Page 26 of Trick Knot Treat

“Yes, you see, I know you matched with Felix, but he wasn’t meant to be your match.”

Jace’s face gets carefully blank. “But he is.”

“But he shouldn’t have been.”

“But he is my match.”

“I’m just saying that Asher-”

“Is not my match.”

Jace keeps smiling politely, but he is not letting her win this argument, and I am impressed with his resolution.

Behind Jace, where neither he nor Lorelei can see, Felix appears. He slows, glancing around quickly before his lips turn down, and he glares at us.

“It’s just that we really think that Asher should be the one-”

Felix flinches and takes a half a step back.

“Actually, I think that Jace, Felix, Zaire, and Clint are going to make a wonderful pack. It was inspired of you.”

Lorelei turns to me, frowning. “Really, Keisha? How do you even know them?”

I have to smother a laugh at her absolute confusion. “Zaire is my neighbour and friend.”

“Zaire has friends?” Lorelei asks in shock.

“Of course, he has friends. He’s an amazing alpha, all cuddly and kind. Zaire has this dog named Spectre, and he likes to walk a lot, and he knows so much about the bush. He’s a really amazing person.”

She stares at me like I’ve grown another head. “Do you have an alpha?”

I laugh, I can’t help it. “No, I am very, very single.”

“Can I sign you up for the Christmas event?”

“Sadly, I’m going to have to decline. I need to head home at the end of this event. But don’t worry, I will have the commission done before I go.”

Her mouth turns down. “You should have said something. I would have found you the perfect alpha. There are heaps of singles looking for love.”

“Ah, I’m not really looking, to be honest,” I say, lying through my teeth. I would love to be matched up, but there’s the small fact that I am forbidden from falling in love. Should never have made that deal.

There’s an omega and an alpha staring holes into the side of my head, and it’s getting harder and harder to remember my first name. Clearly, whatever Lorelei has is contagious.

“All right, I will let you off this once but only because I love these painted rocks. They are so cute.” She turns to Jace and frowns. “Since you won’t help me with Asher, I want you to at least promise me that you will be kind to Felix.”

Jace and I stiffen.

“Why wouldn’t I be kind to him?”

“He’s a male omega. There is a whole lot of prejudice about it still. I just want to make sure that he’s going to be treated kindly.”

“Have you had this conversation with all his matches?” Jace asks in a carefully blank voice.

Lorelei turns and picks up her book of ideas, fussing with the pages. “I tried to talk to them, they weren’t interested or good people. The last one just laughed at me. Felix wants to be loved. He always has been. He might look like the more independent of the two, but it’s Asher who is the strong, independent one. Felix is sensitive, and when he gets hurt, it really hurts him.”

I glance at the doorway and find that the omega in question has disappeared. I really wish he hadn’t heard any of that.

My sensitive boys. I shake my head. I’m definitely going to help them with this dating thing. Zaire and Felix would be perfect for each other, they just need someone to translate. I peek at Jace.