Page 34 of Knot Now Knot Ever

“I appreciate your candor, Mr. Thatcher, but I would advise you to leave the running of my company to me. This is a delicate matter that touches on many sensitive topics for people when it comes to how things work here. My hope was this meeting would create peace between us and help everyone understand that if one person chose to abuse their power, it doesn’t mean every Scent Matcher is that way,” Perry said, laying out all the cards he’d been holding back.

Lyra and Fawn had confused expressions, reminding me they didn’t know about the lawsuit. We’d had that discussion while they were out of the room. I made a mental note to fill them in as soon as we left this place and could talk privately. Really, none of us should be surprised that this meeting was connected to Eli’s actions going after Mrs. Chambers. Why take it to court when you could simply clean up the mess behind closed doors, leaving none the wiser?

“If your intention was to prove Mira’s actions are not reflected by your organization, then perhaps you should have led with honesty,” Eli challenged. “Simply offering a clear invitation to meet with you as a chance to congratulate us on our unique situation would have alleviated the emotional distress you’ve put my pack through. One last thing before we end this meeting… I never intended to go after your organization, only the person directly responsible for the pain and suffering my little sister had to endure. The way I see it, you’re the one who can’t separate the two.”

Slapping my hands on my thighs, I stood up and offered a hand to Fawn. “On that note, I think it’s time for us to head out.”

Fawn didn’t question our decision and took my hand, allowing me to pull him to his feet. My arm wrapped around his shoulders, and I tucked him to my side. My Alpha need to protect my bonded Omega was like an adrenaline rush surging through my veins. I double-checked to make sure Eli was taking care of Lyra before heading for the elevator.

“Wait, please,” Perry said urgently. “There’s one more thing I didn’t have a chance to mention yet.”

I paused to glance over my shoulder. “Then spit it out.”

Was it incredibly stupid of me to speak like that to a man as powerful as Perry Noble? Yeah. Did I give a flying fuck? Not a one.

“I’d hoped you would agree to a small press release and asked the major networks to have a reporter here a little after noon,” Perry admitted. “If you go down there without me, it’s going to cause a firestorm no one can put out. Eli, you warned me about public opinion, but that door swings both ways. Allow me a brief moment to speak to them with you four by my side and save us both a battle we didn’t ask for.”

Eli was pissed.

If you could picture the face of an enraged deity ready to bring down their wrath upon mankind for one grievance or another, Eli was scarier.

“This was your plan,” Eli spat, tucking Lyra behind him as he squared up to Perry. “How dare you manipulate this situation for your benefit. Lyra and Fawn don’t even know about the lawsuit. They’re innocent bystanders now placed in the jaws of a situation you created. We will do this, but know I hold you personally responsible for whatever happens afterward. I’m glad your organization rejected me, and I was able to find my pack without your help. That way, when people ask if I’m grateful to your organization, I can honestly say you had nothing to do with it.”

As Eli was lighting Perry’s ass up, I caught Lyra’s hand and drew her away from the massive amount of Alpha energy that was pouring off both men. I’ve heard people speculate that we might have evolved from wolves, and that’s why we have designations, heats, ruts, and, in some rare cases, go a little feral. Of course, we have a more civilized term for when an Alpha loses their shit—rut rage. It is aptly named because it typically only happens when an Alpha is on the verge of rut. However, there’s an exception to every rule, and I didn’t think Eli was fighting off rut. I think he was furious.

Perry was left rather speechless after Eli’s dress down. I’m not sure he’s had someone speak to him like that in a long time, if ever. The man simply nodded and turned to Duncan. “Please let them know we’ll be down in a moment and double-check security is in place as discussed.”

“Right away,” Duncan answered but paused as if worried to leave Perry alone with us.

“Don’t insult us further by thinking we’d beat up a person because they showed their true colors,” I snapped, unable to let Eli have all the fun. Duncan glared at me but headed to do as he was told.

Now, we were left to stand awkwardly, waiting for the all-clear to head downstairs.

“Do you have a bathroom up here?” Fawn asked.

Perry blinked for a moment, probably thrown off by the relaxed, casual nature of the question after dealing with two snarling Alphas. “Yes, just down the hall on your left.”

“Thank you,” Fawn tossed over his shoulder as he dragged Lyra and me after him.

Eli was right on our heels, refusing to let either Omega out of his sight. Once we reached the bathroom, Fawn gestured for us to join him.

“Fawnie, this isn’t a club. You don’t need to worry about going to the bathroom by yourself,” I reminded him.

Rolling his eyes with a dramatic sigh, he flipped me off. “I don’t need to fucking pee. Now, all of you get your asses in here.”

With a shrug, I joined him as did the others, shutting the door behind us.

Nothing about this meeting had turned out to be what I expected, and the looks on everyone’s faces told me they felt the same way. My mind was spinning with so many questions and trying to keep up with a situation I only understood half of.

“Would one of you like to tell us what the hell is going on?” Fawn demanded, crossing his arms and tapping his foot. “Don’t even try to tell me some crap about explaining it to us when we leave, because if I’m going to stand in front of the media next to that man, I want to know why.”

I was shocked to hear the irritation and harsh tone of Fawn’s words being directed at our Alphas. While I agreed they had some explaining to do, I wasn’t sure this was the best way to handle the situation.

“Fawn…” I started to say, but he rested a hand on my arm and shook his head.

“I’m sorry to put you in the middle of this, angel, but we both have the right to an explanation. This meeting might have started out about our pack having two Omegas, but it turned into something much bigger,” Fawn reasoned, giving me an apologetic look.

Eli rubbed a hand over his face with an irritated growl. “I should have expected this and waited for Jonathan to join us, but he had a court appearance and couldn’t get out of it. Fawn’s right, though. This is about a situation that has nothing to do with either of you. It’s my fault you were blindsided, and I should have told you the same day I told the others.”