take it as far as we could go, but I think we’re happy where we are as long as we can support ourselves and our staff. They deserve to live comfortably for all they do.”

“What about the time commitment? Having an omega is a round-the-clock affair, and owning your own business can be the same.”

Connor straightens. “We’ve taken steps to ensure our schedules are more flexible now that Daph’s here. It’s a work in progress, but I’m optimistic that things will get better once we find our footing.”

Interesting. No one mentioned shifting their schedule to accommodate me. I wonder if that’s Connor’s secret. If so, I’m glad he hasn’t told me yet because I’m not sure how I feel. These men shouldn’t have to uproot their lives for me.

Then again, Pack Morgan is all-in with this relationship. Shifting schedules is a small thing for them.

“And the house?” Kai asks. “A duplex isn’t exactly omega-friendly.”

“Seriously, Kai?” Is this her version of sitting on the porch with a shotgun because if so, I’d like to die right about now.

Maverick drops his napkin onto the table. “Actually, I want to hear this, too.”

Dez leans into me as he responds. “We have a pack house about fifteen minutes away, but we’re not sold on keeping it. Where we live will be up to Daphne because her comfort is our priority.”

“Even if it means renovating a duplex into one big house?” Maverick asks. “That’s a serious undertaking.”

There’s something sneaky in Dez’s smile. “Even then. We may have a few ideas on that front already.”

That’s it. My little omega heart explodes.

Lacey leans back, satisfied. “Tell us about your families.”

“Oh, I can help with that,” Travi starts, warily looking at Erin before she leans in. “Have you heard about Nate rigging Mama B’s birthday cake with sparklers, only for them to accidentally explode?”

After too many stories of the Barretts to count and my friends digging into the entirety of Pack Morgan’s history—up to and including their fucking souls—the men head in to do dishes after setting up a dessert buffet on the table for the rest of us.

Mellie grabs a mini cake and tosses it in her mouth, groaning obscenely at the taste. “Oh my god, Daph. I love these alphas.”

I can’t help tensing up at that, or the growl that leaks out of my lips. She turns, treat in hand, only to step back with wide eyes. “For you! I mean for you!”