Page 38 of Knot A Chance

“Wyatt, Reid, and I used to sneak into the park when we were teenagers. Reid is our friend who owns the tattoo shop in Mirror Lake. His brother, Donovan, works for Wyatt at the police station. They really don’t like each other, so we don’t see as much of Reid as we used to. But we’re still close and we sneak up here together a few times a winter, there’s just no one to punish us if we get caught anymore.”

“Did you ever have any interest in working with Wyatt as a police officer?”

Bennett laughed and kissed my head. “Fuck no. I have way more fun fixing cars than pulling people over for speeding. What Wyatt does is important, don’t get me wrong, but we don’t have a ton of crime in Mirror Lake, and most of what he deals with is petty shit.”

I chuckled. “Right. Except for the massive drug ring.”

Bennett pulled back to meet my eyes “Seriously?”

“Wait, you don’t know about it?”

“No. I mean, I know the Northeast has a higher percentage of drug usage than other areas, and Wyatt’s talked about picking people up for selling before, but nothing more nefarious than small-time stuff.”

“I probably shouldn’t have said anything,” I said. “Honestly, I don’t know much at all. Ryder did all the buying for us. But I know he said he bought from someone who was well-connected and that there was a group who shipped the stuff out of the Lakes Region and into surrounding territories. Sounded like a good-size operation.”

“Wow,” Bennett said. “Yeah, I never would have known. Maybe Wyatt and Donovan know, but they wouldn’t share something like that if it’s something they’re investigating.”

“So, Ally and Wyatt are both alphas, huh?” I asked, wanting to change the subject. “Still can’t wrap my head around that one.”

Bennett laughed. “You’ve seen them together when he stops into the bar. Ally’s the more dominate one.”

“Yeah, it’s just…so unusual.” I shook my head. “I’m glad it works for them.”

“It does.”

I sighed. “I’ve had a great night, and I’m really interested in seeing you again Bennett, but—”

He pressed his lips to mine. “Nope. No buts. I already hate whatever you’re going to say because I need to see you again.”

I chuckled and shoved him off me. “I can’t have a bond with someone again unless Ryder releases me. I may always be bound to another alpha, and I have a sense that’s going to be an issue for a possessive fucker like you.”

Bennett nuzzled into my neck, scent marking me as he rolled on top of me. “I care about your heart. Is your heart still with Ryder?”

“No. Not even a little bit,” I said.

“Good. Then give me that when you’re ready, and I’ll be perfectly content with you, handsome. Bond or no bond. I just want you.”

I gripped his hips and he grinded into me as I pulled him closer, needing to feel his lips against mine. I moaned as his tongue danced across the seam of my lips, seeking entry, and I melted into his touch as I parted my lips for him. Our tongues tangled together, and our mouths moved in a rhythm that felt perfectly rehearsed. My chest ached with a need to be closer to him, to feel him consume me. I pressed against his chest before pulling back.

“I need to tell you one more thing,” I said, breathing heavily as I pushed past the lump rising in my throat.

“Anything,” Bennett said, kissing my jaw softly.

“Ryder mated me when we were high. I don’t remember consenting to his bite. Maybe he felt like I was in my right mind, but it certainly wasn’t romantic, and had I been sober, I never would have agreed to it.”

Bennett stopped kissing me and looked into my eyes. “Are you worried that I’ll do something like that to you?”

I shook my head. “No. It’s just important to me that if I ever bond with someone again, I’m able to make that choice for myself. I want to be upfront about it because some alphas pressure omegas for a bond, and if we’re ever in a situation where it’s possible and I’m ready for one, I’ll tell you. I don’t want to be pushed into it.”

Bennett kissed me softly. “You remember what I told you?”

“I always have a choice with you.”

He nodded. “I won’t even ask you about a bond. If you feel ready someday, you let me know. I’m pretty confident I’ll be willing to take that step with you whenever you ask.”

I laughed. “It’s our first date.”

Bennett smiled as he lowered his lips back to mine. “I know, and I’m already fifty percent of the way in love with you.”