Page 24 of In Knots

“We’re the Highwaymen. This club’s been going a long time. We were recruited by some older guys back in the day, but they’ve moved on now. Got mates and kids and stuff. They don’t come out riding with us so much anymore.”

“So, the club is bigger than the pack.”

“Officially, yeah. In reality, most of the time it’s us four.”

It doesn’t really sound like there’s any room for anyone else. Someone like me. Not that I’m giving that any serious thought. I’m not sure where I think these conversations are going to lead. What I think I’m doing.

A heavy weight settles on my chest just thinking about that and I bury my nails into the flesh of my thigh.

“I’ve got to go,” I say.

“Sweet dreams, princess.”

* * *

The days pass under the tight scrutiny of Jonathan until before I know it, it’s the day of the date. My mother’s booked me into the salon where they cut and style my hair, wax every hair on my body, paint my nails and shape my eyebrows. My mother sits on a seat at the front of the shop, flicking through magazines and taking calls from the foundation. She’s sacrificed the whole of her day to ensure I look my best, and she reminds me of this every time I wince or give a noncommittal answer to the stylist’s questions. Every step of the way, she inspects me, letting the stylist know if there’s more she needs to do. Finally, the ordeal is over, and I’m escorted back to the car and driven home to get dressed.

“Remember,” my mother tells me as we sit together on the back seat of the Bentley, “smile, listen, be attentive. For goodness sake, Alexa, don’t let that mind of yours wander, and sit up straight. You have nice shoulders, a lovely neck, when you’re not slouching.” She smiles to herself. “I really do think this could be the match. I have a good feeling about this. He certainly seemed taken with you at the Johnson’s and you know your father has spoken to his father. Had a little chat about his son’s intentions. He’s very much on the lookout for an omega to settle down with.” Excitement rings in her voice and inwardly I groan so hard it revives the usual ache in my stomach.

My mother peers at her watch. “Two hours before he picks you up. Plenty of time to get dressed and have a little snack. You don’t want to be shovelling food into your mouth in front of the alpha. Better to nibble and leave a little on your plate. Men don’t like women who eat like pigs.”

I suppose this is a subtle way of reminding me not to order dessert.

I stare out of the window, a haze of heat hovering above the baking pavements. Not a cloud in the sky yet again, the grass on the verges brown and brittle.

My mother spends the next two hours fussing and pruning over me, and my father comes to inspect me right before the alpha is due. He nods his head. “Very nice, Alexa. I’m sure you’ll dazzle him.”

He kisses the crown of my head and then squeezes my mother’s hand, right before the doorbell rings.

My parents’ excitement isn’t infectious and oh how I wish it was. It would all be so much easier if I could feel it too. If I could feel anything more than passive to the thought of a date with this alpha.

Maybe things will change when we spend some time alone together. Maybe some kind of miracle will happen, and I’ll experience that flicker of interest. If I could just fall for him like everyone wants me to.

I follow my mother down the sweeping staircase and overhear my father and Simon speaking by the doorway.

“We are really hoping the two of you hit it off,” my father says.

“So am I, Sir.”

“And I know your father hopes for similar things. Combining our families would please both of us very much.”

“I know, Sir, and it would be an honour to join this family.”

The conversation halts as they notice our approach and turn to watch us descend.

Simon’s wearing a grey suit with a white shirt and a plain tie tight at his neck. In his hand he has a bouquet of pink roses, the aroma sickly sweet in the warm air. He steps forward and rests his free hand on my waist, kissing my cheek. His lips are wet and his scent dull and flat. Inside, I feel that first crushing weight of disappointment.

“I bought you these,” he says with a subdued smile, his gaze flicking down my body. He offers me the flowers and I take them from him.

I glance towards my mother and she nods her head slightly. I jerk, burying my nose in the flowerheads and pretending to smell. “They’re lovely,” I say. “Thank you.”

“I’ll put them in water for you,” my mother says, taking them from me. “Have a lovely evening you two.”

My father opens the front door and with his hand on my elbow, Simon leads me outside and to his vehicle – a flashy red sports car. Brand new by the looks of things.

Leading me around to the passenger side, he opens the door for me and I slip onto the leather seat. The smell inside is of new leather and plastic plus the artificial stink from the fresheners they use in showrooms.

I crank down the window.

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