Page 75 of Knot Now Knot Ever

“Hey, is that a mark on her neck?” a voice shouted.

“Lyra, who did you bond with? Why is there only one mark?”

“Are you really matched to the whole pack, or was that a lie?”

Chaos grew as people kept yelling, and flashes blinded me from seeing a way out.

“If you don’t want to spend the next five years in jail, I suggest you back the fuck away from my Omegas,” Eli’s voice boomed, cutting through all the other noise. “This building is private property, and you have no right to be here. The cops have been called, so I suggest you run while you still can.”

Arms grabbed me, and I was hoisted up. Instantly, my brain began to panic until the scent of rich cedar told me it was Pascal. I hid my face against his shoulder, letting my hair fall forward to shield me. Pascal practically jogged out of the store and clutched me to his body until he had to pass me off to Tanner. “Take her. I’ve got to get my keys out of my pocket.”

My body started to shake as the adrenaline coursed through my veins. I reached out through my bond to make sure Fawn was here, too, and I knew he was right beside me. Fawn was just as panicked as I was, but I felt a sense of relief when he felt me checking on him. Tanner settled me in Pascal’s car, buckled me in, and took a moment to brush my hair out of my face to study me.

“I’m okay, just rattled,” I said, guessing he was trying to determine my mental status. “Once we’re home, I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t worry, starlight, that’s exactly where we’re going,” Tanner assured me, then kissed my forehead before getting into the front seat.

There is no explanation for the drive home other than in another life, Pascal had been a stunt driver or worked as a special operative who knew how to evade being followed. I’m fairly positive the last turn into the driveway was made on two wheels, but as long as we made it home alive, I didn’t care. The guys left everything in the cars and hustled Fawn and me up into Fawn’s bedroom. Once there, we were both swaddled in blankets with four purring Alphas surrounding us. I think they needed reassurance as much as we did after what had just happened.

“Let me make myself clear. No Omega in this pack is going anywhere without one of us or at least two bodyguards,” Eli announced, then stepped out of the room, presumably to hire said bodyguards.

“That settles it,” Fawn stated. “Eli would absolutely be the sexiest supervillain known to mankind if he decided to take over the world.”

I tried to hold back my laughter at the absolute certainty in Fawn’s voice, but it was impossible. Soon, I was laughing so hard I started to cry, and my stomach hurt, yet it seemed to be the emotional release I needed. Maybe I should see if Dr. Mann had a full hour to meet with me. I certainly had more than enough to process in a full session.

Our Alphas kept us wrapped up in Fawn’s room for about an hour, cuddling and making sure we were okay before they let us free. Everyone then went back to the cars, unloaded all the goodies, and got to work painting. Pascal voted we should order pizza for dinner and have a picnic in my new room. I loved the idea of filling this space with amazing memories from the start. Fawn insisted we lay out a blanket like you would to make this an official picnic.

“Zac, how is it possible you have paint in your beard?” Tanner asked, grabbing Zachary’s chin to get a better look at the damage. “You better try to wash that off, or you’re gonna need to shave.”

“Like hell I’m shaving,” Zachary muttered and got to his feet, rushing off to the bathroom.

Tanner shook his head, smiling, and turned to Fawn. “Really, Fawnie?”

“Mark my words. I will see that man’s bald face at least once in my life,” Fawn said, waving his slice of pizza as he talked. “He won’t even let me see baby pictures.”

“So you thought getting paint in his beard would work?” Tanner countered. “I know you tease him about it, and it’s become a game between you two, but make sure you don’t go too far. I’ve never seen him without a beard either, but then again, I love how fuzzy he is.”

Fawn paused mid-bite, then lowered his slice. “Are you trying to tell me in a kind, subtle way that I’m being a dick, and it would really hurt Zac to shave off his beard?”

“All I’m saying is maybe check in with him from time to time to be sure he still sees it as a game,” Tanner elaborated. “He’s never said anything to the contrary to me, but sometimes we stay silent because we don’t want to hurt the ones we love. Asking him allows him the freedom to be honest, like you and the bunny ears.”

Fawn nodded slowly, chewing on his pizza before dropping what was left of his slice on the plate and getting up. I wasn’t surprised to see Fawn make a beeline to the bathroom and shut the door.

“In ten minutes, if you hear moaning and rhythmic banging. No, you don’t,” Tanner commented with a smirk, glancing at the rest of us. “Those two always resolve their fights with sex. It’s how I know things are good between them again.”

Eli’s phone buzzed on the blanket, he grabbed it, and looked at the screen. “Are you sure you want to go to this meeting on your own tomorrow, Lyra?”

As we painted, I brought up my request to see Dr. Mann myself, and none of them were thrilled but understood. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ll accept whatever measures you want me to take, but I need these meetings to be just me. As an Omega, I worry about everyone’s emotional well-being, and that leads to people-pleasing because I don’t want any of you to be upset. I don’t think this first meeting will be anything crazy, but with Dr. Barnett, we’d touch on things that made me cry and feel really raw. Knowing you’re out in the waiting room, I wouldn’t be able to relax or be so vulnerable because I’d be worried about you guys getting upset seeing me red and puffy from crying.”

“She makes a solid argument,” Tanner agreed. “Even knowing her therapist is only trying to help, I’d lose my shit seeing you that upset.”

Eli rubbed a hand down his face and groaned. “If today hadn’t happened, I’d have no problem, but I’m struggling to let either of you leave this house without one of us.”

“How about this,” I started, clapping my hands together only to break them apart. “We split the issue down the middle. You guys can drop me off, and my bodyguards will bring me back to the house. This way, you know I made it safely, and I’ll even text you once I’ve entered her office.”

Pascal and Tanner looked to Eli, clearly waiting to see what his answer would be. Our attention was sidetracked by a loud thud of something quickly hitting the bathroom door, followed by a shriek of pleasure. I glanced at Tanner to see him laughing into his hand, trying not to make a big deal out of the situation.

“Guess he wasn’t mad after all, just horny.” Tanner snickered, then cleared his throat, sitting up straight. “Anyway, starlight, I think that’s a great idea. What about you, Eli?”