Page 16 of Knot Your Kismet

Glancing over my shoulder, I look around the bustling town center. This is the first time I've left the Kismet Estate. I’m actually surprised that no one followed me here. I thought that Nolan would chase after me for sure, but he just let me go. Maybe he didn’t believe me. I wouldn’t have. I’m just lucky everything was set up through the Bonding App. It made it far too easy to turn my lie into the truth.

“Welcome, Ms. Kismet. Would you like the family table? How have you been holding up? Your mama was an amazing woman. We all miss her,” a hostess says, moving from behind a wooden podium. She’s a beta that looks to be in her fifties with blond hair, deep blue eyes, and small crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes. Glasses rest on her head, and she quickly pulls them down to her nose.

I don’t have a chance to brace myself before she engulfs me in a hug. Her warmth envelops me, and I can’t stop myself from sinking against her. I can’t remember the last time I was hugged like this, like I was loved, and it strikes a nerve.

I hadn’t planned on crying today. I thought I got it all out of me. But the kindness of this woman prods at my vulnerable side.

“I miss her too,” I manage to say, blinking my eyes to stop the tears from messing up my mascara. It might be leftover from yesterday, but fortunately it still looks good. Not that I care. I don’t want to impress anyone, especially this alpha… I should really look at his profile on the app. I don’t even know his name.

“I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I just didn’t have the chance to give you my condolences at her celebration of life. Your brothers sure didn’t want anyone getting close to you.” The woman pulls away, tilting her head as she drinks me in.

“Not to be rude, but they’re not my brothers. I barely even know them.” It’s unlike me to be open with a stranger. I need to be careful what I say and to who.

The woman smiles, surprising me. “Oh, dear. I’m glad to hear that. I was worried things would be uncomfortable for you coming back here. The one thing keeping our little town at ease is knowing that nothing will happen to us. You’ll make a wonderful omega to the Kismet boys. Even your parents knew you were a perfect match.”

What. The. Hell? Is she serious? The idea of marrying Nolan, Jensen, and Lucas goes beyond the three of them attempting to keep their power and wealth.

“I think you got your information wrong. I’m not taking my mother’s place as the Pack Kismet Omega. I’m actually here to meet a potential alpha.” I remain tight-jawed, trying my best to ignore the confusion crossing the hostess’s face. I need to change the subject fast and close off this conversation immediately. “I’d also prefer not to sit at the family table. Maybe I can have that booth over there in the corner?” I ask, waving my hand to the two-person booth by the window. That way my back can face the wall, and I’ll have a view of the entire restaurant and the street outside.

It’s usually the spot an alpha would choose to sit to observe from and remain guarded. Consider this my power play. I will be able to gauge what this man is really like by his reaction.

“Yes, of course,” the woman says, her forehead wrinkling with her frown, making her look a bit older. Silent questions hang between us, and I don’t give her a chance to ask. I’m sure she’s confused by my harsh tone. I bet the Kismet Pack is as beloved as Henry and Mom were.

I stride toward the booth and slide in, feeling the cold vinyl against my back. The hostess hands me a menu and then sets another across from me. She grabs a pitcher of water and two cups, placing them on the table.

“I’m assuming you’re going to wait for your…” She doesn’t finish her sentence, acting like it pains her to say the word date.

“No, I’m actually starving. Can I get a cobb salad without chicken? Add some extra cheddar cheese and avocado as well. Please and thank you. I’ll also take whatever diet soda you have.” I hand the menu back to her and lean in my seat.

“Oh, okay. I’ll pass it on to Glenn, your server.” The woman spins away, taking my hint that I don’t want to be bothered. She’ll probably tell everyone how rude I was, not that I care. If that’s all she has to say about me, it’ll be for the best. I don’t need her knowing much else. Small towns and their gossips are not really my thing.

Tapping my finger to the Bonding App, I watch it open to the profile I left it on. Great. I should have taken a second to look over the first alpha I clicked on. This guy has to be in his seventies. I bet he’s only looking for an omega to replace one he lost. That could be a great thing or a terrible thing. I guess I’ll find out.

Ted Johnson, a member of Pack Francisco, looking for the love of his life. Apparently, he likes boating and is retired from finance. He looked to be part of a venture capitalist firm. All I know is that he’s probably going to bore me to death, but at least he’s rich. Is it twisted that I’m actually thinking about the possibilities? It’s not unheard of for an omega to marry someone much, much older. There’s the whole not many years left thing. We are seen as caretakers, and sometimes these alphas just want that when they are old.

“Twelve kids?” I whisper, looking at his bio. Why the fuck does he want an omega? There’s gotta be some sort of gimmick or something. Maybe he needs it for power. Alphas are usually established, and their power can’t be touched at his age. It doesn’t say he’s a pack leader or anything.

Damn. I should just leave.

A chime on the door rings, drawing my attention to Ted Johnson, the man who definitely used an old picture, which is saying a lot. There is no way this guy is seventy. He looks like he should have been put to rest yesterday.

I can’t go through with this. I don’t even want to talk to him. What kind of alpha goes after an omega who is probably younger than his youngest child?

As if he can sense my desire to escape, Ted holds up his cane and waves it in my direction. “Calista Kismet?” he asks, smiling and showing off his stained teeth. “Is that you? I forgot my glasses.”

I cringe and slide out of the booth. “Sorry. That’s not me.”

“Ms. Kismet, I got your salad and Diet Coke. Is there anything else I can do for you?” a man says. It must be the server. Fuck. He obviously can’t read the room.

“Ms. Kismet went to the bathroom. I was just leaving,” I say, glancing around for another exit. Ted remains on the path leading out, a frown plastered across his face.

For having a cane, Ted sure moves quickly. I don’t even get the chance to evade him as he closes the space. He obviously doesn’t understand boundaries, because he links his free hand to my elbow and squeezes.

“You don’t have to be shy, Calista. It’s okay to be nervous around an alpha like myself. Why don’t we sit down? I’ve come all this way to meet you. You can at least give me an hour of your time, can’t you?” Ted releases a growl under his breath, sending the scent of garlic over me.

“No, I can’t. You tricked me.” I try to pull away from him, but he tightens his hand even more. For being so old, he is rather strong.

“Waiter, bring me a steak. Medium rare. Calista will share it with me. You can take away the salad. My omega will only feast on the finest meat.” Ted drags me back to the booth, his audacity shocking me into compliance.