Page 24 of Trick Knot Treat

“And we don’t know Zaire that well. Felix has always made it clear that we’re not his kind of people. So, yeah, the next few weeks are not going to be fun. But we will endure it. and then once it’s done, we can all move on.”

I lean my chin on my hand, watching him closely. “What’s so bad about finding a pack?”

“Nothing, I just don’t think this pack is the right one,” Clint says. “Now, if you were there, we might have a chance.”

I laugh to hide the desperate sadness that wells up. “You couldn’t handle me.”

“Oh, I think I could, little beta.”

I let a tiny smile play on my lips. “You never even saw me before.”

“No, I didn’t, but I see you now.”

The intensity of those words hit me hard, and for some reason, it’s impossible to hold his gaze.

“You should be looking at your matches,” I say lightly, trying to force cheer where I think I’m strangling.

“I am.”

“I’m not your match.”

Clint hums, but we’re interrupted when Franco returns with his food, placing it on the table.

“Thanks, Franco.”

“Enjoy.”

Clint dives in, going from dish to dish. He holds out forkfuls to me, and I cave and taste the food, but the whole of me is watching this alpha who just eats with such passion. He hums and groans, his lips glossy from sauce and juices. His eyes shine and darken with his pleasure. Even the way his body leans over the table, or he leans back to appreciate every mouthful.

He is captivating.

Oh. dear.

I clear my throat but scramble to answer my phone before I even check the ID.

“Khione.”

I cringe. “Dad?”

“Have you finished exploring yet? Are you ready to come home?”

“Uh, not yet. A few more weeks. That was our agreement, right? You gave me a year. I’ve got five weeks until my gap year is over.”

Clint has set down his knife and fork and is watching me with a frown.

“Excuse me, I have to go,” I say to Clint.

He scowls and tries to say something, but I stand up and rush outside where he can’t hear the call.

“Dad, you promised you wouldn’t harass me.”

“I’m not harassing, this is protecting, checking, being available if you want me to beat the crap out of any alphas giving you a hard time.”

“I’m fine. I promise.”

“You don’t sound fine, you sound off.”

Shit. Fuck. Damn.