Sharon's eyes go wide, and I watch as her scent shifts into something warmer. Something that smells like understanding mixed with anticipation.
She reaches out and touches my face, her fingers tracing my jawline. Her skin is soft against mine. "I like that. I want that. The knot for the pack, and we'll do the phoenix later when this one heals."
I stand and head toward the design station, and Sharon comes with me. She is still shirtless, still completely at ease in her own skin. There is no self-consciousness in her, only this quiet confidence that has become such a natural part of her. She has stepped fully into her omega self. She has embraced her body, her desire, her place in the world. She exists exactly as she is, and she does it without apology.
I pull up the design software and start sketching. My fingers fly across the tablet, creating the image in my head. A knot that's intricate but not overwhelming. A knot that has movement and flow. A knot that shows connection and strength at the same time. Sharon leans over my shoulder, her warmth radiating against my back as she watches the design take shape.
"What do you think?" I ask, turning the tablet to face her.
Sharon leans in close, her bare shoulder brushing against mine. She studies the design for a long moment, and I watch as her expression shifts from analytical to emotional. Her breathing changes, becomes softer.
"It's perfect," she whispers.
My stomach chooses that exact moment to growl loudly, completely betraying me. I clear my throat and pretend it didn't happen. "We should grab food," I say. "Tacos from that place down the street, come back here, and then do the tattoo. I want you fully fed before we start."
She laughs softly, brushing her fingers over my forearm like she's trying to hide the fact she's doing it. "Or do you have to sort out other stuff?"
I shake my head. "Not today."
She tilts her head, curious. "Really? I figured having your own business. You would have to be on your toes all the time."
Sharon steps a little closer, eyes warm. "I like spending time with my alpha."
The words hit me low and hard. Warm. Possessive in the sweetest way. I lean in just enough that my breath brushes her cheek. "Good. Because I plan to keep you all to myself for the rest of the day."
Her grin is wicked and knowing. "Then feed me tacos, Pine. I work better when I'm spoiled."
"Anything for you beautiful." Then I wink at her.
Sharon nods and reaches for her sweater. I watch as she pulls it back on, covering the beautiful canvas of her skin. Temporary coverage, I remind myself. Soon she'll be wearing the knot permanently.
We walk down to Los Tacos, a small taco stand run by Maria who makes the best carnitas in Pine Hollow. The evening is cool, and the Christmas decorations are starting to go up all over town. Garland is draped across storefronts. Lights are being strung. Pine Hollow is preparing for the holidays. Our footsteps echo on the sidewalk as we walk side by side.
Sharon orders three tacos with everything on them. I order four because I'm still hungry even after we've finished. We find a small table near the window and settle in with our food. The plastic chairs scrape against the tile floor as we sit.
"What does the knot mean to you?" Sharon says between bites of her taco. Salsa drips onto her plate.
"The knot is everything," I say, and I'm being honest. "The knot is the most vulnerable moment for an alpha because it means you're locked in place. You can't run. You can't fight. You're completely at the mercy of your omega's pleasure."
Sharon takes a bite of her taco and watches me while she chews. "So, it's about trust."
"It's about knowing that your omega isn't going to hurt you while you're in your most vulnerable state."
"But I thought we did all that during the bonding ceremony?" Sharon asks softly. She wipes her mouth with a napkin.
"The bonding bites made us official," I say quietly, tracing the edge of her mark with my thumb. Her skin is warm under my touch. "That was the moment you chose us and we chose you. That's our pack, our instinct, everything that ties us together."
Her eyes lift to mine, open and trusting.
"But this tattoo is something else." My voice drops, not heavy, just honest. "It isn't about proof or ownership. It's about what we built before the bond ever happened. The part that came from us showing up for each other, day after day, because we wanted to."
Her breath catches, just a little.
"The bites tied our scents. This marks our story. Our choice. Something we made together because it felt right, not because our biology demanded it."
I tilt my forehead to hers.
"When people see it, they'll know you're ours, yes. But they'll also know we're yours. That this wasn't one-sided or instinct driven. It was mutual. It was us choosing each other long before any ritual."
