Page 47 of Knot Her Beta

Jared recovers first, and when he speaks, it’s without a hint of the excitement I would have expected from him, since this is what he wanted. A pack.

“You planned this,” he accuses. “By bringing Leif in first, you knew we’d follow.”

Blake doesn’t even try to deny it. “You were interested in Leif, which meant starting a new pack if you wanted to bring him in. That wouldn’t be easy after Emily was removed from her old pack. We also understand the pride that comes with being lone Alphas, and that you’d need a reason to set that pride aside.”

“Sneaky fucking assholes,” I say, shaking my head in amazement.

Blake holds the brandy out to me again.

I shake my head on reflex, my throat too tight for brandy or words or anything that requires coordination.

Jared’s hand covers mine on the couch cushion, offering silent reassurance.

Nathaniel’s attention moves between us, and understanding dawns. “You’re trying for a pup.”

My hand moves to my stomach before my brain catches up, my palm flattening over the front of my jacket.

Blake’s grin splits his thick beard. “Holy shit. Congratulations, you two.”

“It’s too soon to know for sure,” I say, while trying not to think about how my period is three days late.

I’ve been counting every morning, trying not to get ahead of myself. Jared noticed, though. He was careful when he asked about my calendar last week, and I told him to wait, to give it time, that as an Alpha, my cycles are always irregular.

Dominic sets his brandy glass on the table and rises from the couch. “I’ll grab you a non-alcoholic drink.”

He disappears through the door to the family quarters before I can object.

Blake leans forward, elbows on his knees. “Listen. We didn’t spring this on you on impulse. We’ve been talking about it ever since we chose a name for our pack, before Jared even arrived on the island.”

“We thought it would take more time,” Nathaniel adds, “to build up the resources before we could start expanding our pack, but thanks to Chloe, we can start now, and the people we want to bring in are those we already consider family.”

A sting starts up behind my eyes, and I blink to clear my vision.

“Small packs struggle more,” he continues. “The Wright pack can offer you an established reputation, resources, and insurance coverage that would take years to build from scratch.”

“When you left my dad’s construction company to work with us, it cost you,” Blake says, and my spine stiffens. “You spent years clawing your way up through a male-dominated industry, and you walked away with nothing but your tools and your name.”

My jaw tightens, but I don’t deny it.

“We’re not offering charity,” Nathaniel clarifies. “Your crew’s the best in the area for its size. Your management of the resort project has been flawless. When the resort’s finished, we want to expand the contracting side of the business. Island properties, mainland remodels. Blake and I have been looking at the numbers.”

Dominic returns with a steaming mug and sets it in front of me. Warm chamomile and honey curl upward with the steam, but I don’t think I could pick it up right now without my hand shaking.

“Chloe made the same offer to Grady,” Blake adds. “She wants him in the pack.”

I risk reaching for the tea, and the chamomile burns my tongue as I take a sip. I welcome the sting, focusing on it instead of the possibility blooming inside me.

If Jared and I joined the Wright Pack, we wouldn’t need to file as a new pack. No registration fees. No insurance requirements. No financial backing to prove we can support a pack of our own. We’d fall under the Wright umbrella and all the protection that comes with it.

And Grady. Grady, who is three thousand miles away, making a choice I can’t make for him. If he accepted Chloe’s offer and we joined the Wrights, the promise I made him in that empty cabin wouldn’t be years down the road. It would be now. Or as soon as he comes back.

“Family units within a larger pack are expected,” Nathaniel continues. “It’s how packs grow. How they stay strong. And the Wright name opens doors you’d have to kick down on your own. Permitting. Contract bids. Bank loans.”

“Not that you’d need them. Your reputation stands on its own. But the name smooths the path.” Blake leans in. “And for a pup? Emily, the medical coverage alone⁠—”

“Enough.” Dominic raises his hand, and his gray eyes find each of his bondmates in turn. “That’s enough. We made our pitch, but let’s not be pushy. They need space to think things over.”

Blake’s mouth closes, and Nathaniel sits back.