Page 42 of Knot My Band: Part One
“Hey, Oli, mind if I sweep you off your feet?” A towering alpha with a cheeky grin steps up, gesturing for a pose.
I debate for a second before deciding, what’s the harm?
“Sure.”
He swings me up into his arms, and we grin for the picture.
From the corner of my eye, I catch a shift in the atmosphere.
Aiden, Jack, Chase, and Dax are glaring at the guy. The room is constantly pumped full of scent cancelers, so I can’t smell them, but it’s evident from their expressions they don’t like it.
I move him along, and the next alpha comes forward for a picture.
Their eyes follow each interaction, especially the ones with other alphas, and I can almost hear the low growl simmering in their chests.
I wave to Riley, who stops the flow of fans so I can go talk to the guys.
“Everything okay over there?” I ask.
“Fine,” they mutter, a combination of gruffness and forced smiles.
“Smile, you’re gonna scare away my fans,” I chide playfully.
“Your fans?” Chase teases back, leaning against the wall, arms crossed. “Last time I checked, we were part of the package deal.”
“Exactly! So stop growling and make them like you!”
“Do the other alphas have to touch you?” Jack asks, grumbling.
I roll my eyes. “I don’t go crazy when omegas pose with you. It’s not comfortable, but it’s the job.”
“Fine,” Jack grunts.
“We will do better,” Aiden adds.
We go back to our positions, but their stares remain locked on every alpha who approaches me like they’re ready to pounce.
“Oli, can you sign this?” Another eager face presents a vinyl album cover, and I’m back to business, scribbling my name with flair.
My attention is split now; half on the throng of adoring fans and half on the brooding alphas who look like they’re itching for a reason to turn this meet-and-greet into a standoff.
A hand snakes around my waist, a bit too firm, a bit too possessive for a casual fan photo. I flash my megawatt smile, but the alphas’ eyes are daggers aimed at the intrusive arm. They shift from foot to foot, their forced grins barely hiding the snarl that wants to escape.
“Great show tonight, Oli,” the alpha says, his voice a low rumble in my ear.
“Thanks,” I reply, untangling myself as gently as possible. “Glad you enjoyed it.”
The moment I step away, Jack slides in, a buffer between me and the next fan. His gaze is intense, telling me withoutwords that he’s on high alert. The air crackles with tension, and I can almost taste the alpha pheromones battling for dominance.
He’s a statue beside me, all hard lines and simmering anger.
“Oli,” he hisses once we’re out of earshot. “These alphas, they don’t know how to respect boundaries. You’re too open, too trusting.”
“Isn’t that the point of a meet-and-greet?” I tease, but there’s no laughter behind my words this time.
“Maybe,” he admits, a reluctant smirk tugging at his lips. “But you’re ours, Oli. Don’t forget that.”
Jack stays closer to me but lets the next fan come up. I’m sure it helps that she’s a beta woman.
