Page 6 of Her Knotty Alphas

"I'm twenty-nine." Her voice sounds a little breathy, and it fills my mind with too many ideas about how she'd sound inothersituations.

"I'm thirteen years older than you." I make a point to check my hair in the mirror quickly so I don't have to meet her eyes when I say this next part. "Forty-two."

A little gasp leaves her, but when I turn back to face her, it's not disgust or horror on her face. I don't even know what to call it but her pupils are larger, and her little flush is back on her cheeks.

If I stay here one moment longer, I'm going to do something I'll regret. "Thank you for haircut,preciosa," I murmur before heading for the door, the nickname spilling out without my consent.

I don't look back…no. Ican'tlook back as I leave. As soon as I'm out of the building and walking down the street, it's like a little bubble has popped and all of my worries come spilling in. Am I betraying my true scent match by having these feelings for another omega?

Lizzie left us. She didn't want us.

I have to remember that. As Titus told me, I shouldn't keep punishing myself for something that was out of my control. We don't know why Lizzie left. Why she 'couldn't do it anymore', and we likely never will.

Perhaps I could talk to my brother some more tonight at his party. The thought still makes me laugh, my little brother, so serious all the time, having a birthday party. But his omega, Cady, does something special to him.

She's the one who reached out to me a few months ago about reconnecting with my brother. Little did she know, I had already accepted a job at Starbrook University, as their new Criminology Professor. My career as a federal agent was chaotic enough that I was hardly ever able to see my brother the last fifteen years, but it at least kept me from thinking too much about the way my pack failed so spectacularly.

I had taken a bullet to the knee a year ago, forcing my early retirement. I'm just glad I no longer need the cane to walk without hurting now, lest Hannah really does see me as an old, decrepit man.

Tonight I'll talk to Titus, and see what he thinks. Maybe he can use that hacker of his to find out some more information on Lizzie Collins. I had never doubted that she was my scent match, but if what I felt for Hannah was really a hit of her scent coming through? No. I can't get ahead of myself. Until proven otherwise, Lizzieisour scent match. You don't get two.

But what if everything I thought I knew was wrong?

Chapter 4

Charlie

Ifeel itchy being in the same city as Hannah again, my fingers tightening on the steering wheel as I follow the directions on my GPS. I haven't even seen her yet, but it's like my alpha is on high alert, looking for the girl we lost—and the woman she's become. Twelve years is a long-ass time to carry a torch for someone, but no matter what happened all those years ago, there's one thing I know with absolute certainty. I don't care if she never designated as an omega. If she's a beta, or even an alpha.

Hannah Beckham ismine.

The Lamborghini I'm driving is a bit too flashy for my taste, but I kind of got roped into it when my agent agreed to have me be the spokesperson for their new "Alpha-Size" line. When I pull into the parking lot of my destination, the large light-up sign that reads "Industrial Ink" has my pulse thrumming in anticipation. The artist doing my piece, Ollie Jacobs, is the most talented guy I've seen online.Andhe owns his own shop. We've been emailing back and forth since I booked my appointment—which was right after I orchestrated my trade to the Starbrook City Meteors NBA team.

Four months ago, the world was rocked when the identity of "The Knotty Omega", the author of the viral pack advice column, came to light. And it was none other than Cady Jackman. Or, Cady De Lucca, since she's bonded into her pack.

I still recognized her, though. Hannah's best friend since we were all kids. Even though she refused to tell me where Hannah disappeared to all those years ago, and her family was just as tight lipped, I finally figured it out. Two months ago, as part of an ABO Magazine anniversary post, there was a picture of Killian Roberts, one of the owners of the magazine, with an arm around Cady's shoulders, and half of Hannah's face in the background as she talked to someone else. It was from the press event where they revealed Cady's identity, and even though her hair was a rosy pink instead of the light brown I knew, I'd recognize those freckles and green eyes anywhere.

My Hannah.

Was it crazy to uproot my life and trade to a completely different team when I had no idea if she even actuallyliveshere, on the off chance I might run into her?

Definitely not one of my more sane moments.

But have I really been sane since the love of my life up and left twelve years ago without a word? Without a reason? Without any kind of explanation?

It's been driving me crazy.

Parking my car and heading inside, I take a good look around the shop, my eyes immediately drawn to the huge guy walking towards me.

"Hey, man! You Charlie?" A very blonde, very tattooed, intimidating as fuck alpha approaches me. He has gauges in his ears and a good inch on me in height. The only thing that stops me from immediately wondering if he's going to kick my ass is the goofy grin on his face. "Oh, shit, the same Charlie who just transferred to the Meteors."

"I am," I confirm, reaching out my hand for a handshake. "Ollie Jacobs?"

His hand grips mine firmly. "That's me…I mean…fuck." He shakes his head. "It's actually Ollie De Lucca now. I gotta get that changed on the website."

…De Lucca? Justhowcommon of a pack name is that?

Should I ask? What if he's one of Cady's alphas? Cady has to know where Hannah is, and if I can get her to tell me…

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