Page 27 of Knot Gonna Lie
“This is all mine?”
Wonder cascaded through me like starlight breaking through storm clouds. I couldn’t believe it, yet I should have anticipated such magnificence from the sleek elegance of their vessel—both exterior grandeur and interior sanctuary.
They’d transformed this ship into their home, their refuge—theirParadise.
“Yes,” he purred, brushing loose strands away from my temples. “We’ve kept this nest room prepared, waiting for the moment I’d have the honor of being chosen by an omega.”
“Is this common?” I’d never heard whispers of nest rooms until meeting him, yet here stretched a vast chamber dominated by the most enormous bed I’d ever witnessed, claiming an entire corner like a throne of comfort. Two sliding doors promised private bathroom and closet sanctuaries. The remaining space bloomed with oversized cushioned chairs beside a window spanning the entire wall like a portal to infinity—into thevastness of open space. “I thought omegas typically shared their alpha’s chambers.”
“If the clan lacks resources,” he replied, turning me to face a wall-length mirror that captured us both in its silvered embrace. “But if someone in my position hadn’t provided this for you, it would insult not only your worth but my character as well.”
He leaned closer, pressing his nose against my crown. I watched through the mirror as he closed his eyes and drew a reverent breath. Satisfaction rumbled from his chest as his calming essence—coconut and sunshine—wrapped around me like the warmest embrace.
“I doubt someone like you could ever damage his reputation.”
“Are you certain?”
His icy blue eyes snapped open, locking with mine in the mirror’s reflection. If not for the regret etched deep into his face, I might’ve found our position purely erotic. But the defeat threading his voice pierced straight through to my heart like a blade seeking its mark.
Had I made the wrong choice? Was his kindness merely performance?
“What do you mean?”
“How much does my name matter to you?” He pulled away as if my touch might burn him. “What if I was the wrong brother?”
“You aren’t Eli, the Coco Pharma product designer?” Confusion furrowed my brow as I searched my memory for fragments of conversations—both witnessed and overheard. “But Luca, the Coco Pharma delivery manager?”
“You’re correct,” he breathed, lifting hands toward me before halting mid-reach. His face contorted with pain, needing to offer comfort but refusing out of respect that I might no longer want his touch. “Unfortunately, my mother birthed me shortly after Eli, and we’re often mistaken for twins due to our similarappearance. When your caretaker approached me about your desire for my presence in the arena, the only way I could attend was by assuming my brother’s registered position. I reasoned if you didn’t choose me, no harm would be done—I could continue with business, never mentioning it to him. But since you did choose me, I’ve placed us both in this predicament. I needed to confess before anything between us progressed further.”
Shock held me motionless as I watched him through the mirror—watching me. His breathing came heavy and labored, awaiting my verdict to see if I’d change my mind. Yet how could I?
The alpha behind me already cared deeply enough about my feelings to confess before claiming me—binding me to his lie—knowing he couldn’t hide his true identity or prevent me from discovering the truth independently. If anything, this revelation only deepened my respect for him as a person, especially given the circumstances. I would have likely done the same in his position.
I couldn’t have continued living knowing I might have been with an omega who wanted me desperately enough to send her gamma in pursuit.
“What is a name?” I whispered, clutching a handful of my emerald dress just to keep from reaching for him. If I touched him now, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from kissing him. And I needed to say this—clearly, completely—before we crossed that line.
“If I were you, I would’ve done the same.” I lifted my gaze to meet his in full. “You may have used someone else’s name, but it wasn’t like you stole a stranger’s identity. Eli is your brother. You’re co-owners of the same company. You look enough alike that no one questioned you, and you’re the one who actually comes here for deliveries. It’s not far from the truth.”
I exhaled slowly, voice steady. “Honestly? That should’ve been caught by the gammas—not you.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it. “Does Quinn know?”
His silence gave me the answer before he did, but he nodded anyway. “She does.” A beat passed. “I warned her what I planned to do—and the risk it meant for both of us. She didn’t report it.” His voice dropped, full of quiet conviction. “She knew the consequences. But she also knew I wouldn’t survive hearing your name written in the stars…bound to another alpha. Another clan.”
He looked away, jaw tight. “I had one chance. One. And if I lost it—if I lostyou—because I played by the rules…” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have been able to live with that.”
My heart cracked wide open at the truth laid bare between us.
“If Quinn knew and still didn’t report it,” I said gently, “then she must’ve supported it. She knows how much I’vewantedyou—how long I would’vefoughtthat wanting. She wouldn’t have let us get this far if she didn’t believe you were right for me.”
His gaze snapped back to mine, and the relief there nearly undid me.
“After you claim me,” I said quietly, “you need to tell me everything. No more lies. No more secrets. If we’re doing this, it has to be real.”
He tensed, then stepped toward me like he couldn’t help himself. “You’re not going to reject me?” he asked, voice low. “Not going back to Quinn? Not entering the Den again?”
I shook my head. “I’m not foolish. I know there’ll be consequences. But I wantyou. I want to leave this place. I want my freedom.”
