Page 78 of Knot So Fast
"It appears we have an Omega in car three," Dex announces, his voice carefully neutral. "The question is: what mysterious woman is in the driver's seat, and why didn't anyone notice until this moment?"
Marcus jumps on the speculation immediately.
"This is unprecedented! A last-minute substitution that could either save Wolfe's career or end in spectacular disaster!"
"As long as she's truly female and an Omega," Dex continues, ever the voice of reason, "Lachlan won't be disqualified from thisyear's competition. However, that also depends on where they place in this race. The new rules require not just participation, but competitive performance."
I take a shaky breath, my heart hammering against my ribs for reasons that have nothing to do with pre-race adrenaline. Into the radio, I whisper her name like a prayer and a curse combined. "Auren. You really want to start a rebellion?"
The screen shows her car sliding into the final grid position,dead last,with all the confidence of someone who knows exactly what they're doing.
The seconds tick by before her voice returns, tinged with amusement.
"Rebel's her middle name," she says, and I can hear the smirk in her voice. "But if it makes you feel better, they don't know yet."
Her parents.
Of course.
Because stealing a Formula One car and entering a professional race without authorization isn't enough chaos—she has to do it behind her overprotective parents' backs too.
So grand of my Sugar. Always trying to give me high blood pressure.
I’m thankful my visor is still up so I can pinch the bridge of my nose through my helmet, feeling the migraine reaching new heights.
"I'm going to spank you when this is over."
Her laugh comes through the radio, bright and unrepentant.
"Only if it's not in front of an audience. Though that would be appealing for some naughty Formula One romance novels. Bad for PR though, probably."
Before I can respond to that mental image, my manager Terek's voice explodes through the channel, his usual composure completely shattered.
"Who the fuck is this chick, Lachlan? She your hoe or something?"
The words are barely out of his mouth when Auren responds, her voice dropping to a tone that could freeze hellfire.
"I'm his Omega, so you better put some respect in that tone or I'll force you to after I show you lot of fragile men how it's done."
"W-W-W-What?!" Terek stutters, his alpha bravado crumbling in the face of an Omega who clearly takes no shit from anyone.
I sigh deeply, knowing this is it—the moment everything changes. No taking it back, no pretending anymore.
"She's mine, Terek," I confirm, then let my voice drop to something dangerous. "And insult her again and I'm gonna kick your fucking ass."
That shuts everyone up with remarkable efficiency.
The team channel goes silent except for the sound of engines and the pre-race atmosphere filtering through. In that silence, the warning signals begin—the familiar sequence that means we're moments away from lights out and racing.
I stare at the starting lights mounted high above the track, their red glow reflecting off my visor. My world narrows to those lights, to the weight of the moment, to the woman in the car somewhere behind me who's about to either prove everyone wrong or die trying.
The first red light illuminates.
Then the second.
"Sugar," I whisper into the radio as the third light joins its companions.
"Yes, Wolf?" Her voice is softer now, matching my tone.
