Page 112 of Knotting the Cowboys

"Because running would have looked like guilt," Mavi says. "And because this is our home. Our ranch. We weren't going to let her chase us away from everything we'd built."

"So you stayed and endured it," I murmur, understanding flooding through me. The careful way they've courted me, the hesitation about pushing boundaries, the way they seem to expect rejection at every turn—it all makes horrible sense now.

"The rodeo," Austin continues, bringing us back to the present, "has been my family's tradition for generations. Even when I was working in Helena, I'd come back for it. It's theone piece of home that felt untouchable. But now, with this new rule..."

"Sarah's making sure you can't participate," I finish. "One more way to punish you for not being the Alphas she wanted you to be."

"It's petty," River says. "In the grand scheme of things, missing one dance isn't?—"

"It's not petty." The words come out sharp enough to surprise me. "It's cruel. It's taking something that matters to you and using it as a weapon. It's showing you that she still has power over your life even after everything."

I look between them—these men who've shown me nothing but kindness and respect, who've careful of my boundaries even when it cost them, who've been slowly teaching me that not all Alphas see Omegas as possessions or tools. The thought of someone hurting them, of using their capacity for love against them, makes something protective and fierce rise in my chest.

"But if you go," I say slowly, pieces clicking together in my mind, "if you show up with an Omega on your arm, keeping your tradition despite her grandfather's rules..."

"It's like saying she didn't win," Austin finishes, a small smile tugging at his lips. "That we've moved on."

"Payback?" River asks, catching my line of thinking.

"Payback," I confirm, feeling a grin spread across my face. "Against this Sarah chick who thought she could break you."

Austin blinks at my vehemence. "Well... I guess, yeah."

"Good!" The energy building in my chest needs outlet, needs action. "Make sure Luna's in bed and you're ready by eight."

I'm already moving toward the stairs, plans forming rapid-fire in my mind. What does one wear to make an ex-Omega jealous? Something that shows I'm not playing games, not pretending to be something I'm not. Something that says these are my Alphas now, and I protect what's mine.

"Willa?" Austin calls, confusion clear in his voice. "What are you doing?"

I pause at the bottom of the stairs, turning back with what I know is probably a wicked smile. "Getting ready for the rodeo, silly. Let's go make an Omega jealous."

The stunned silence that follows is deeply satisfying. I can see them processing—the shift from their explaining their pain to me taking charge, making their battle mine.

"Operation: Payback is in effect," I announce, unable to resist the dramatic flair. "Nobody messes with my pack."

My pack. The words slip out without thought, but I don't take them back. Because that's what they are, aren't they? These men who've been hurt but haven't let it make them cruel, who've offered me shelter and safety and the space to heal. Who've shown me what Alphas can be when they see Omegas as partners instead of possessions.

Sarah thought she broke them. The Mayor thinks he can control them. They're both about to learn what happens when you threaten someone under Willa James's protection.

I take the stairs two at a time, already mentally cataloging the new clothes River bought me today. That white romper is definitely coming out to play, and maybe some of that confidence I found on horseback this afternoon.

Behind me, I hear Austin's voice, soft with something that might be wonder:

"Did she just claim us as her pack?"

"I believe she did," River responds, and the warmth in his tone follows me up the stairs like a caress.

Tomorrow night, we're going dancing. And Sarah, wherever she is, is about to learn that her little games have consequences.

Because I might be new to this pack and still be figuring out where I fit, but one thing I know for certain:

Nobody hurts my Alphas and gets away with it.

Operation: Payback, indeed.

The Burn Behind The Rodeo

~AUSTIN~

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