Page 28 of Knotting else Matters

“It’s not your fault.” I forced a smile, nudging her shoulder with mine. “I’m a big girl. I can handle a few passive-aggressive barbs. Besides, if I let her get to me every time, I’d be a mess.”

“Still…” Her voice trailed off, her bright blue eyes meeting mine again, a faint, worried shadow lingering there.

“Hey.” I reached out, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “I survived. I always do.”

Sophie’s smile returned, soft but a little sad. “I know. I just wish you didn’t have to.”

The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped out into the bustling lobby, the warm sunlight streaming through the tall glass windows, casting a golden glow over the polished marble floors. The valet had already pulled Sophie’s car around, and we slipped inside, the soft hum of the engine a comfortable background noise.

“So, lunch?” Sophie asked, a little too brightly. “I was thinking that little café by the lake. The one with the amazing paninis?”

“Sounds perfect.” I leaned back, letting the cool leather of the seat press against me.

As we pulled onto the main road, Sophie’s fingers drummed lightly against the steering wheel, her gaze flicking toward me now and then, curiosity and concern mingling in her eyes.

“So… last night,” she began, her voice careful. “I, um… I hope you got back to the hotel okay. I mean, I know Adrian drove you.”

My pulse jumped, and I fought the ridiculous urge to burst out laughing. If only she knew just how okay I’d been after Adrian drove me back.

“Yeah, he was…” I paused, trying to keep my face neutral. “He was polite. You know, in that grumpy, ‘I-take-myself-too-seriously’ kind of way.”

Sophie giggled, her shoulders relaxing. “Yeah, that sounds like him. I kind of got the feeling you two don’t really get along.”

Understatement of the century. Or at least it would’ve been if I hadn’t spent the entire night tangled up in his arms, gasping his name, feeling his hands claim every inch of me.

“Maybe he just needs to lighten up,” I suggested, forcing a casual shrug, though the smile tugging at my lips was impossible to hide.

“You think so?” Sophie glanced at me, her head tilted with that sweet, curious expression that always made me want to protect her. “He’s always been so serious. I think it’s the whole ‘Alpha’ thing.”

“Yeah, definitely the Alpha thing,” I muttered, my gaze drifting out the window, a flood of memories from last night crashing over me—his rough, possessive touch, his deep, hungry voice growling my name, his lips tracing fire across my skin.

“Liv?”

I snapped back, blinking, and Sophie was staring at me, her brow furrowed.

“Huh?”

“I was just saying that I hope you two can get along. I mean, he can be a little… intense, but he’s really a good guy. And he’s done so much for the pack.”

“Yeah. A real hero.” I bit back a laugh, the heat still lingering in my cheeks. If Sophie had any idea what her Alpha had been doing to me last night… well, that would make for an interesting rehearsal dinner conversation.

“So, did you two talk much on the drive back?” Sophie asked, her voice light, casual, but there was a curious edge there.

“Oh, you know, the usual.” I forced another smile, trying to keep my voice even. “Pack politics, the weather, his apparent allergy to dessert.”

Sophie laughed, shaking her head. “That’s so him. So serious all the time.”

“Yeah.” I leaned back, crossing my legs, my fingers tracing a slow circle against the leather seat, a small, satisfied smile pulling at my lips.

Lunch was supposed to be a nice, quiet escape—just me and Sophie, a little sisterly bonding to wash away the lingering sting of last night’s dinner. But the second we stepped into the bright, bustling café by the lake, Sophie’s face lit up, and she waved eagerly at someone across the room.

“Liv, this is Ada!” Sophie beamed, practically dragging me over to a sunny table near the window, where a stunning woman rose to greet us.

Ada was breathtaking—tall, with smooth, rich chocolate skin that practically glowed under the sunlight filtering through the window. Her long, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the vibrant yellow dress she wore seemed to catch and reflect every ray of light, making her look like a living burst of sunshine.

“Olivia!” Ada’s smile was warm, her voice a soft, melodic hum. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Hope it’s all good,” I replied, trying to force a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

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