Page 32 of Knot Now Knot Ever

“Angel gets weekends off, right? I wanted to take her out for a spa day this Saturday,” Fawn explained.

“Done. I’ll even throw in the car service to use for the day,” Eli offered.

Fawn’s face lit up with excitement. “That’s perfect since I don’t have a driver’s license. Normally, I’d ask one of the guys to run errands with me, but your idea is way more fitting for the day’s mood.” Tanner and Eli laughed at Fawn’s enthusiasm as he all but tackled me with a hug. “It’s gonna be so much fun. Then we can go back to your place, watch movies, eat junk food, and have a sleepover. What could be more perfect?”

“Nothing I can think of,” I agreed and quickly kissed his lips. “I have no doubt it will be a great time if you’re the one who planned it.”

This interaction made me think of Elora and how our friendship started. Much like Fawn, she took charge and planned things for us to do, knowing I’d never be the first to initiate. While I struggled to let others make life choices for me, social interaction was a completely different situation. Each time Elora dragged me to this party or that event, I went begrudgingly, yet in the end, those were some of the best memories I had of my college years.

All too soon, the car stopped in front of a rather ornate building. It wasn’t tall or imposing. In fact, the Scent Matcher office was only four stories high. The ornate gothic architecture had copper accents, which highlighted the detail and made the building stand out. The organization’s logo was boldly displayed over the dark wooden doors you entered through.

My anxiety over this situation started to build as Eli and Tanner got out of the car. Fawn was on their heels, but I sat frozen, staring at the building. What if I go in there, and they tell me it’s all a mistake? Could they take me from these men? Wait! Did I want to stay? Around and around went my thoughts like a dog chasing its tail. It led nowhere and kept me trapped in my fears. Then a hand cupped my cheek, turning me so I couldn’t look at the building but instead found Tanner’s welcome gaze.

“Hey there, beautiful,” he greeted, just like he had at the office, with the same warm smile. “I know you're worried about this meeting, but none of us have done anything wrong. The Scent Matchers have no authority to prevent us from being together. Their purpose is to help connect matches and bring together people who have the best chance at creating a pack. Once that happens, their work is done, and nature has to take its course. Lyra, I realize it’s a lot to ask when you don’t really know me, but trust that neither Eli nor I will let them take you. We’ll be able to get through this.”

“Okay,” I agreed, allowing him to take my hand and help me out of the car.

Once I was standing on the sidewalk, Tanner rested his hands on my hips and pulled me close. Instinctively, I brought my hands up so they rested on his chest, and I could feel the steady beat of his heart. Tanner’s chestnut gaze was full of intensity, making it intoxicating to look at. “Thank you, Lyra,” he whispered. “Know that from this moment on, I plan to do everything I can to prove I deserve your trust. I’m not perfect, but I work damn hard to be the best version of myself for those I care about.”

Something about his words made my heart ache, and I think it was because people didn’t talk like this unless they’d gone through hell and back. A person who could be this self-aware at one point had to face the truth of the life they’d been living and admit it needed to change. Broken people can choose to stay broken and blame others for what happened to them, or they could pick up what pieces they could salvage and fix what was left in the hopes of one day repairing themselves little by little.

Gripping the edges of Tanner’s coat, I pulled him down as I pushed up on my toes, closing the distance between us. The kiss was short but full of meaning and promise of a new beginning. How could I offer any less in return if he could be this vulnerable and honest? “Thank you, Tanner, and I hope you’ll feel I’m worthy of such a gift in time.”

“That’s the thing, beautiful, you’re more than worthy, and the fact you don’t see it tells me someone else didn’t treasure you as they should have,” Tanner countered, cupping my face in his hands, resting his forehead against mine. “Certain people in the world emit a pure light from the depths of their soul. Everyone is drawn to them, but some can’t stand to see the truth of who they are in that light and try everything they can to snuff it out. Only this kind of light can’t be extinguished. It’s who they are and how they treat people. Although after suffering at the hands of wounded, angry people, it can be dimmed. I see how you shine, Lyra. However, I also know others have hurt you in your life, but that all changes now that we’ve found you. So hold your head high, my shining star, and we’ll get through this together.”

Never had someone so clearly described my life in such a simple way. It was a lot to unpack, and now wasn’t the place to do it, but knowing I’d been seen by this man, I was matched to was a balm to my soul. “You’re right. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can build our future together.”

Tanner quickly kissed the tip of my nose, grinning like a fool. “Couldn’t have said it any better.” I took his offered arm, and we headed into the Scent Matchers’ headquarters.

Eli and Fawn were already inside, waiting for us. It was a sweet gesture trying to give Tanner and me a little privacy for our conversation. We approached the reception desk to let them know we’d arrived.

“If Miss Clark and Mr. Fawn could follow me, I’ll show you to the room where you’ll be meeting with Scent Matcher Hooper,” the woman instructed.

“No,” Eli stated. “We will be accompanying them, or there is no meeting.”

The woman looked slightly panicked, clearly not prepared for such a reaction. It didn’t help that Eli had gone full Alpha on the poor Beta, which I felt a little bad about but also grateful.

“O-oh, um…” she started to say, but the phone rang. Gesturing for us to wait a moment, she picked up the call and sagged in relief. “Hello, sir. Yes, they just arrived. No two others are here, Alphas, and they want to accompany…” she paused as whoever she was talking to started speaking. “Of course, right away.”

She slowly hung up the phone and took a second to compose herself before addressing us. “I do apologize for that interruption, but there’s been a small change. Instead of meeting with Scent Matcher Hooper, you’ll have your meeting with our founder’s son, Mr. Noble. He insisted that all of you are welcome, and he’s eager to chat with you.”

A man walked up to the desk, wearing an expensive suit and enough cologne that I could taste it. My nose wrinkled in distaste, and I nearly sneezed at the overwhelming scent.

“Hello, I am Duncan, Mr. Noble’s assistant and bonded Beta. If you could come with me, I’ll escort you to your meeting,” Duncan greeted, offering us a slight bow.

Everything about this man was stiff, formal, and slightly robotic. Part of me wanted to say the hell with it and leave, but Tanner nuzzled a kiss to my temple, reassuring me before following the man to the elevator. We got off on the top floor, which looked more like someone’s home than an office. Duncan escorted us to a formal sitting room filled with antique furniture that made me question if I should sit on something so old.

“Mr. Noble will be with you shortly. May I offer you anything to drink? Tea, coffee, sparkling water?” Duncan inquired.

“Oh, could you make an Italian soda?” Fawn asked, apparently having zero shame of taking the man up on his offer.

“I can obtain anything you’d like, Mr. Fawn,” Duncan answered.

Fawn clapped his hands in excitement. “Then I would love a strawberry Italian soda, please.”

“Anyone else?” Duncan asked, but the rest of us declined. “Very well, I will be back in a moment.”

Looking around the room, I wasn’t even sure where to sit. There were two small couches that could seat two people at most, along with two armchairs. In the middle of all the seating was a large, sturdy-looking coffee table with photobooks of happy couples displayed. I picked up one and realized these were pictures of people who had been matched through this organization.