Page 8 of Her Knotty Alphas

Which isn't a very good comparison because she's tiny, and I could probably throw her really, really far.

So I don't trust her as far asshecan throwme. Which would be…not far at all.

The only thing that still gives me pause is that she knew about Hannah and I then, when she was so adamant about her brother not knowing. As far as I know, she and her stepsisters were never close. When she left, she disconnected all her social media so I couldn't even figure it out from that.

Tonight. Tonight I'll get answers and maybe I'll finally be able to track Hannah down. Make her realize that she's never stopped being mine.

Chapter 5

Hannah

Releasing the last strand of freshly washed and dried hair from the curling iron, I cup the coil in my hand, letting it cool. My rosy-pink hair has started to grow out, my brown roots coming in, and I've let it, embracing the ombre effect it has. It's getting a little too long to be manageable, so I might cut it soon. Maybe something shoulder-length.

Pursing my lips, I release the curl and let it fall with the rest of my hair, finger-combing into gentle waves.

There. Now I just have to finish my makeup and I can get dressed.

The mirror in my bathroom—one of those retro-looking ones with huge light bulbs lining the frame—illuminates my face as I start to put on my makeup. A smoky, sultry, eye. A dab of blush. Neutral lips.

While I finish my makeup, I listen to the voicemail that was left on my phone three months ago on speaker for the hundredth time. Nana's voice echoes in the small bathroom.

"Hi there Nana."It was a joke we had. We were "the Nanas". A play on an old nickname for me, Hannah-Banana, and thename my stepsisters started calling her before they even knew me."You don't have to worry about calling me back, I just wanted to check in and see how you're settling into your new apartment. I'm hoping it's better than the last one."

A hacking fit of coughing takes over for a second, and I wince, regardless of the fact I've heard a hundred times. Nana's weathered voice keeps going."I wondered if you've met any of your neighbors. I worry, with you living all alone. Now, I know what you're going to say…you're an adult, and you're fine. But, blood or not, I'm still your Nana, and it's my right to be worried. I do want you to know that I love you, and I'm proud of you, Hannah. You're so damn strong, and…"More coughing."I know you'll find your pack. The ones that are perfect for you— oh?"There's a voice in the background, and Nana stops talking for a minute."Okay, I have to go, Netty says the bridge game is about to start. But I love you! Talk soon."

The voicemail comes to an end, like it always does, a bittersweet feeling taking over my chest. The last voicemail Nana ever left me, a month before she passed. Part of me wishes I had missed more calls throughout our time together, so I'd have more voicemails to listen to. The other part of me is glad I got to have so many conversations with her. I try not to think about how I'm not sure I evendodeserve a pack anymore, despite her words. There has to be something fundamentally wrong with me, right? Who the hell gets rejected so many times unless there's something…broken? On the counter, my phone still sits with the screen on, unopened voicemails from my two step-sisters taunting me. One of them is from when Cat called me after my heat, and the other came in yesterday.

I have no idea what the hell they want, but they certainly aren't just calling to say hi. Ugh. They can wait until after the party.

I check the mirror one more time, assessing myself. I look good. I certainly don't look like I've been rejected by twenty-three packs. I've had three days of rest since my heat ended, and I look good as new. The bags under my eyes are gone, my green eyes are bright, and there's a rosy glow to my cheeks—though that can be attributed to the blush I just put on.

Satisfied with my appearance for now, I leave the bathroom to enter my nest, which is really just the rest of my studio apartment. It's not as fancy as some of the ones I've seen in the articles ABO Magazine puts out, but it's filled to the brim with all things sparkly, fuzzy, or pink. Sure, the queen sized mattress sits on the floor, and my fairy lights are kind of haphazardly drooped around the ceiling, and maybe my favorite blanket has a few too many holes in it.

But it's mine.

The rack next to my bed looks like it might fall over under the weight of all my clothes, so I hold the support bar in just the right place as I flip through my options, making sure it doesn't tip over.

A retro polka-dot dress? Nah. A business-casual, silky button down? Meh. A slinky black number? Too sexy. Ah. There. I pull out the perfect outfit for this evening. Cute but casual, the dark gray jumper will be perfect for the weather. Paired with a low heel and a pearl necklace, I'm ready to go help Cady with her own look. I stuff my keys and phone into the pockets of my jumpsuit, a huge selling point on this particular garment for me.

Leaving my apartment and heading downstairs, I walk to the perfectly acceptable four-door sedan I've had for the last four years. Nana surprised me with it for my twenty-fifth birthday, which I suppose should have been the first clue that she had more money than I realized.

The drive to the De Lucca residence is only about fifteen minutes, and I pull up to the house at about five thirty. I'm cutting it a little close time wise, but I didn't get off work untilfour. Cady is walking down the front steps to meet me before I even get out of the car.

"Hannah-Banana! Come make me pretty!" She already looks beautiful, despite the fact that her blonde hair is piled up high on her head in a bun and her outfit is her standard leggings and cardigan combination. She's positively glowing, pack life really does suit her.

I meet her halfway, accepting the hug she folds me into. My omega purrs in my chest, thankful to have such a sweet friend.

"Hey, are you okay?" She pulls back, holding me by my shoulders as she looks at me. "Was your heatthatbad?"

Blinking back the tears I didn't even realize were rising, I shake my head. "No more than usual. Though I did report one of the alphas helping me. Asshole was more interested in his own pleasure than what he was actually there for."

A growl rips out from behind us, and I glance at Titus with raised brows. They've kind of adopted me over the last few months, especially since Nana passed. Ollie says he's accepted me as his "fourth little sister" and uses Cady's nickname for me, but shortened, so now I'm just "Banana". Titus won't admit it, but he seems to be the most protective, at least according to Cady.

"You got a name?" He grunts, his mouth set in a tight line.

"Henry, but—"

"On it. I'll have Jameson look into him. We'll get him blacklisted and make sure he never 'helps' any other omega."

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