Knot So Perfect Omega (Omega Match #1)(43)

“Well, it was nice to meet you. Good luck tomorrow.” The second man nodded respectfully and then grabbed his friend’s arm and steered him away.

Kane breathed a heavy breath out and kissed my temple. “I was a little concerned about the one when he stared at your neck. You feel cooler?”

“A little. It doesn’t help when you’re pawing at me.” I pulled away and grabbed his hand. “Now, where are these food trucks?”

Maybe stuffing my stomach with food would stop the ache that had started to build there.





CHAPTER SEVENTEEN





Kane





My whole body was tense as we walked through the crowds of people at the food truck event. I’d thought it would be fine, but my alpha instincts were going haywire, and all I wanted to do was throw Kayla over my shoulder and get her home.

I held on tightly to her hand as we stopped in the center of the large picnic and grassy area the food trucks were arranged around. “Where do you want to start?”

There were at least twenty different options and the aromas filling the air drowned out any other scents. It should have comforted me not to have to worry about Kayla’s scent catching the nose of another pack, but not being able to catch her scent also made me paranoid about losing her.

Kayla looked around, her bottom lip between her teeth. “I don’t know.” Was that a hint of a whine in her voice?

“We’ll get some food and then go sit on the beach. Lots of people make me antsy too.” I led her toward a Mexican food truck since I knew she loved tacos and corn.

“Oh, they have esquites with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos crumbled on top!” She was lifting to her tiptoes to see the menu that ran down the side of the truck. “They have a taco sampler. Let’s get that too.”

“I’ve never tried esquites. Seems disgusting.” I made a face, and she hit me playfully on the chest. “I mean, mayonnaise in corn?”

“There’s some kind of sour cream in it sometimes too. Don’t knock it until you try it. You pick out a food truck too.” Her mood that had seemed on edge had made an abrupt one-eighty. She was now chipper and had an excited glow in her eyes.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I put the back of my hand to her cheek, and it didn’t feel any warmer than usual.

“I’m fine. I just haven’t been around this many people in a long time and that motorcycle ride was hot... in more ways than one.” She winked, and we moved forward in the line. “I’ve been worried about Kara too. Maybe once we bond, we can have her for a visit. I’m sure Omega Protective Services will allow it as long as we’re taking all the precautions.”

“Once we bond.” I turned her toward me and grabbed the side of her neck gently, bringing her forehead to mine. “You mean it?”

“Yes.” She sniffled like she was about to cry, and I kissed her gently before pulling her closer to wrap my arms around her.

“You don’t understand how unbelievably happy you just made me.” I nuzzled into her neck and didn’t care that the gap between us and the people in front of us was widening.

“I don’t want to tell the pack yet. I want you guys to focus on Alphaball.” She didn’t realize how hard it was going to be for me to keep it a secret, but she did have a point.

If she told the other three the night before playoffs, there was probably no way we’d get on the plane to go to Portland in the morning. A bond, especially a new one, would make us incredibly territorial and protective of her.

After ordering and getting our food from the Mexican food truck and a barbecue truck, we walked the short distance back to the parking lot and then to the beach where we found an empty bench.

We laid out the cartons between us, and she grabbed the bowl of corn and popped the lid off, lifting it to her nose. “I’ve loved this stuff forever and used to wish when I perfumed I’d smell like it.” She took a large spoonful and ate it. “Fuck, that’s good. Not better than my dad’s, but it’ll do.”

She handed me the bowl and I sniffed it. “I’m glad you didn’t smell like this.” I took a bite and didn’t hate it but didn’t love it either.

“It’s not for everyone.” She lifted the plate of tacos and took a bite out of one. “You know those two guys from the parking lot have been watching us this whole time?”

“What? Where?” My focus had been on her for the past few minutes, so I hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.

“It’s probably nothing, but they were in the food truck area and are now sitting on the tailgate of their truck in the parking lot.” She handed me the taco plate. “I can save the esquites and throw it in their faces. Maybe some Hot Cheeto dust will get in their eyes.”

I took a bite of the taco, turning my head to the side so I could glance in the direction of the parking lot. Sure as shit, those assholes were watching us.

They were fans of the Killer Gnomes, but I could feel at least one of their demeanors change when Kayla had come back from the bathroom. For now, they were keeping their distance, and luckily, it had seemed only the one had taken interest in my omega.

Or I was just thinking about it too much and they were just out enjoying the evening like we were.