Page 43 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

I sighed, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Maybe later," I shot back, catching him slightly off guard. "There’s a charity art auction happening on Saturday, and… well. Wedoneed to schedule this week’s outing." The words came out more confident than I felt. "I need someone who can handle dressing up and won’t embarrass me in front of important people. Know anyone who might be up to the task?"

He leaned in, his lash lined eyes looking mischievous as he studied my face. “So… is this the ice cold princess method of asking me?”

Heat prickled at my cheeks, but I squared my shoulders. “Only if you think you can handle me for an entire night” I said nonchalantly, trying not to look at his chest and how much more detail I could see with the sheen of sweat across it. Why did he have to be half nude in here?

He laughed, low and warm, and I felt it all the way down to my toes. Did having a scent match mean I’d always be hyper attracted to anything and everything about these alphas?

“I’m absolutely up for the challenge.” His eyes sparkled with intrigue, and he tilted his head as he looked down at me. “But only if you promise not to fall for me by the end of the night. Or on me.” He added with a knowing smirk.

“Oh, please,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes, but my stomach flipped at the idea of being on him. “You wish you were that lucky.”

He shrugged, tossing the towel over his shoulder as he backed away. “Hey, I’m just giving you fair warning, princess. I’m even more charming than Liam, if you can believe it.” My face heated at his knowing remarks about what had happened when I was on my last date with Liam. I couldn’t think of a response as I fought against the intrusive fantasies about what it would be like to be doing those same things with Vigo. I swear he knew what I was thinking, because he looked over his shoulder at me one more time.

“Sure you don’t need a quick workout?” He asked with a sly smile, and I again rolled my eyes so hard they almost disappeared into another dimension. I turned to walk out, leaving him in there as I fought my hormones. I had a long day of work ahead of me, and I did not have time to get distracted.

Once I was back in my room and away from the pull of Vigo’s rich and heady scent, I fanned myself and sat down to think. I’d already slept with one pack member, and though it helped relieve so much of the sexual tension I’d been facing, I knew I had to finish up here and get what I needed before these omega hormones had me forgetting what was most important.

I needed proof they had kidnapped me, and I needed to know who leaked them that forged paperwork.

Since I was running into dead ends all the time, I figured it was time to admit that I needed some outside help. I made sure that no one was around my wing before locking myself into my room and calling the one person who might have an answer.

“Celeste? Are you okay?” Bella asked, concern in her voice as she immediately picked up my call.

“I’m alright, but it’s been difficult, to say the least.” I said with a sigh, not wanting to go into detail about just how complicated things were between myself and the pack. “I was wondering about that help you offered earlier - is that offer still on the table?” I asked, making sure not to mention anything specific over the phone.

“Oh, of course! Hold on real quick.” She said, and I heard her speak to someone. I heard a few deep voices in the background, and Bella answered me. “Call me back, but from a burner phone. Be somewhere that no one can hear you, preferably away from any homes, cars or other man made structures.” I nodded to myself, writing down the time she directed me to call her back. I knew Bella had some connections, but I wasn’t sure how much they could help. It sounded like they knew exactly how precarious my position was.

“Thanks, Bella. I’ll talk to you soon.” I said before gathering my things to head out and get an untraceable phone. I’d have to drive somewhere nearby, a park perhaps, where the area wouldn’t be bugged. I didn’t trust my room, or any place within the reach of Pack Lockwood to not have spying devices.

A few hours later, I was pacing under a tree while I told Bella my situation.

“I see. Here’s the plan: my guy can look up some dirt on you, but it will take a while. He already tried to access Pack Lockwood’s home wifi, but it’s extremely secure.” She said in a casual, happy voice. I was certain that this bubbly girl was the omega to a black ops pack, but I knew not to ask any details.

“That doesn’t surprise me. They will likely know if they are being hacked. I mean, Harringday competes with them, andwe both make some of the newest software on the market. I know they are phenomenal at information security.” I replied, but Bella wasn’t concerned.

“My guy is the best. It will just take some time. I’ll keep you posted once we find anything.” She said in an encouraging tone. I felt relief at the knowledge that someone was looking into the leak. I wasn’t planning on telling a soul what I was doing - my uncle was too blinded by his own confidence in his employees to consider the people I suspected. If I could find out what information Pack Lockwood had, we could hopefully trace their communication back to the individual who sent them the blackmail material.

I smiled, finally seeing a way forward. Pack Lockwood might be my scent matches, but they were still my enemies, deep down. Even if I was slowly beginning to wish they were anything but that.

Chapter 31

Vigo

A month ago I was certain that having Celeste around would be an absolute nightmare. I was also certain that her own hubris and cruelty would be easy to see, and make it all the more pleasurable to finally bring her down.

Now, I was barely sure of my own name, much less what Celeste was really like. Since she’d arrived she’d been an enigma, revealing only glimpses of herself beneath that icy, untouchable exterior.

And after smelling her scent, my whole world changed.

Suddenly, every moment I had spent near her, every time I had pretended to be her partner for the sake of our arrangement, every instance where I found myself watching her a little too closely - it all made sense. I had been drawn to her from the start, long before I understood why.

Even when I was supposed to hate her, I had been intrigued. Even when I knew the damage she and her company had done, I had been captivated. I’d been entranced by her beauty, and my mind was obsessed with her, not to mention my body. I’d been more attracted to her than any woman in my life, and been in denial until that sweet scent hit my nose, and everything became clear.

She was meant for me - the one woman I could never, and would never, have.

She’d surprised me by asking me to go on an outing with her, one that would benefit our arrangement and be of great personal use to me. The auction was a high class, invite only affair, and Celeste wanted to bring me as her date. It was a great opportunity to be seen, but all I could think about was her.

My scent match. My adversary.

---