Page 9 of Her Knotty Alphas

It doesn't mean anything. Alphas can't help but want to help omegas as a whole, especially when that omega is someone special totheiromega.

"Just let him feel like he's doing something to help," Cady whispers, shooting her alpha a knowing look. "He wants everyone to think he's a grump, but he's really just a big softie."

I shoot him a grateful smile. "Thanks. I'm glad no other omegas will be forced to have a horrible heat because of him."

He reddens slightly and rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah. Uh, don't mention it."

Then, just as quickly as he appeared, he disappears back into the house.

Cady chuckles and shakes her head. "Come on," she loops her arm through mine, "you can tell me all about it while you make me beautiful."

I let her guide me into the house, rolling my eyes at her as we walk up the stairs. "You're already beautiful, Cades."

"Oh, so I'm good to go to the party just like this?" She arches a brow at me. "Messy bun and all?"

"You could show up in a burlap sack and your pack would still be all over you."

"Oh, is that a thing?" Ollie passes us on the stairs, a goofy grin on his face. "Burlap sacks? I could get into that."

Cady and I giggle as I roll my eyes again. "See?"

"Yeah, yeah, fine." She waves me off. "Okay, rephrasing: Let's go make me acceptable to the general public."

I could yet again tell her that half the general public would fall to their knees at the sight of her, but instead I just shake my head. "Yeah. Let's go."

Chapter 6

Hannah

Hair and makeup take a little longer than I thought, and the party is in full swing by the time we make it downstairs. Loud music pumps out of speakers, the house filled with people I've never seen before.

"I didn't know Titus had this many friends!" I nearly shout over the music, and Cady throws her head back, her laugh loud and carefree.

"They're mostly work friends and friends of the pack," she says loudly. "I've never really been able to go all out for someone's birthday party, you know? You should see what I have planned for Halloween in a couple of weeks!"

Suddenly, the music turns off, and is quickly replaced by a different song. Cady and I exchange a confused look and keep walking down the stairs, just in time to catch Ollie and Archie, both at least a little buzzed, holding microphones that are plugged in a karaoke machine, and singing along to the words on the TV screen.

"Oh my gods." Cady slaps a hand over her mouth, suppressing a laugh. "Ollie said he couldn't sing, but I didn't think it was this bad!"

Ollie half-yells into the microphone, off-key andverypitchy,"I kissed my girl and I liked it!"He points a finger directly at Cady.

"Those aren't even the words." She laughs.

Then Archie jumps in, winking at Mattie, who is standing off to the side with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face."Hope my alpha don't mind it."

"This is the worst version of this song I've ever heard." Simon's voice sounds behind us, and Cady squeals before turning in a circle for him.

"Look what Hannah did!"

"You look beautiful, sweetheart. As always." Simon leans down and gives her a kiss.

"Hey! I just did that makeup, don't go messing it up." I give him a dirty look, but it's all in good fun.

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," he takes a step back and draws an "x" over his heart with his finger, "cross my heart."

"Cady, we need you!" Suddenly, Ollie is next to us, grabbing Cady's hand and dragging her over to the karaoke machine. I watch after them, my heart clenching as Ollie twirls her around, and Archie comes on her other side, making her the filling in an Archie-Ollie sandwich as they dance.

Gods, I want that. Not the specific men, but for someone to want me. Someones.

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