Page 12 of Her Knotty Alphas

Fresh, clean…mine. My eyes dart to Austin, who's coming up behind Enzo, and he stutters to a stop before another voice, one that I haven't heard for twelve years pulls me out of my daze.

His words are like a shock to my system. "Mags, is that you?"

Charlie Williams. He looks so,sogood. His electric blue eyes hold me captive just like they did so many years ago. A light blue button up contrasts against his warm, deep bronze skin and brings out his eyes, the fabric pulling tight over his muscles.

He's peering around Austin, and Ollie looks at him in confusion. "No, that's Hannah, Cady's best friend."

Why is he here? Hecan'tbe here. Cady would have never been in contact with him without telling me. I've steered clear of any mention of him for the last decade for a reason. He doesn't even know that I've designated as an omega. My heart is pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. Two scent matches and the guy I never got over all in one place? It's too much.

It's too fucking much.

This is what I've always wanted. A pack.Truescent matches. But…didn't Enzo already have a scent match? What if this isn't real or some kind of fluke? And Austin? He doesn't want me. Not really—he's already proved as much. And why would he? I'm just a fucking broken omega. There has to be a reason why I've been rejected by so many different packs. When Enzo gets to know me, he'll realize that and he won't want me either.

Tears sting my eyes as I shake my head, I take a step back. "Hannah…" Enzo's voice is pained as I take another step, and Austin steps forward like he's going to follow me. I can't stop the high pitched omega-whine that leaves me, halting the alpha in his tracks.

"I…I can't. It's too much."You don't want me.

Charlie comes up next to Austin, and thank goodness he's not close enough for me to scent his coconut and sandalwood signature, otherwise I might break. "Hannah…baby, don't—"That's what does it, brings out my fight or flight response, and there's only one thing I'm capable of at the moment.

"Don't call me that," is all I can get out before a sob rips out of my chest, and I run. I run past the towering axe-murderer Halloween decoration, down the side yard, and let myself out of the side gate. I run, and run, and run. Straight to my car, where I fumble my keys out of my pocket and start the engine.

My mind races as I rip out of the driveway and speed down the street. What the fuck is Charlie doing in Starbrook City? That's what's throwing me. He has no reason to be here.

Then there's Enzo and Austin…I can't believe it. Why would fate give me a scent match that already made it clear he didn't want me? And Enzo? Alphas can't have two scent matches, everyone knows that. It has to be some kind of mistake, and if I let myself get my hopes up…no. That will not be happening.

I feel like if Charlie hadn't been there I would have been able to face them, talk to them. Calmly explain to them that I'm not sure if I'm good enough to be their scent match. They deserve better than an omega who's been rejected so many times. A broken omega. Even if I have no idea what's wrong with me.

I can't get my hopes up again, only for them to get crushed in the end. True scent match or not, this will turn out like it always does, with my heart broken.

Chapter 7

Enzo

Idon't understand. Hannah…Hannah is my true scent match. But how can that be possible? I thought Lizzie…she was my match. My packmates and I all felt the pull. But…what I felt for Lizzie is nothing compared to the pull I feel towards Hannah. Peaches and brown sugar. Warm and inviting, and so fuckingmine.

And what of my old pack? Is Hannah scent matched with them too?

There's something off about this whole situation, I just don't know what it is.

The ginger alpha behind me stares after the omega as she disappears around the corner, and then, as if shaking himself out of a daze, he makes a move to go after her.

Don't get me wrong, I'm itching to go after her too, but more than that, my protective nature is surging for the little omega. It's obvious she's more than a little overwhelmed and chasing her in this state may only push her away.

I can't let him go after her. There's something bigger at play here than either of us realize. So even though I'm probably a good ten years older, it's not hard for me to put out an arm, stopping him in his tracks as he steps forward. His scent floods my senses—lemon and mint. A scent that feels familiar, somehow. Shit. Could he be her scent match too?

"What're you doin'?" he asks incredulously, his Southern accent thickening. "That's…that's my omega! I can't just—"

Well, I suppose that answersthatquestion. "Ouromega," I rumble, cutting him off.

"Yours too?" His eyes widen as he seems to really look at me for the first time. "So you should understand that we—"

"I want to go after her too, but she's clearly overwhelmed at the moment, pup." His cheeks redden at the term older alphas reserve for younger ones, but he doesn't try to argue. "We need to come to her onherterms—"

"Wait a minute." The other alpha my brother's packmate brought out with him approaches us. I had nearly forgotten they were out here. Him being so close to my omega's scentshouldsend me into a protective alpha rage, but…instead I feel calmer with him near, his coconut and sandalwood scent making me settle. "Mags—I mean, Hannah is…yours? She's an omega?"

Ollie's eyes are widening with apparent glee as he takes in the conversation.

"It would seem that way," the ginger alpha furrows his brows, looking to the other alpha, "I apologize, what was your name again?"

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