Claiming Their Omega (Knot Her Pack #3)

1. Grace

Chapter 1

Grace

Rolling hills and plains, sandwiched by craggy mountains, rush by the car window as I gaze out from the passenger side.

It’s so odd, being back.

The small town of Sagebrush, Colorado isn’t that far from Denver, but it might as well be in another world, it’s so far from the flashing lights and hubbub of the city. I can’t decide if I’m soothed or anxious as I watch the picturesque scenery pass by.

“Small towns, big skies, huh?” William notes, adjusting his grip on the wheel.

Even though it’s my hometown we’re visiting on this road trip, William always likes to drive. I don’t usually mind, since I understand that it’s an Alpha thing. I’m just unusually antsy today.

“Yeah.”

“You sound wistful.”

“Not wistful, just… you know.”

William puts his hand on my knee and squeezes. “I’m excited to meet them, babe. And hey, not to brag, but you bagged a pretty good Alpha. I’m sure they’ll like me.”

I put on a smile and nod. William is an Alpha, and he is very successful, a real up and comer at his company. I remember when I met him at an event the publisher I work at put on, and how he lit up the room. So charismatic, so charming. It was obvious even to a Beta like me that all the women in the room wanted him.

Since I’m a Beta, though, I was sure an Alpha like him could never want me. Yet here we are, traveling all the way from New York City to my little hometown in Colorado to meet my family.

William glances at me. “Uh, this is the part where you agree.”

I laugh, nodding quickly. “Right, right! Of course they’ll like you. It’s just a little strange being back here. That’s all.”

“I get it. I don’t know why anyone would want to spend their whole lives here. It’s gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but what about when you want takeout? What about the art and culture?”

I nod, although my gaze slips back to the sweeping scenery outside. “It’s nothing like New York City.” My phone beeps with directions to the hotel, and I glance down, then add, “We’re almost there.”

“Great, I really need to stretch my legs.” William grins. “I hope your folks won’t mind us staying somewhere else instead of at their house.”

“They won’t mind. And if they do, I’ll remind them it’s my idea.”

I thought the privacy and space would be important since this is the first time everyone’s meeting. I don’t think it’ll go poorly. I hope it won’t go poorly. But if it does I think it’s just better if we have an… escape route.

I wince internally. I sound like I’m planning a military operation, not introducing my boyfriend to my parents. Even if we have only been dating a few months, it’s the most serious relationship I’ve ever had.

I just want it all to go well.

“This is cute,” William notes when we pull into town.

“Everything looks the same.”

“When was the last time you were here?”

“Five years ago.”

William gives a low whistle.

“Flights are expensive.” Especially once I got to New York. In fact William tried to pay for this flight for that very reason, but I insisted on paying him back for my ticket. I may be a Beta, and William may be an Alpha, but I’m still going to retain my independence.

“Wow, this place actually looks pretty decent.” William sounds a bit surprised as he pulls into our hotel parking lot. “We should go out and get something to eat. I want to see the town, to take it all in.”

“There’s not much to take in.”

“You said you haven’t been here in a while.” He chuckles, brushing off my clear attempt to dissuade him. “It’ll be fun.”

Honestly, I could use a night in. It’s weird to be back here after I… escaped, so to speak. Okay, maybe that’s an extreme word. My parents are great, we’re close, and I used to have friends here. But I did kind of flee like the wolves were on my back, and I haven’t returned. Not even for Christmases or other holidays. Being back makes me feel like I’m coming home, but also like there are snakes writhing in my stomach. But I know there’s no way William will be satisfied unless he gets his way.

We park, check in, and get our stuff into the room. It’s a cozy place, and of course the nicest in the area. Not that there are a ton to choose from, but William always insists on doing the nicest thing you can for yourself.

“Are you sure you don’t want to just have a night in?” I ask.

“Nah. I could really use a walk after all that driving.” William stretches. “Shall we?”

I freshen up first, and take my long blonde hair out of the braid I’ve had it in to brush it out. I don’t want to feel stale or look like I’ve been traveling all day.

William smiles at me as I exit. “You always have such an elegant air. Hard to imagine you grew up in a place like this.”

“Yeah,” I admit, glancing around. “I’ve come a long way from my small-town roots.”

William definitely isn’t like the rough and tumble cowboys I grew up with. He’s the kind of Alpha who wants to live on Park Avenue, and it makes me feel special that even though I’m a Beta and not an Omega, I’m the kind of woman he can see by his side.

“Any recommendations for where we should go?” he asks as we exit the hotel.

“There are a few places. There’s the pizzeria, and a place called ‘Spur of the Moment’…”

“Hah. I get it.” William laughs. “It’s the whole cowboy thing, that’s so quaint. That’ll be fun.”

I swallow. I can’t exactly tell him that it’s one of the most popular establishments in the area. “Sure.”

The moment we walk into the restaurant, I’m flooded with memories. I used to come here all the time with my family for special occasions, or tagging along with my older brother when he went here with his friends.

I’d been so young. No idea of the dream of writing and editing that would take hold of me, no idea I’d be running away to New York City.

The hostess doesn’t recognize me, which is a small miracle, but I recognize her. Emily Davis, younger sister of a girl I went to high school with. Emily’s only sixteen. She was eleven when I left, no wonder she has no idea who I am.

We get a table easily. William laughs about it. “You’d never get a seat this fast in Manhattan.”

“It’s never hard to get a table, even when it’s busy.” It never gets that busy here.

We sit down, and I offer to get us drinks from the bar. I know it’s maybe the kind of thing that others might say is typical for a Beta, offering to get something, to “serve” the Alpha, but William’s very particular. He has discerning taste. I think it’s a sign he trusts me to get something he’ll like.

But of course, when I reach the bar, fate finally stops being on my side.

“Holy hell,” a familiar voice drawls from behind me. “I’d know that pile of hair anywhere. Grace Whitmore?”

I know that voice. I hate to admit it, but I’d know that voice anywhere.

I turn around. “Jesse. Calling a woman a pile of hair, I see you’re as charming as ever.”

Jesse Stone smirks down at me. Literally. He’s six foot four, almost an entire foot taller than I am. “And you’re as prickly as ever.”

This close, I can catch Jesse’s scent: toasted pecans, freshly baked cornbread, and honey butter. It makes me think of a good old-fashioned cowpoke breakfast. It’s annoying that such a pain in my ass could smell so good. And of course he’s an Alpha. Ugh.

“Jesse, who—Grace?”

Whatever Hendrix was going to say is cut off as he realizes who Jesse’s talking to. Crowding up behind him are Easton and Cade. All four of them are tall, buff Alphas.

Great. Just what I need to deal with right now.

All four men are my brother’s best friends. I ran into them a lot growing up. I should’ve known it would be too much to hope I wouldn’t run into them now.

“Well, my night just got better.” Hendrix grins, his green eyes sparkling. Forever a flirt. “I had no idea you were in town.”

“You should’ve called us,” Jesse adds.

Easton, as usual, doesn’t say anything. Rocks talk more than Easton Brooks. Cade’s just scowling, like he stepped in something. And of course he’s scowling at me. I’ve been back for five minutes and I can’t catch a break.

“Oh, would’ve loved to,” I tell Jesse. “Maybe if I’d had your number I could’ve called you so you’d know to be out of town while I got back.”

“I’d be sure to stay in town,” Hendrix tells me.

Jesse and Easton both elbow him. “It’s nice to have you back,” Easton says in his deep, soft voice.

I nearly jump in shock. I can count the times I’ve heard Easton speak on one hand. I swallow hard. Call me soft, but it just feels kind of like an honor that he’s chosen to speak to me.

Of course, him having those piercing gray eyes and being ruggedly handsome doesn’t help with the nerves. Luckily Easton’s always had a very reassuring presence. Even though we’ve rarely spoken, I’ve never felt unsafe or scared in his presence, which is more than I can say for a lot of the rougher Alphas I’ve grown up around.

“Thanks, Easton,” I say out loud, trying not to stammer. I may be a Beta, and I may be taken, but having four men a foot taller than you—all very handsome men too—looking down at you is enough to turn a girl’s head a bit.

“We’ll be sure to tell everyone you came down as a nice surprise just for Easton,” Jesse says.

I glare at him. “You’re not going to tell anyone anything.”

“Whoa.” He puts his hands up. “When did you join the CIA? Didn’t know your being here was such a secret. You’re a terrible spy, if so, coming to the busiest restaurant in town.”

“Maybe she was just hoping we’d see her.” Hendrix winks at me, but I can sense a calm attitude from him, and I get a whiff of his scent: warm flannel, wild blueberries, and s’mores. It’s a very comforting scent, one that makes you feel comfortable with Hendrix’s wild flirting.

Hendrix flirts with everyone. I don’t bother blushing. It sure doesn’t mean anything that he’s flirting with me. I just happen to be the woman in front of him.

“Pity that Aiden didn’t tell us,” Jesse goes on. “I’ll have to have words with him.”

“He didn’t really know.”

“Well he has to know, doesn’t he? Poor ass has to share a bathroom with you again like you’re kids.”

“Um…” The noise slips out of me before I can stop myself. Four sets of Alpha eyes pierce me, and I want to squirm. “I’m not staying with my family.”

“Who are you staying with?” Jesse asks. “In a tent on the fairgrounds?”

“In a hotel.”

Jesse whistles. “Wow, big city girl already, you’ve only been gone for, what, four years?”

“Five.”

“Five, how time flies. Seems like only yesterday you were a simple hometown girl…”

He reaches out to flick some of my hair and I slap his hand away. “How old are you? Twelve?”

Jesse grins. More like bares his teeth, actually. “Older than you and always have been.”

Oh, if he wants to really play that game? I can play it too. I might’ve been younger than my brother and his friends but I’ve never let them get the best of me. Not when we were kids, and definitely not now.

So much for a peaceful homecoming.