Page 95 of Knot Only For One Night

Maybe I have a lot more to learn about my Pack and their family, this MC.

“Better yet, fall off a cliff and drown,” Lacy quips back and Cyclops pretends to be hurt, putting a hand to his chest.

“Oh, I thought sweetbutts were, well, sweet.”

“Not for you, asshat.”

“How can you omegas hang around such vileness?”

“Well, we’re standing here in your presence, aren't we?” Jewels says and I can’t help but let out a laugh that I wish I could take back when his creepy blue eyes land on me.

“So, pretty lady, are you gonna give me a chance this time?” he says and before he can even finish his sentence my head is already shaking.

“No.” Remembering that no is a full sentence.

“What?” He makes a grab for my arm as we walk past him. Jewels slaps his hand away, thank goodness, snarling at him.

“She has a Pack.”

“I don’t see any bites.”

“Not yet, but they are mine.” My face flushes with anger, and my very barren neck stings like tiny little bees.

“Are they? If they didn't bite you during your heat, how much could they really be yours?”

“It’s none of your business,” I say, trying to hide the worry in my system.

“Shut the hell up, Cyclops. Like you’d even know what you’re talking about, you Packless fucker.” Jewels turns to me, leveling her gaze with mine. “Let’s go, Esper.”

I nod, letting Jewels and Lacy lead me anywhere that’s away. I try to regulate my breathing but I’m entering full panic mode. My ears ring as my omega lashes about in my brain. She’s highly upset over the comment.

If they didn't bite you during your heat, how much could they really be yours?

God, I hate that he touched a nerve. Getting through my heat without a single bite…something close to rejection sits in my chest, but I know they haven’t. They just— we just need more time.

“Esper, stop. Get it together. Your Packmates are gonna smell your worry from a mile away, and I’m sure you don't want that,” Lacy says, pulling me tight to her chest in a hug.

She’s right. I don't want them to worry. Realistically, we haven’t known each other for very long. Bonds take time. But my omega isn’t trying to hear it. My teeth ache as she wants to go bite and bond every single one of them right this instant.

“Deep breath,” Jewels says, breathing deep so I can copy her. “Bonds aren't something to rush. It’s good you waited.”

“Good?” I repeat, trying to get out of my own head.

“Good. I’d much rather have bonded my mates outside my heat.”

“Yeah?”

Lacy jumped in. “Yeah! When I got mine, it was so special. No rutting alphas, heat of the moment, or doubts of regret. My mate took me to Paris. Can you believe it? Cobra wined and dined the hell out of me. Saved up for months and when he finally bit me, wow! It felt so special to be of clear mind making the decision to be together forever,”

Her confidence eases my choice, pulling my omega from the cliff she was toeing over.

Jewels wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “One Eye and DJ didn’t bond with me during our first heat together either, though we had close calls. They wanted the same. To make it special. Clear minds. So nothing could influence our decisions besides our natural emotions.”

I nod again, trying to smile, which makes them laugh a bit. The smile must be horrible, but their words settle over me.

It was the right call to make. No one gets to make that call except me and my Pack. No one else.

I nod, again, more so to myself. “You’re right.”