Page 32 of Knotting else Matters

“Both, actually.” He grinned, his blue eyes—so much lighter than mine—practically glowing with excitement. “You have to admit, it’s going to be amazing. Family, friends, the pack all together. A perfect day.”

“Sure. Perfect.” I grunted, lifting the weights, feeling the familiar burn settle into my arms.

“And you know, the Valery family is coming too,” Karl added, his tone turning just a bit too casual.

I didn’t miss the hint of something beneath his words, and I shot him a glare. “Should I be impressed?”

“Well, they’re bringing their daughter. The unclaimed Omega.”

A low, warning growl slipped from me before I could stop it. “Karl.”

“What? I’m just saying.” He shrugged, switching to a different set, but I could see the grin tugging at his mouth. “Maybe it’s time you considered settling down. You’re pushing forty, brother.”

I dropped the weights with a loud, controlled thud. “Mating is the last thing on my mind.”

“Really?” Karl’s grin widened, his gaze shifting to me, sharp with that familiar teasing glint. “And what’s wrong with a perfectly sweet, submissive Omega? Valery’s daughter is practically perfect—twenty-five, polite, trained to be the perfect mate. And she’d be more than happy to serve an Alpha.”

“Oh, yes, the dream.” My voice dripped with sarcasm. “An obedient little Omega who wants nothing more than to pop out pups and bow at my feet.”

“Horrifying,” Karl mocked, rolling his eyes. “The tragedy of being adored.”

“I’m not interested.” My voice was sharp, a low snarl threading beneath the words. “If I were to even consider someone, it wouldn’t be some wide-eyed girl who thinks being an Alpha’s mate is a fairy tale.”

“Oh? So what would it be then?” Karl leaned against the bench, his grin shifting to something more curious. “Come on, big brother. What’s your type, then?”

“My type?” I exhaled, my fingers tightening around the towel. “Someone with a backbone. Someone who won’t just smile and nod, who can actually hold a conversation without blushing every five seconds. Someone who’s lived a little, who knows how to stand on her own two feet.”

Karl’s grin grew wider. “So… not a doe-eyed Omega, then?”

“Not even close.” I leaned back, the tension in my chest easing slightly. “She’d have to be smart, sharp-witted. Not afraid to argue. Not afraid to tell me when I’m being an ass. And she wouldn’t be interested in spending my money at every opportunity.”

“Wow. I didn’t realize you were looking for a challenge, big brother.”

“I’m not looking for anything.” I muttered, grabbing my water bottle and taking a long, slow sip. But even as the cold water slid down my throat, my mind was racing—an image flickering behind my eyelids.

Dark, wild hair. Sharp green eyes that seemed to dance with every sarcastic remark. A fierce, wicked smile that could cut like a knife. And the way she stood toe-to-toe with me, never backing down, always pushing, always challenging.

Olivia.

No. No, that was ridiculous. She was chaos wrapped in leather and a sharp tongue. A temporary mistake. A distraction.

“You look like you’re thinking way too hard.” Karl’s voice broke through the haze of my thoughts.

“I’m thinking you should stop trying to play matchmaker,” I snapped, a little too harshly.

“Touchy,” Karl teased, but he set the dumbbells aside, grabbing his towel. “Fine, fine. But seriously, Adrian, you can’t just spend your whole life in this hotel, running the pack and pretending you don’t want anything more.”

“I’m not pretending. I’m just not desperate enough to settle for a twenty-five-year-old Omega with stars in her eyes.”

Karl chuckled, standing and stretching, his expression still light, but his voice softened just a bit. “Whatever you say. Just don’t wait too long, big brother. The perfect one might slip right through your fingers.”

I watched him stroll out of the gym, his lighthearted laughter fading as the door swung shut behind him.

Perfect. Right. As if I even believed in that. As if I wanted that.

But Karl didn’t seem ready to let the conversation drop. He leaned against the wall, stretching his arms, that familiar, easy smile still on his face. “So, Olivia’s staying at the hotel, huh? Thanks for letting her crash here. I know she’s… well, she’s had a rough time.”

“She’s not crashing. She’s a guest like anyone else.” I kept my voice calm, neutral, but even I could hear the faint edge in my tone.

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