Page 25 of Knot Your Romeo

“Approved,” Morrison says without hesitation. “And I’ll deal with Cerise.”

10

Emmie

I quickly change intodry clothes and look around the empty cottage. The thought of lying in bed replaying not only Romeo's words but also his girlfriend’s, makes my stomach clench.

I need to see Eli. There was something about him I liked. He’s possibly the kindest Alpha I have ever encountered. And he invited me to his cottage in the woods whenever I wanted to talk.

I think about Professor Benson’s words as I take the route through the estate’s gardens. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with flower beds transitioning seamlessly into more natural woodland areas.

It’s peaceful here.

The wind chimes grow louder as I follow the sound through the gardens, past the rose beds and toward the eastern edge of the estate.

Eli’s small cottage comes into view. Dozens of wind chimes hang from the covered porch, creating a symphony of gentle notes that carry through the air.

I should turn around, go home, but I don’t. Maybe it’s the Omega in me seeking comfort, or maybe I’m just desperate for Alpha contact that doesn’t come with ulterior motives.

I smile when I hear the soft sound of someone whistling nearby. Hoping it’s Eli, I follow the sound; I discover him kneeling beside a bed of herbs, his hands dark with soil as he carefully transplants seedlings.

He looks up as I approach, a genuine smile lighting his face. “Jolie. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you.”

He studies me for a moment, taking in my damp hair and the obvious distress I had tried to wipe from my face.

“You look upset. And you’re shaking.” When he speaks, his voice is gentle, lacking any of the commanding authority I associate with Alpha men.

I glance down at my hands and realize he’s right. My whole body is trembling, whether from cold or fear, I’m not sure.

“I’m fine,” I say. I think I am. The combination of Professor Benson’s support and the walk to this peaceful setting has done more for my mood than I expected.

“What are you planting?”

“Lavender,” he says, sitting back on his heels. “It is good for relaxation, and the bees love it. Plus, it makes excellent tea for settling nerves.”

I crouch down beside him, studying the delicate purple flowers. “You really do know everything about plants, don’t you?”

“Not everything,” he laughs. “But I’ve had a lot of time to learn. There’s something honest about gardening. If you put inthe work, provide the right conditions, things will grow. Much simpler than dealing with people.”

There’s something wistful in his tone that makes me study his profile more carefully. “Do you ever miss it? Dealing with people, I mean. Don’t you get lonely out here?”

Eli pauses in his planting, his green eyes meeting mine. “Sometimes,” he admits. “But loneliness is better than the alternative, in my experience.”

“What alternative?”

“Trusting someone and having them leave when something better comes along.” His voice is matter-of-fact, but I catch the old pain underneath. “At least plants are honest about their needs.”

I think about his story of Kate, the Omega who left him for her scent match. “Not everyone leaves,” I say softly.

“Don’t they?” He turns to face me fully, and there’s something vulnerable in his expression. “In my experience, people stay until they have a reason not to. And there’s always a reason, eventually.”

The cynicism in his words makes my chest ache. “That’s a sad way to live.”

“Let’s go inside,” Eli says, gesturing toward his cottage behind us. “Let me make you some tea.”

Every instinct I have screams at me to politely decline and go home. I consider why I came here. I don’t know this man, don’t know his intentions, but there’s something in Eli’s demeanor that feels safe. He has a calmness that Romeo completely lacks, and I sense that he’s offering comfort expecting nothing in return.

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