Page 31 of Knot Now Knot Ever

Turning my chair so I faced him, Tanner rested a hand on my knee, offering comfort but still being respectful. “It’s all good. It happens to me all the time. I was saying we should probably head out so we’re not late. Before we go, I want to make sure you’re okay. If Fawn is dealing with withdrawal after one meeting, then you might be as well. Tell me you at least have Eli with you as much as possible.”

I dropped my gaze and went to tuck my hair but realized too late I’d decided to put it up today. “I’m with him during the day,” I admitted.

Tanner muttered something under his breath before abruptly standing. Instinctively, I jerked back from the aggressive behavior, which had Tanner instantly freezing. Mortified at my reaction to one of my Alphas, I tried to make it look like I was pushing my chair back so I could stand. Meanwhile, I was internally scolding myself for acting like an idiot. Tanner wasn’t going to hurt me, and I knew the truth of that in my soul. Yes, I barely knew the man, but as an Omega, a designation known for our skill in reading people’s emotions and intentions, I knew Tanner was a good man.

“We should grab the others… as you said, we don’t want to be late,” I commented, heading for the coat rack where I hung my things.

It was drizzling outside, so I pulled on my trench coat before slipping my purse over my shoulder. Turning, I stopped abruptly, nearly crashing into Tanner’s chest. “Sorry,” I murmured.

“Lyra, please look at me,” Tanner ordered in a commanding voice, even though he tried to make it sound like a request.

Preparing for him to be upset with me for my ridiculous reaction, I did as he asked. Instead of seeing anger, irritation, or disgust, I found overwhelming concern. Ever so slowly, he reached out to cup my cheek, his gaze searching my expression as if he’d find the answers in the depths of my soul. “Lyra, has someone been hurting you? It’s okay. You can tell me even if it was Eli, and I’ll make sure you’re safe, whatever it takes.”

Stunned that anyone would ever think Eli was capable of hurting anyone, let alone a woman, was beyond me. “No,” I stated fiercely. “Eli has been nothing but kind, patient, and loving with me. He’d sooner cut off his own hand than lay a finger on me.”

Tanner looked relieved at my answer and pulled me into a hug. “I’m sorry, but I had to ask. There is nothing more important than making sure you and Fawn are safe.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Eli said from behind me.

Twisting to look over my shoulder, I realized he’d come in through the door connecting our offices. His arm was casually wrapped around Fawn’s waist, holding the Omega close, but his expression was anything but relaxed.

Tanner pulled back from the hug but caught my hand so I didn’t go anywhere. “Then you can understand why I felt the need to question the fact my Omega flinched away from me. A reaction like that isn’t a normal response. It’s learned behavior.”

Eli’s expression changed from anger to worry as he stepped forward, letting his arm slip from Fawn. He fixed me with his gaze but stopped as I held up my hand, preventing him from asking the question I knew was coming. We didn’t have the time to delve into the depths of my broken brain. “Can we please discuss this after our meeting? I can only handle so much anxiety at once, and dealing with the Scent Matchers is taking all the bandwidth I have right now.”

Eli nodded, and Tanner agreed to my request as well.

“Just to be crystal clear, my petal, we are going to talk about this today,” Eli warned, but his voice soothed my fears that he was upset with me, as did the quick kiss he placed on my lips. “The car’s waiting for us downstairs.”

“Oh, we can take our car. There’s no need for a driver,” Tanner offered.

“I think it would be best not to have any of us drive since we don’t know how this meeting will go. It’s safer to let someone not emotionally invested do the driving,” Eli countered, expertly navigating the situation, eliminating the risk I might be asked to sit up front.

Tanner shrugged, not feeling strongly enough on the matter to argue. “Lead the way.”

Fawn bounced up to me, taking my other hand, grinning like a fool. “God, it’s so hot to watch them go all overprotective Alpha, isn’t it? Don’t worry too much. It’s totally normal for the Alphas of a new pack to puff up and test each other. Once everyone knows where they stand, things settle down. Tanner and Pascal got into loads of arguments before they figured out how to cohabitate.”

“They weren’t fights, Fawnie,” Tanner cut in. “Pascal is a man who needs certain things done in a particular way, and I didn’t feel the same way. So, instead of him needing to instruct me on his laundry method, he does it himself. The same goes with cleaning the bathrooms.”

Fawn snorted. “It’s not that crazy of a concept, Tee. He sorts his clothes into colors, whites, and blacks. You, my love, shove it all in at the same time.”

“So? It works for me,” Tanner muttered, adjusting his hat as he leaned back against the elevator wall. “Another reason why the shift to everyone doing their laundry was the best call.”

“Ah… domestic bliss. It’s so idyllic,” Fawn said, dramatically pressing his hand to his heart.

“That’s how it was with my exes too,” I shared, not thinking about how the others would react.

Both Alphas stiffened, their attention locked on me.

Fawn leaned in and covered his mouth with his hand as he whispered, “Don’t mind them. Alphas like to pretend that Omegas couldn’t possibly have been with anyone but their matches. I’ve learned it’s better to wait until after bonding to bring up any old flames. It drives them wild, and the sex is amazing.”

I coughed out a laugh, unable to prevent it with both hands preoccupied. Fawn just winked conspiratorially at me, showing off the skilled blue smoky eye he’d done today. It matched the cropped blue hoodie that showed off his toned stomach and plaid skirt he was wearing. The outfit was finished off with knee-high blue and white striped socks and powder blue high-top sneakers. While it wasn’t an outfit that anyone could pull off, it fit Fawn perfectly.

Tanner released my hand as I climbed into the limo with Fawn in tow. The limo wasn’t one of those crazy stretched-out vehicles—this was slightly longer than a normal car, allowing for the second set of seats. Fawn wrapped his arms around my right arm, hugging it to his body as he rested his head on my shoulder, letting out a contented sigh. Having him close eased something inside me I hadn’t realized I was searching for. Maybe Tanner had been right about us rethinking this whole living situation. I wasn’t sure I was ready to move in, but if I couldn’t handle a night alone, there’s no way this weekend would be manageable.

“Angel, what do you think about us going out and enjoying a day together?” Fawn asked, lifting his head. “You get weekends off, right?”

We turned to look at Eli, whose attention had been on his phone. “I’m sorry. Did you ask me something?”