Page 29 of Knotting Hill
“Why so aggressive?" Cassidy asks. “It’s a natural thing.”
“If she is in the middle of her heat, then that means some fuckwit alpha has his bulging knot inside her and forgive me if that makes me a bit pissed off.”
“Jealous, you mean?” Cassidy asks with a smirk.
“Grrr.” I can’t answer that. I’m so jealous, I want to march over to Storm’s and show that alpha what a real knot is, along with a close-up of my fist.
I feel the tension ratchet up a notch when JP finally realises what’s going on. In his usual laidback state, Josh broods some more into his ubiquitous cup of coffee.
“Calm your tits,” she giggles. “Storm doesn’t do that.”
I blink. “Do what?”
“She doesn’t take an alpha during her heat. You can rest easier knowing she isn’t banging away like a bunny while you sit there with your dicks in your hands.”
The relief that floods me is genuine and welcome. “Fuck,” I mutter. “Really?”
Cassidy nods. “She is special, no doubt.”
“Wow,” JP breathes out, suddenly alive next to me. The excitement in the air is palpable. “You mean she hasnevertaken an alpha during her heat, or just doesn’t do it now? Or this time?”
“Stop with the questions. You’ve already made me spill more than the friend code would allow, and I only did it, so you didn’t go down there and make fools of yourselves with some possessive caveman attitude for no reason.” Then she fixes mewith a fierce glare. “But I hear some of you haven’t been quite so dick-in-hand as others.”
I sit up with a frown as JP and Josh turn their gazes to me as well. I squirm like I’m guilty, but I haven’t done anything. “Me?” I ask incredulously. “I have been the epitome of a saint.”
“Not according to my source,” she says sternly. “I said I would help you if you kept your dicks in your pants. I won’t unleash you on my best friend if you insist on acting like man-whores for the rest of your lives.”
“Back up,” I growl, getting pissed off at the accusation. “I haven’t done anything. Who is your source?”
We glare at each other for a few seconds. “I can’t say, but she saw you and Emma inelitelast night with your tongues down each other's throats and your hand up her skirt.”
“Emma?” I spit out and shudder. “Emma Franks?”
She nods warily as my temper has just shot into the red zone.
“Russ?” JP asks carefully.
“No!” I say, jabbing the table with my finger so hard, I think I might break it. “Whoever told you that is a liar and looking for trouble. Tell me right now who it was.” I wouldn’t touch Emma with a barge pole. Not anymore. Not since she cheated on me seven years ago before I became part of JP’s pack. We were serious, despite being so young. High school sweethearts and all that rubbish. I wanted to mate with her, and I thought that is what she wanted as well until she fell into bed with her brother’s best friend.
“Was it Emma?” I ask coldly.
Cassidy blinks. Her face has changed, so I think she knows she’s messed up, and that her ‘source’ has lied.
“Was it?” I ask, my voice getting louder.
She sighs. “Yeah, it was. I literally ran into her on my way here, and when she found out I was coming to meet you, she couldn’t wait to tell me.”
“It’s a lie,” I say quietly. “I said I wouldn’t do that to Storm, and I meant it, regardless of the fact that she doesn’t even know I exist yet.”
“Sorry,” Cassidy murmurs. “You know how the rumour mill is around Knotting Hill.”
The table goes quiet. I’m seething. I want to confront Emma about this and ask what the fuck she is playing at. She doesn’t get to fuck with my life anymore. Even if she didn’t know about Storm and how our pack is serious about her, she knew Cassidy was coming to meet me and deliberately messed with her.
“Let’s forget this and get back to ways we can get Storm to see us for who we really are,” JP says quietly, punching me lightly on the arm. His version of a hug. He knows that Emma destroyed me and that I have trust issues now. It’s why I saw red earlier when I thought about Storm with another alpha. Even though she is single and free to do whoever and whatever she likes, in my mind, she is ours.
“Romance,” Cassidy says. “She is a hopeless romantic. I’m not giving you ammo. Figure it out yourselves. But know that if you woo her like in the Romantic Comedy movies she loves so much, you will get her attention. I guarantee it.”
I nod stiffly, still fuming but trying to get over it to pay attention. “Is she allergic to anything?” I ask.
