Knot My Band, Part One (Knot My Band #1)

Aiden

PACK ‘EM UP GOSSIP COLUMN

WILL THE EDGE TARNISH OLI HART’S PERFECT REPUTATION BY JOINING HER ON TOUR?

March 29th

I t’s been a week and a half of rehearsals, and Dax has been rude to Oli during all of them. We are all gathered around our kitchen table, finishing up breakfast at our pack house.

“We leave in an hour and a half for rehearsal. We don’t want to be late for Oli,” Jack says.

“Right, don’t want the princess to have to wait,” Dax complains. “Did you all see the message Trevor sent? That the tour is drug and alcohol-free?”

“Dax, you need to lighten up with Oli. We will be on tour together, and it can be fun instead of miserable. We try to stay away from that stuff anyway, so that’s perfect. After May, I think it’s a great idea,” I say.

“I’m not being outright mean, but I have no interest in getting close to this girl. We are supposed to be on tour, not joining some pop princess omega who is obsessed with her ex-boyfriend. ”

I scoff, but Jack beats me to defend Olive.

“It’s not her fault, so no need to insult her or her music. She’s an excellent singer, and we are lucky as fuck that she is being so welcoming. Hell, she stood up to her manager for us. Oli is an ally, but you’re going to turn her into an enemy.”

I nod right along with Jack, but there’s something else that needs to be said.

“We know you have a problem with omegas, but don’t take it out on Oli,” I add.

Dax glares at me. “You’re all panting after her, and I don’t want an omega near my pack.”

Chase points at Dax. “We don’t have a choice. What don’t you get about that? Oli is the only one with a choice, and you’re-”

I cut him off with a revelation. “You want her to say no and kick us off the tour.”

Jack’s eyes widen. “What the fuck? Dax, we lose any tour at all if she dumps us. Why would that be better?”

“Because Dax is attracted to her, and that’s scarier than losing our tour to him.” Sometimes, people think Chase is just a pretty face, but in moments like this, he proves how well he can read people.

We all stare at Dax, but he doesn’t respond. He stares at the ground, and the muscle in his jaw ticks.

I feel bad for Dax, but I feel worse for Oli. I’m protective of her even though I barely know her. Everything about her makes me want to shield her from the world. Probably since she’s an omega and I’m an alpha, but it’s also her bright demeanor. She’s like sunshine personified.

“That sucks, I get that but don’t take it out on her. Keep your distance, don’t get to know her, just don’t be an asshole,” Jack commands.

Dax nods, then turns and stomps up the stairs.

I need time to process all of this, and the only way I can is with my keyboard. Instead of going to the one I have here, I leave the others behind and go to the studio where we will be practicing today.

I push open the door to the rehearsal space, a wave of anticipation hitting me as I step inside. It’s empty now. My fingers trail across the cool surface of my keyboard as I set up, feeling that weird mix of excitement for what’s to come and frustration at how it might go.

The way Dax treats her gets under my skin.

“Damn,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head to clear it. We’re all obsessed with her, circling around Oli like she’s the sun. Jack has maintained an easygoing facade so far, but he’s our lead alpha for a reason. If he gets more attached to Oli, she will see a different side of him.

I sit behind my keyboard and play around with different notes. Nothing is really coming together, but the action calms me.

The door to the room swings open, catching my eye and making me jump. There are still thirty minutes until rehearsal. I thought I had more time alone.

My heart kicks up as Oli bounces into the room. Her light pink hair catches in the light as her bangs brush her eyes. They’re soft and whispy, making me want to fuck them up while I’m kissing her. She seems startled to see me but takes it in stride.

“Hey, big guy,” she calls out, her voice as vibrant as her personality. “You’re here early.”

A surge of nervousness strikes me, and my palms suddenly feel too warm.

I stand there awkwardly, fingers tapping an erratic rhythm on the keyboard stand. Would it be weird if I walked over? Or weirder if I just stayed here?

Sometimes, being a large guy makes my whole body feel awkward and uncoordinated. I’m pretty sure I’m the only alpha cursed to feel that way, though. The rest seems overcompensated with confidence.

“Mind if I join you?” Her question slices through my internal debate, and I swear the air shifts, becoming lighter and easier to breathe.

Her presence alone calms my anxiety.

“Of course,” I manage, cursing my sudden lack of cool under her gaze.

No matter how rough Dax is, she still comes in the next day full of joy.

She saunters over, her warmth radiating as she flashes me that trademark kind smile. “How have you been coping with all this chaos?” she asks, leaning against the keyboard stand.

“Fine,” I say.

I don’t know what to add, but she takes it in stride.

“You know today is choreo, right?” she asks.

I roll my eyes. “Oh, yeah.”

She laughs. “I’m sorry to say I don’t think you’ll enjoy it, but it was already planned for the show.”

My nerves begin to settle, melting away with our small talk.

“I don’t mind. It will be fun to add something else to the show. This will be our biggest tour, so I know there will be new aspects.”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, and I have the overwhelming urge to be the one doing it. “That’s a great perspective.”

“I guess your optimism is rubbing off on me.” I flash a grin, hoping it looks more confident than I feel.

Oli smiles at me like I just made her day. It’s wide and bright, full of joy and fondness.

For the first time in my life, my chest starts to rattle softly, and I think I’m about to purr. I shove it down, cutting off the sound before it can get loud enough for Olive to hear. That would be embarrassing.

I want to make her smile like this every second of every day.

Of course, my pack mates ruin the moment, crashing into the room.

Oli’s light dims like it does every day when Dax strides past her without saying hello.

Chase and Jack make up for it with their enthusiasm. Chase pulls her into a tight hug. He started on the third day of rehearsals, and I’m jealous. I want to be smooth enough to initiate that with her.

Jack says hello and asks about her day while checking her over, ensuring she’s still safe and healthy. All three of my pack mates keep looking at me, probably wondering what we were doing before they got here.

The choreographer strides in, all bright-eyed enthusiasm and a clipboard that looks way too organized for our usual chaos. I stand off to the side, my back resting against the cool wall, trying to ignore the knot of nerves in my stomach.

She greets Oli with a hug, and she enthusiastically returns it.

“Hi, Alexandra! Alexandra, meet Jack Hansley, Adams, Chase Sullivan, and Dax Grey. Guys, this is Alexandra. She’s a choreography genius. ”

We all politely say hello. I can’t tell what her designation is with the scent removers that are sprayed through the vents of the building, but I don’t think she’s an alpha.

“Alright, boys,” she claps her hands, “Let’s get moving. We’ve got some ground to cover. Oli knows all the steps since she learned them with her old band, which will help things go faster, but you all have work to do.”

I can’t help but glance over at Dax, who’s already scowling like the choreography is some personal offense. Jack’s stretching out his long limbs, an easy smile on his face, and Chase—well, he’s looking like he was born ready for this, with that trademark smirk.

Oli steps into the center of the room, her movements fluid and natural.

We listen to Alexandra and follow her instructions. Mostly, Oli is flitting between each of us. I don’t ever leave my keyboard, which settles my nerves.

When I heard choreography, I pictured dancing, but really, it’s just sexy moves while we play our instruments and Olive sings.

Jack slides in next to Oli, his movements oozing that sultry charisma that’s his trademark, and I can’t help the pinch of jealousy that twists inside me. He’s always had this way with people, drawing them in without even trying.

They go back to back while he strums his guitar, and she belts out about dirty sex.

No wonder Oli is a sex symbol. The way she moves while singing should be illegal.

I can’t tear my eyes away from Oli as she hits every mark with an effortless sensuality that sets my blood on fire. The way her hips swivel, the rise and fall of her chest with each breath, it’s hypnotic.

“Leo added falling to his knees in front of Oli while hitting his solo on the guitar. If you think you’re up for it, Jack, it really added something to the song,” Alexandra says.

Jack does it effortlessly.

My mind wanders, playing out vivid images of Oli onstage with her old band, surrounded by alphas who aren’t me and my pack, and it twists something fierce in my gut.

Jealousy rings through the bond from my other packmates, and I know they’re thinking the same thing.

We’re all feeling it, the territorial pull towards Oli, something primal.

Chase’s laughter echoes around us, easy and carefree, but there’s an edge to it that tells me he’s not immune either. Even Jack, with his usual charm turned down to a simmer, watches Oli with a quiet intensity that speaks volumes.

“Alright, , you’re up. Let’s see what you’ve got,” the choreographer calls, and I steel myself for the spotlight.

Oli and Alexandra move over to my keyboard.

“Relax, ,” Oli teases, her voice laced with a laugh. “The keyboard does most of the work.”

“Easy for you to say,” I retort, but I can’t help the half-grin that tugs at my lips. There’s something infectious about her energy, the sunshine she radiates even as we stumble through the steps.

Dax and Oli look awkward as hell while they interact, but at least Dax isn’t mean to her.

When she runs her fingers through Dax’s hair, tugging it, Chase shouts, “I wish that were me.”

I agree, but don’t voice it.

Dax looks like he wants to be anywhere but here .

We work for hours until all of us at least understand what we are meant to do.

“Nice work, everyone,” Oli says, her gaze sweeping over us alphas, lingering on mine for a heartbeat longer than necessary.

“Thanks to you,” I reply, trying to keep it light.

“Hey, don’t give all the credit to the omega here,” Dax interjects, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he leans against the wall, eyes narrowing. “It’s not like we need those ridiculous moves anyway.”

My smile falters, but I hold onto the sliver of connection still hanging between Oli and me.

“Shut up, Dax,” I snap before I can stop myself, the words slicing through the heavy air of the rehearsal room. There’s a part of me that’s sick of the constant negativity, especially when it’s aimed at Oli.

Alexandra smiles before going back to packing up her stuff.

Dax shoots me a glare, but there’s a hint of surprise in his hazel eyes. He’s not used to being called out, definitely not by me, the guy who usually hangs back and lets others lead the charge.

Oli doesn’t say anything, but there’s a softness in her eyes that tells me she appreciates the defense. She’s been putting up with enough crap; she doesn’t need more.

“Whatever,” Dax mutters, rolling his eyes before stomping off to pack up his gear.

Chase, ever the smooth operator, does the same thing he’s been doing after every rehearsal. “Hey, Oli,” he says, his voice dripping with that charm that makes girls swoon on cue. “Do you want to grab some food with us? My treat.”

Oli tosses her pink hair back with a laugh that rings light and clear. “Thanks, Chase, but I’ve got plans tonight.” She pats him on the arm, a friendly gesture that somehow doesn’t diminish the sting of rejection.

She always says no, and it’s all Dax’s fault.

“Rain check then?” Chase asks, hopeful as ever.

“Rain check,” she confirms with a nod, her bright green eyes dancing with mirth. Every day, the answer is a rain check.

I feel a twinge of disappointment in my gut. It’s irrational, I know, given that we’ll all be crammed onto a tour bus for who knows how long starting tomorrow. But I can’t shake the feeling that I want more time with her.

Chase must feel the same because he changes his approach. He’s always been a playboy with girls lined up. Sometimes, he says nothing and a girl hands him her bra. So when he blurts out, “By the way, I like your pink hair,” I’m shocked.

It’s the least smooth thing I’ve ever heard him say. Maybe it has to do with the fact that he hasn’t hooked up with anyone since we met Oli.

None of us have.

Oli puts a hand on her hip. “Actually, it’s rose gold. A very important distinction.”

“Got it, little rose. I won’t make that mistake again,” Chase swears with a hand over his chest.

Oli stares at him for a few seconds, deciding if she believes him before nodding and moving towards the door.

“See you guys tomorrow,” Oli calls out, swiping up her jacket from the back of a chair and slinging it over her shoulder. She sends a smile my way, one that lingers just a second too long, sending my heart into an erratic rhythm.

As she exits the rehearsal space, I realize that tomorrow can’t come soon enough. The bus will be close quarters, sure, but it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to get to know Oli Hart and get her to want to spend time with us, too.