Page 18 of Knot Convenient

As per the predetermined timeline that was set up before I even got to town, we spent a night apart to consider the bond.

Their scents…I knew they were good from the scent cards, but in person they were phenomenal.

Emmett was all apple pie and rich spices.

Marshall had a more metallic, machinery smell. It was addictive, raw and real.

Tobias’s scent was a bright, lemony citrus.

And Noah was warm and comforting, like pastry or fresh bread.

They were all unique, but somehow the scents didn’t clash. They all worked well together.

I was all in. Truth be told, I wasn't sure what I’d expected, but it certainly wasn't Pack Winters. In the back of my head, I assumed that any pack would be pretty hands-off when it came to Milo. It was already asking a lot of them to accept a baby who wasn't theirs. Which sucked. It wasn’t Milo’s fault, and if you wanted a child, why should it matter if they became yours in the not-so-traditional way?

But I wasn’t going to kid myself. The world didn’t work like that.

Any omega would be lucky to have them… so why on earth would they pick me? I was certain they weren't lacking for options. But why?

Was there some deep, dark secret lurking under the surface? I highly doubted it. They all seemed sweet and genuine, but you never knew.

They had said they wanted to see me again, but how was I to know for sure? Maybe they were just saying that to be polite. We both had the option to walk away after the first meeting.

“Summer, my girl.” Edie's voice rang out as I made my way to the breakfast room, Milo in my arms.

“Good morning, Edie.” I greeted her with a warm smile.

“How did you sleep?”

I shrugged. “Not too bad. This one is starting to teethe, so he's been a little cranky and wakes up regularly. But he’s better when I hold him.”

Truth be told, I had struggled to sleep due to being in a strange place. Omegas were fussy about our spaces. We loved our nests and our creature comforts. I didn’t have a nest—I was too broke to get things for it—and I had been so busy with Milo that it hadn’t been a priority.

Edie’s was more comfortable than my run-down apartment, but adjusting simply took time.

Stupid omega instincts.

Edie winced. “That isn't good, is it?” she asked, leaning forward and gently shaking Milo's onesie-covered foot. He giggled at her, shoving his chubby fist into his mouth as he babbled. “Why don't you go sit down, and I'll bring you a stack of buttermilk pancakes with chocolate chips? I even have some mini low-sugar pancakes I made with banana that would be perfect for the teething angel to munch on.”

“You are an angel.” I sighed, sagging as I grinned.

I took my seat at one of the cute little tables in the dining area, placing Milo on my lap. Not five minutes later, the food was put in front of us. Milo dove into his pancakes with excitement, but I was staring at mine, trying to force down nibbles.

“Not hungry?” Edie asked as she passed my table, coffee pot in hand.

“Nervous,” I admitted, handing Milo a bit of cut-up pancake absentmindedly.

“You never mentioned why you were in town.” She frowned. “Are you visiting family? I didn't think so, because I know pretty much all the people here. Well, me and the other old biddies.”

I chuckled. “I'm pretty sure the CIA needs to hire ladies like you. I… I'm here to meet a potential pack.”

Edie's eyes lit up. “You don't say! Is it the Emerson boys? They're a good deal older than you, but we all know alphas take a little longer to mature.”

I shot her a small smile, stifling a snort. “I don't want to jinx it. I met them yesterday, and it went well, but today I’ll find out if they want to continue, or if I'm returning to California.”

She waved that off, scoffing. “Well, even if it doesn't work out, Willow Grove is way better than California! You two should stick around here. We will get you a pack in no time!”

I agreed with a giggle, but I didn't want to give Edie the sob story that was my life. Luckily, I was saved from answering her as Milo started fussing.