Page 33 of Knot Your Kismet

“We’ll all go together, Lis. Would that make things easier?” Lucas touches my chin, getting me to look at him. He knows that I’m more likely to listen to him, considering I’m still running on the high of our pleasure. It’s in my nature to look to him in this moment, even if we aren’t bonded and his brothers are right here too.

“Nothing will make this easier. Why can’t we just move on?” My words come out hoarse as tears threaten to splash my cheeks. But I won’t cry. My body won’t betray me right now. I’m stronger than that. Just because I’m an omega doesn’t mean I’m not capable of taking care of myself or that I wouldn’t want to.

“This is bigger than us, omega. We cannot show weakness. I know it doesn’t seem like a huge deal to you, but if we let them get away with what they did, it will open us up to other attacks on our power. We already have the law against us. We need to be careful… Unless you’re going to finally agree to my offer. Look how happy you are right now. I mean, before I had to come and ruin it. This could be our lives.”

“Nolan, stop,” Lucas says, his arms tensing, his muscles cording with his reaction. “This isn’t the right time.”

“What do you mean? Of course it’s the fucking right time. We need to get the contract signed. Just because your ass doesn’t care about Dad’s legacy doesn’t mean that we should just roll over.” Nolan turns his sharp gaze to me. “Calista, please. Just get dressed. It’s obvious that we can’t have this conversation with my brother here. He’s going to be protective. I don’t have it in me to fight right now.”

Whoa. He doesn’t have the will to fight, and honestly, I don’t have it in me to argue either. We have all made our thoughts clear, but now Lucas will be firmly on my side because of the truth. The truth I just don’t feel like sharing right now, not with everything looming over us.

“Okay,” I say quietly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in this situation. After we get everything taken care of, I’ll be ready to talk. I’ll be ready to explain.” Because he’s right. I can’t wait any longer. I have to make a choice.

And this life right now doesn’t seem so bad.

I can do this. I can fucking do this. I have done a lot of things in my life, but this one might be the worst. I’ve never really grasped what reality outside of the Omega Resort was like until I was taken away from it. It makes me confused. I’m flaky in my thoughts, and I can’t stand being so wishy-washy.

There is one thing I’m certain of. I don’t want to be here.

“Do you want Lucas or me to go with you? Jensen has to make his own statement. They don’t want the two of you making one together, because they need you to speak for yourself and it’ll be too easy for you to let Jensen take over the conversation.” Nolan stands with me in front of the car.

“You should do it, brother. I don’t think I can handle things as appropriately.” Lucas clenches his fingers into a fist. He might have been sterilized, but it doesn’t change the fact that he can still go full-blown alpha apart from a few things like rutting.

I don’t argue. I’m glad that I didn’t have to make a choice, because I would prefer the four of us to go together. At least they’ll respect Nolan because he is our pack leader, even if the estate isn’t completely in our power.

“Are you good with that, Calista?” Nolan asks. His use of my full name doesn’t go unnoticed. I can tell he’s nervous. I’m nervous, too. I really hate being here. At least I’m not alone. I’m so used to it that having the Kismet brothers by my side makes things a little less torturous.

“I’d prefer all of us to be together, but I understand. I know you’ll take care of me.” I suck in my bottom lip between my teeth, hiding my frown the best I can. Nolan surprises me by pulling me to him and engulfing me in a hug I had no idea I needed.

I inhale a breath of his delectable apple scent, wishing I could bottle it up to help my nerves at any time. At least burying my nose against his throat will do for now, his potent scent gland touching my skin.

“This will be fast. You can just make a quick statement, and then we’ll leave. They have video evidence. They just want to hear the situation from your viewpoint.” Nolan rubs his big hand against my back, and I linger in his arms. I bet he would carry me inside if I asked him to, but maintaining my independence is important to me. Especially now.

“Let’s get this over with.” I try to pull away from Nolan, but his arms tighten even more.

His sudden change in demeanor catches me off guard, and I twist to look behind me, feeling as if I’m now being watched.

“Fucking bastards. They’re not supposed to be out. I had confirmation from Pack Loomis that they would not be bailed out of this mess.” Nolan steps backward, pulling me with him.

It takes a moment for his words to register in my mind. I know they’re not for me, though. Both Jensen and Lucas move closer, practically caging me in with their bodies.

“I’ll reach out to Pack Loomis right now. Just get Cali inside. It looks like they have a driver.” Lucas touches my chin, getting me to look at him. His hazel eyes attempt to capture mine, but my gaze refuses. My instincts don’t want me to let my guard down. “Ignore them the best you can. They want your attention. They want to mess with you. Don’t let them.”

I blow out a breath. “It might be too late,” I whisper.

Nolan slides his arm around my back, pulling me closer to his side while Jensen flanks my other side. “You’re stronger than that. I’ve seen how feisty you can be. Just know that you’re above them. They just want what they can’t have. Got it?”

I only respond with a nod.

I don’t feel strong right now.

I feel as if I was a fool for ever thinking I could be independent.

I’ve never been more ashamed in my life.

20

Pack Troubles