Knot Their Valentine

Chapter 1

Chapter One

Harlow

Freaking Alpha jerk!

“Gah!”

I knew coming to this charity auction was a mistake.

I’m digging through my small handbag for my missing freaking lip gloss and trying very hard not to let my rage boil over. My heated skin pebbles with goosebumps as the cool air from the overhead vent blows my hair into my face.

I grumble again, tossing the long, curling strands of pink over my shoulder in annoyance, needing to get it out of the damn way, so I can see what the hell I’m doing.

“Hey there, Fireball,” a deep masculine voice says from behind me, and I drop my small purse when I startle.

“Why are you in here?!” I demand, spinning around to glare at the Alpha that definitely shouldn’t be in this restroom right now. “You’re stalking me now? Jeez Caelum, if I had known you were so obsessed with me, I would have told everyone what a psycho you are,” I hiss, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back against the sink.

“Cute. I’m here to make you my Valentine,” Cae smirks, letting his gaze slide down my figure.

“The fuck you are…” Of course, I wore this dress. It’s sinfully tight, showing off all my curves and far too much skin for my mother’s liking, peeking above my thigh-high stockings. But if I have to be here, I’ll dress how I damn well please. Only, I didn’t know Cae would be here too.

I should have, though, since our mothers are best friends and constantly scheming to get us to like one another.

Soft, white material clings to my hips with ruching at the waist. The delicate lace over my breasts draws in the hungry gaze of the Alpha before me.

Annoyingly, he also looks fucking incredible. His light brown hair is effortlessly styled, swept back from his face. Clean-shaven jaw with a bitable bottom lip, the tilt of his neck leads my perusal down despite the anger he ignites. The light gray button down shirt accentuates the muscles in his shoulders. He’s rolled the sleeves up, showing off veiny forearms and tan skin. My gaze snags on the movement when he shifts back to look at me, slipping his hands into the snug fitting pockets of the navy blue slacks clinging to his thighs.

Why does the sight of his hands stuffed in his front pockets do things to me?

Am I sweating? Is it hot in here? Fuck, my heart is racing, and I feel weak in the knees.

Then, as he smirks, realizing I’m checking him out right back, his scent hits me.

Mother-fucking-merciless-goddess… Sugary apricots, caramelized and drizzled over a pound cake.

The whimper that breaks free from my throat is embarrassing, but nothing compares to the horror of my own scent spiking in the air between us.

My chocolate and strawberry scent betrays me, listening to my body and ignoring my mind as it sends out a ‘Please, fuck me’ signal to the man that locked me in this bathroom with him.

What fresh level of hell have I just walked into?

Caelum, being the massive cocky fuck that he is, strides toward me confidently, pulling his hands out of his pockets and resting them against the sink’s edge on either side of me.

He’s so close now, leaning down into my space, that the heat of his body threatens to ignite mine like a match.

“I’ve never seen you in a dress like this, Harlow. Have you been holding out? Why hide these incredible curves?” Caelum’s lips caress my skin as he whispers into my ear. “You look good enough to eat…”

“I don’t dress up when I know you’ll be somewhere. Wouldn’t want anyone accusing me of trying to entice you,” I hiss, attempting to lean further back and put space between us.

“You don’t need to try when you look like this in that fucking dress.” His rumbling response ends in a growl so strong that my eyes flutter shut, and I unintentionally suck in a deep lungful of his scent. If I turn my head just a little to the right, I could lick his skin…taste him… Fuck! No!

Bad Omega.

The feel of his finger gently trailing along the lace across the top of my breasts breaks the hypnosis I’m under as my eyes snap open, and I gasp. Catching his wrist in my hand, I hold his gaze as I hold the offending hand still.

“I’m bidding on you, Fireball,” Caelum vows, but I start to shake my head before he can finish the sentence.

“Don’t you dare,” I warn, but the way he smirks at me… Fuck, his lips are so close. His eyes fixed on me, their bright amber intense. He easily shakes my hold off before reaching out to push a pink strand behind my ear.

“Oh, I fucking dare, and once you’re ours…” He leans in, pressing his lips to my cheek, and I fucking whimper. “I’m going to make you truly obsessed, sweet Omega.” And then he’s gone. Pushing away from my heated body and strutting out the door.

I’m left standing here, dizzy with lust and a need so bone-deep that I feel myself free-falling into it.

How the fuck did he walk away so easily like nothing happened? Like he didn’t spend years making my life harder, flaunting his fucking Omega in front of me.

Claiming said Omega as his mate. Leaving me desperate for men I can never call mine…

Caelum

Fuck, my cock is so hard it’s straining to break free through the metal teeth of my goddamn zipper. I slip into the first closet door I pass and palm my dick through my slacks, groaning.

Harlow sends my Alpha instincts into a feral fucking frenzy. I wanted to rip those sinful fucking stockings down her creamy thighs, yank the hem of her dress up, and bury my face in her center for hours.

Our pack bond is buzzing with interest in my chest as my pack mates feel the heady desire that’s consuming me. I can feel Quinton’s curiosity and Lachlan’s humor.

Images of Quin buried deep inside of Harlow flood my fucking mind, doing nothing to kill my raging hard on. I give my cock one last rough squeeze, my eyes shut tight…

I don’t fuck anyone but Quin. Never wanted to.

Okay, that is obviously a lie.

But Harlow is different. Always has been, even when I was just an idiot kid.

My promise to bid on her was real. Seeing that fiery look in her blue eyes only made me more sure. She fucking wants us, and I’ve given her space long enough. I don’t care what venomous words she uses like a weapon against me.

I’ll take every one of those lashes. Hell, I deserve them.

But I’m still making her ours.

Which is why I need to do this. Why I have to shove aside any guilt for tricking her and bury my need to worship her like the Omega she is. At least for now.

Harlow will run so fucking far, so fucking fast, that we’ll lose her. For her and for my pack, I’ll play the role she expects until the time is right.

By the time she realizes I’m sweeping her off her feet, it’ll be too late.

Which is why I need to get my boner under control and slip from the closet quickly. Walking with a purpose, I move toward the woman who brought my favorite Fireball into this world. I step up beside Emily, ordering a drink from the busy bartender at the open bar.

“Oh, Caelum, perfect! Have you seen Harlow?” she asks as she faces me fully, smiling in a way she thinks is sly, but I’ve known this woman all my life. She’s as subtle as a bullet train.

“I haven’t! What’s she doing here? This isn’t her usual event,” I pretend to wonder, taking my drink with a quick thanks and sipping it.

“Oh, she’s not just here, she’s on the auction block! She’s been living with us again for a couple of weeks now, and I made it clear this was a condition.” Harlow’s mother’s eyes twinkle as if she’s some kind of mastermind matchmaker. “Your mother said you’d be here to support me today. Were you thinking of bidding on anyone?”

Normally, her probing questions would piss me off. Not because of Harlow, but because I know how our mothers view Quin.

He’s my pack’s Omega, but my mother is best friends with Harlow’s mother, and they have been plotting our bonding since birth. Their disappointment at his appearance in my life still makes my jaw tic with anger. I do feel kind of bad about this next part, though.

“I am.” I nod, sipping my drink. “My mother mentioned Harlow was living with you again since she’s having a hard time finding her own place. You know, I have that empty guest room, if you ever needed to get her out of your hair for a night,” I chuckle, waiting for her mind to latch onto my words and the scheming to begin.

“You know, Harlow would probably love that.” Emily nods her head, blinking up at me, and I can practically see the wheels turning behind her eyes.

“Of course! She’s known my pack all her life. Sometimes, you just want to be around people your own age,” I joke, nodding right along with her.

“What if…well, for Harlow’s sake, you rented her the guest room for a few months until she can get back on her feet?” Emily taps a manicured finger to her chin.

“I would be honored to help an Omega in need. I always have a place for Harlow, wherever I live.” I place my hand on Emily’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

“Fantastic, she’ll be there tomorrow. Also, be a dear and bid on Harlow, would you? I don’t want some strange pack winning her.” Emily shudders before scurrying off, not even bothering to wait for a response.

I don’t care if she thinks this was all her idea. All I care about is convincing Harlow she belongs with us.

Harlow

I toss my hair over my shoulder, giggling at Jack’s terrible joke. Sure, he’s not funny, but he is nice enough to look at.

And if I have to be here, doing this, then I’ll at least enjoy the view.

I know my mother has been plotting this since December. Even if she insists on denying that fact. But it is a fact.

My mother is a lot of things, but subtle isn’t one of them. The woman is a force when she wants to be, and she usually wants to be.

How a strong-willed, stubborn extrovert that adores being the center of attention raised me…? Well, I don’t fucking get it.

I inherited her iron will, and against nearly everyone else, I’m immovable. But Mom? She knows every possible button to push.

For example, she knows the guilt I’m absolutely wracked with because of my early departure from college and the money my parents lost because of my choices.

She’s also not above using the information to manipulate me.

So here I stand, a glass of champagne in my hand, my pink nails manicured. My hair curled to perfection. My makeup accentuating every one of my best facial features.

I added a spritz of scent enhancer just under my breasts as well, hoping it would convince Jack and his pack to bid on me.

Their collective scents remind me of a sunny walk through a garden. Not my favorite, since you know, I hate bugs and dirt… But, it’s not bad. Not unpleasant.

Not like juicy, mouth-watering apricots. Caramelized apricots… No. No. Not going there. The scent might have caught my attention the moment I walked into this fucking torture chamber, but I’m smart enough to fucking avoid it. Especially after our little encounter in the bathroom.

Never should have met his eyes. Never should have stomped down that hall, all flustered and frustrated. Never should have let him get so damn close to me!

I smile, nodding my head as I blink up at Jack, completely missing whatever he just said as images of running away from a swarm of bees flooded my mind. Shouldn’t have taken a deep breath of his grassy scent.

Fresh cut grass. Simple, pleasant… Not the kind of scent you want to roll around in unless you have four legs and bark at squirrels.

This part of the auction is the hardest for me. I don’t want to mingle or flirt. I don’t want to convince Alphas I’m a worthy Valentine.

I’m a simple Omega. Okay, maybe that's a lie, but this is fucking overkill.

But I refuse to stand on that stage, under threat of an almighty guilt trip, and not have anyone bid for me.

Especially not in front of fucking Caelum. Childhood rival and all-around pain in my ass.

The Omegas are summoned to the stage to line up, so I blow Jack a little kiss and wave sweetly before hustling toward the stairs.

“Only way he’s winning that bid is if I drop dead right here, Fireball,” Caelum growls, startling me.

“Gah! Caelum!”

“Mmmm, say my name again, Harlow. Better yet, practice moaning it for me…”

I shake my head at him, refusing to acknowledge the way he just groaned my name or the way it slithered down my spine like a dirty promise.

I just need to ignore him and get through this. I can do that.

I nibble my bottom lip, stepping forward when my mother calls my name. I’m the first Omega up on the chopping block, I mean, auctioning stage.

“First up, we have my daughter, Harlow Grace,” my mom says with this megawatt smile that could melt weaker Alphas. What made her fall in love with my fathers? I suppose it’s easy to see what they saw in her. She’s vibrant and full of radiant energy.

She’s everything I will never be in an Omega. Which is our number one point of contention. I’m not bubbly enough for her.

My style doesn’t help. But for her, I tried to look semi Omega-ish. Rather than black, I wore white. I paired my dress with white knee-high fishnets with a pink bow at the top. My light pink chunky heels are the same shade of pink as my hair, and I removed all my usual black jewelry just to please her.

She turns to smile at me, and for just a second, our eyes meet, and I think…fucking here we go. She gives me a once over, but rather than the annoyance I expected, she gives a barely perceptible nod.

For one silly second, I feel like maybe she’s not disappointed in me. Then she opens her mouth and lies pour out.

My heart aches as I listen to the woman who birthed me speak.

“Harlow is a second-year psychology major.” Wrong, I dropped out. “She loves pack dates and group activities.” Wrong again. I have never, in my twenty years of life, ever been on a pack date. “She’s active in the community and loves volunteering at local charities.” Okay, half lie? I do volunteer, but that's something that bothers her… I teach art at a local community center from time to time. Something she calls a waste of time. “Harlow enjoys outdoor activities and sports and would be a great companion for any pack looking to explore the wilderness.” The fuuuuuuck?

In what fucking universe, Mother?

It takes extreme effort to control the looks I want to send her way as I stare out into the crowd, smiling like this isn’t absolute fucking bullshit. My eyes lock on a pair of amber ones, and for a startling moment, I think someone sees me for the real me.

Caelum looks…angry? Upset or at least a little bothered. He knows everything my mother just said is bullshit. For just a moment, I use Caelum like an anchor, keeping myself upright and whole.

Then he goes and ruins it. My mother starts the bid, and with a smirk, Caelum raises his paddle.

I watch as Jack’s paddle shoots into the air next, and I relax marginally. Hopefully, Jack doesn't take that whole outdoors bullshit too seriously.

But as my mother rattles off numbers, Caelum continues to shove his fucking paddle into the air every time Jack outbids him.

“Don’t. You. Dare,” I mouth as discreetly as possible.

The fucker blows me a kiss, and I nearly snarl. I snap my gaze away from him and focus on Jack. Please save me. I fucking beg you, Jack.

“You motherfucker,” I growl, shoving Caelum as he smiles at me like the smug bastard he is.

His scent, meant to draw Omegas in like a magnet, fills the hall, trapping me where I stand. Fucking apricots, juicy, warm, caramelized apricots.

I am not the exception to that rule, and the more compatible two people are, the more their scent reminds the other of their favorite things.

I could die beneath a mountain of sweets, a very happy Omega. Images of licking Caelum until I find out if he tastes as good as he smells fill my head, and I try to remind myself he’s Satan's rejected spawn.

“That’s not very nice, Harlow.” The fuck grins at me, and I take a deep breath, ready to stab him. He came to this clusterfuck alone, which means I don’t have my usual buffer of Quinton to distract me from the full force of how frustrating Caelum is.

“Why the ever loving–”

“Any way I can convince you to drop your bid, Caelum?” Jack asks as he approaches from behind me. I snap my jaw shut and step forward so I can spin around and face the other Alpha. I pout at Cae.

“Yes, can’t you drop your bid? I would much rather spend my Valentine's Day with Jack’s pack.” I blink up at Cae, trying not to glare daggers at him in front of Jack.

“No chance. Fair is fair. I won the Omega. She’s all ours this year.” Cae grins, patting Jack on the back. “Better luck next time, bud,” and then he’s walking away.

Cae

As I step into the apartment, Quinton jumps up from the couch, a huge smile on his face, making my heart ache. Lachlan grins, watching the way Quin lights up.

I wrap Quin in my arms and hug him to my chest. He buries his face against my neck, and I groan. He feels so good. He smells so good. He’s so fucking good.

I want to bend him over right here. Let Lachlan watch me fuck our Omega, but I know Quin wouldn’t want that… At least, I don’t think he would. Not yet. But soon, I hope.

“So I have something to tell you both,” I say as I lead Quin to the couch.

“Oh, hell, what now?” Lachlan turns the TV off and looks up at me. I snort, shaking my head at him, making room for Quin to curl up against my side.

“Harlow is back in town, and she needs a place to live. I offered our guest room.” I get right to the point.

“She’s an unmated Omega…” Lachlan looks between Quin and me, and I nod. I know what he’s thinking. But he doesn’t know what I know. What Quin really needs. What I realized almost too late has been missing all along.

“Yes, but Quin knew her before he perfumed, and we spend holidays together, and there's never been an issue.”

“Yeah, that's not in his home, though–”

“It’s okay. I like Harlow. It’ll be nice to have another Omega around.” Quinton smiles, and through the bond, I feel his jittery excitement.

“Also, I bid on her for the Valentine’s Charity, and we are obligated to take her on four dates,” I add, snatching up the remote and turning the TV back on. “One for each of us, and one as a pack.”

“Oh, Cae,” Quin murmurs, shaking his head. “I’m sure she had some things to say about that.”

I snort, nodding my agreement. “She sure did, mate.”

Once she realizes I didn’t do it to torture her, she’ll get over it, and then some.

Harlow

The streetlights flying by the window of my mom’s sporty black BMW do little to distract me from the boiling anger filling my body.

First my mother thinks telling a room full of strangers a bunch of lies about me is the best way to make them like me, and then Jack loses his bid to freaking Caelum. Now she’s driving us home, huffing about my bad attitude.

I haven’t bothered to ask if something is upsetting her, even though she’s making it obvious that she’s irritated with me. But only one of us has any right to feel angry right now, even if I did demand she take me home before she was finished socializing.

She sighs heavily, before glancing over at me.

“Firefly, I don’t understand why you’re being so sensitive right now. Your bid was the highest we received tonight. You should be thrilled with your success!” My mother’s floral scent is potent with pride and satisfaction, and it just aggravates me more.

I grind my teeth as we reach a red light, and dare a glance over at her. She’s looking at me like I’m the one in the wrong here.

“Right, because you telling the available packs that I enjoy being outdoors, and that I have a psych degree wasn’t a big deal? You made me into someone I’m absolutely not. And now I’m stuck going on four freaking dates with men you know have no interest in me! What good can possibly come from this?” I hiss, watching her with wide eyes. Is she really this delusional?

“Harlow Grace! You should consider yourself very lucky to have even been bid on by Caelum Baker. And Lachlan is a treasure. There’s no reason you won’t enjoy the dates.” She huffs. Again. Fixing her perfect hair, before turning her attention back to the road as the light turns green.

“And Quinton? Their mated Omega?” I don’t mention that she completely ignored what I said about her lying about me. Clearly she doesn’t feel the need to defend herself. She waves the comment about Quin off with a dismissive hand.

“Never mind all that. I have a gift for you, my ungrateful menace of a child,” she sighs dramatically, shooting me a side look with a teasing smile. I’m the menace?

“Where do you think I get my irritating personality, mother?” I sass as we pull into the gated community of my childhood pack home. “And what gift?” I ask, squinting at her, not even bothering to hide my suspicion.

“Well, Firefly, your fathers and love you dearly, but we’d like to have our house back…” She chuckles, but I don’t smile. Waiting for whatever the hell she’s about to lob at me next. “I can imagine that you are more than ready to be on your own. And I know you’re tired of borrowing my car. Always leaving it messy…” She just has to add that last bit. “I found you a place to rent, well within budget and walking distance from that job of yours.”

The smug look on her face as we come to a stop in front of the house should have been a warning sign. But desperation makes fools out of all of us…

“You’re joking, right?” I desperately wanted out from under my parents’ thumb, but I need a solid plan as an unmated Omega, and this feels like a trick… “What's the catch?”

“There’s no catch,” she scoffs, getting out of the driver's seat, and I follow her, feeling dazed.

My dads have already gathered around her in the foyer by the time I rush in through the door.

The squeal of delight as I internally celebrate leaving this house echoes in the vaulted ceilings as I throw my arms around my mom. This is so very unlike her, but fuck, I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I frown a little at that thought though. The fuck does that even mean? I shake the thought off, focusing on my mother.

“Thank you. Seriously, thank you, Mom.” When I pull back, releasing her and catch the raised eyebrow on both of my dads’ faces, I can’t help but giggle. They aren’t used to me thanking my mother. I hug her often though. She’s a pain in my ass, but she gives good hugs…

“I am guessing your mother told you about the rental, Firefly?” My dad Max has an arm around my mother as he meets my eyes. With darker blonde hair and brown eyes, he’s the tallest of my family.

“I was not expecting you to be in such a good mood after the auction, bug. Did you get a pack date with someone you like?” Dad Daniel asks, a smirk on his face and dancing green eyes as he looks between us. His penchant for practical jokes and not taking things seriously has me suspicious for a moment before I decide to celebrate the good.

“I sold well according to mother and yes, she did tell me about the rental. Thank all that is holy.” I catch the huff of frustration before I interrupt what is sure to be an amazing conversation. “While this has been great, this girl has got some packing to do. Thank you!”

I dash up the staircase to the echo of my dads’ laughs. The comfort of my childhood bedroom aside, I am ready for the next adventure.

I may not know where I’m going just yet, but I’ll take my chance on independence.

Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?