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

Chase

ALPHA TEA GOSSIP COLUMN

THE EDGE’S STREAMING NUMBERS SOAR WHILE ON TOUR WITH OLI HART

April 18th

T he black sedan pulls up to the sandy curb, and I’m out before the wheels fully stop rolling and running around to open Oli’s door.

Oli grabs my hand, letting me help her out of the car before looking around. “It’s gorgeous.”

“You look gorgeous,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t betray how fast my heart’s racing.

I’m a fuckboy, and I know it. The moment I met Oli, I started regretting the history I’ve left behind but all I can do is be better for her now.

This is my first date. Ever.

It’s always been hookups and sex before this.

She twirls on the spot, her smile hair catching the sun. “I love the beach.”

“Perfect for a first date?” I ask, trying to sound casual, but damn it, I want her to feel this is special.

Maybe I should have taken her somewhere nicer. I could probably call some of the fancier restaurants and drop my name.

She playfully nudges my shoulder with hers. “Absolutely.”

We leave our footprints in the sand, side by side, as we head towards the pier. The air is full of the sounds of waves crashing against the shore. I catch the salty tang on my tongue when I lick my lips.

“Race you to the pier?” She’s grinning now, challenging, and there’s no way I’m saying no.

“Prepare to be humbled, little rose.” But as we sprint across the sand, I let her take the lead.

A thrill shoots through me, chasing after my omega. As soon as she reaches the pier, I wrap my arms around her and swing her into my body.

“I caught you, little omega. What should I do with you?” I whisper in her ear.

She shivers before tilting her head back so her lips just brush over mine when she says, “You could kiss me.”

That’s all I need to hear.

Leaning in, I close the gap between us, my lips finding Oli’s in a kiss that feels like it could ignite the very air we’re breathing. Her taste is sweeter than anything I’ve ever tasted.

Strawberries, vanilla, and cream are everything to me now.

Her response is immediate and fervent as if she’s been waiting for this moment just as long as I have. Her hands tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss until there’s no space left between us. Time slows down, then stops; nothing else exists beyond the press of her lips against mine, the warmth of her body melding into my own.

We break apart, gasping for air. Our breaths mingle, a tangible proof of the heat we’ve just shared. I look into Oli’s emerald eyes, now darkened with that same unquenchable desire that’s coursing through my veins.

“Wow,” she breathes out.

“Fuck. I’m already addicted to you.”

We share a knowing smile.

Oli’s hand finds mine. Her fingers interlock with mine in a fit that feels like they’re made just for this moment.

We reach the pier, breathless and flushed. I’ve got everything I need right here.

“First date’s going pretty well, don’t you think?” I ask, a hopeful note hidden beneath the jest.

“Better than well,” she replies, squeezing my hand. “But then again, I’m with a rockstar alpha who happens to be pretty easy on the eyes.”

“Only pretty easy?” I feign offense but can’t help the smile that breaks free.

“Fine, sexier than anyone deserves to be.” Oli laughs, her amusement shining bright. “Happy now?”

“Ecstatic,” I admit. “I want my mate to find me sexy.”

The wooden planks of the pier creak under our feet, and the wind blows at Oli’s black wig.

The sound of laughter and splashes carries from the people taking the plunge off the edge. They’re jumping off the pier into the water below.

“Look at them go!” Oli exclaims, her bright green eyes alight with the kind of mischief that can only spell trouble for my sanity. “We should jump too, .”

My pulse skips. “I don’t know, Oli,” I hesitate, eyeing the water below with an unease that has nothing to do with heights and everything to do with her safety.

I can’t let my omega jump into the water below from this height.

She looks up at me with begging eyes. “, please. It’s not unsafe, and it will be so fun!”

I eye the drop, debating whether it’s worse to say no to her or let her do it.

Her arms wrap around my middle, and I melt into whatever she wants me to be in that moment.

“Please, .” Her scent wraps around me. It’s sweeter, with stronger hints of sugar and graham crackers.

“Fine,” I relent, shaking my head. “But only because I can’t seem to deny you anything.” And because seeing her light up like this does things to me.

“Thank you!” She jumps up and down, clapping her hands.

“Fuck! Jack is going to kill me,” I groan.

Her cheer is infectious as we make our way through the scattered groups of beach-goers, all soaking up the sun’s dying rays. When we reach the edge, Oli’s excitement is palpable.

I take off my shirt, and Oli removes the sun dress she has on over her bathing suit.

It’s a tiny bright purple suit that makes me want to kill anyone in the area with eyes.

“Ready?” she asks, bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet, the anticipation written all over her face.

“Ready,” I echo, though the word feels like a lie on my tongue. But then she looks at me, all wild energy and fearless soul, and I think maybe it’s worth it.

She leaps. Her body arcs gracefully through the air, a silhouette against the canvas of the setting sun. I hold my breath, every muscle tensed as if I could will her to be safe through sheer force. She hits the water with a splash.

Her head breaks the surface, and she’s laughing, tossing her wet head back.

“Your turn, !” she shouts, waving at me from below.

“Damn you, Oli Hart,” I mutter under my breath, grinning despite myself. I back up a few steps, my own adrenaline kicking in, then run and jump.

I resurface, gasping for air, and find Oli nearby. She swims over, her face dancing with mischief and excitement. “See? Not so bad!”

I shake the water from my hair, splashing it into her face.

She lunges playfully, sending a spray of salty water my way.

We start swimming together, the cool waves lapping at our skin, and I can’t help but marvel at how right this feels. Laughter bubbles up between us as we splash each other, the rest of the world fading away until it’s just Oli and me.

We emerge from the water, our laughter still hanging in the salty air.

I pull Oli against me for another kiss when my stomach gives a traitorous growl. Oli turns to me with a raised eyebrow, her wet wig hair clinging to her cheeks.

“Sounds like someone’s hungry,” she says, her voice teasing.

“Guilty as charged,” I admit, running a hand through my damp hair. “Let’s grab something to eat?”

“Lead the way, .”

We make our way up the sand, leaving behind the comforting embrace of the ocean. The beach is dotted with food stands.

“What sounds good to you, little rose?”

Oli looks around before pointing at a corn dog stand. “Do you like corn dogs?”

“Absolutely.”

Even if I didn’t, I would never say no to my omega .

“Two, please,” I say to the vendor, handing over some bills without taking my eyes off the sizzling treats. I pass one to Oli, and she bites into it with gusto, closing her eyes to savor the taste.

“Good?” I ask before taking a bite of my own.

“Amazing,” she mumbles around a mouthful, and I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

“Never pegged you as a corn dog aficionado,” I tease.

“Never pegged you as a man who’d be scared of jumping off a pier,” she fires back with a wink.

“Hey, now, I have to protect my girl. It’s the only thing that matters,” I say honestly.

Her expression softens. “Really?”

I cup her cheek. “Of course.”

She presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you.”

“I’m still glad we jumped, and I’ll make you keep doing things like that,” she says, smirking.

We polish off the corn dogs in comfortable silence.

“Ready to keep exploring?” I ask once we’ve tossed our sticks in the nearest trash.

“Absolutely,” she agrees, slipping her hand into mine.

We walk down the shore, and our hands stay locked, fingers intertwined,

“Feels good, doesn’t it? The sun, the sand, your hand in mine,” I say, squeezing her hand just a little tighter.

“Everything feels good with you, ,” she replies, meeting my gaze with those sparkling green eyes of hers that seem to see right through me.

“There are fireworks here tonight. Should we grab a spot?” I ask .

A smile lights up her whole face. “You planned the perfect date.”

“You deserve it. You’re the first girl I’ve ever taken on a date,” I confess.

She searches my face. “Then I’m lucky, and you deserve a perfect date too. And many more to come.”

The sun dips low, painting the horizon with strokes of pink and orange as we settle onto the sand. The beach around us fills up, anticipation in the air as thick as the scent of salt and sea. Oli scoots closer to me, her shoulder pressing against mine, and it’s like a jolt of electricity right through my heart.

“Tell me something about yourself,” Oli prompts.

My mind races with things I could tell her.

“I have a sister.”

She snuggles closer to me. “Oh, yeah?”

I smile, thinking about Cate. “We got separated in the system, but I found her as soon as I was old enough. She’s younger than me, and I send her money every month, but she’s successful on her own. Cate got a scholarship when she graduated and put herself through nursing school. She actually reminds me of you, finding positives in shitty situations. I wouldn’t have made it through the system if it weren’t for her and my pack. I almost got sucked into drugs, but they protected me.”

I confess more than I plan to, but I want her to know who I am.

Oli presses a kiss to the bottom of my chin. “I’m so glad you have them. I would love to meet her one day if you’ll let me.”

“Of course! I’ve already told her about you, and she’s bugging me to introduce you. She will come to one of our shows at some point,” I tell her .

“That sounds perfect.”

“She’s the one who told me to find a place with fireworks. She said they’re romantic.” I laugh at the end, nervous Oli won’t agree.

She smiles. “They are.”

The first firework explodes into the sky, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across her face.

“Perfect timing,” she murmurs. I nod, unable to draw my gaze away from her.

“Wow,” she breathes out, and I’m not sure if she’s talking about the fireworks or something else. Her eyes are wide, and those bright green irises reflect each burst of light like she’s capturing every star in the sky.

“Beautiful,” I say, but I’m not watching the show above us. It’s all her. Oli, in this raw moment, is more captivating than any man-made spectacle.

“?” She turns to me, a question in her gaze that has nothing to do with the words on her lips. My name sounds like a song when she says it, and I know I’m done for it.

“Yes, Oli?” I reply, letting her name linger on my tongue. The soft glow of another firework lights our faces, and the shadows dance across her features.

I shift, turning to face her fully, feeling the beat of my heart sync with the booms echoing in the distance. She leans in to kiss me.

Slowly, I explore, savoring her taste, committing every sigh and shudder to memory.

The scent of her arousal is intoxicating, pulling at the very core of me.

It’s raw and real, and it scares the hell out of me because I’ve never felt this tethered to anyone before. But with Oli, fear has no place.

I shift my attention to her collarbone, where I nip and suck at the delicate skin, leaving marks while she watches the fireworks again. My alpha urges me to bite her for real, breaking the skin and claiming her, but I resist.

This vibrant, charismatic omega who brings light to every shadowed corner of my life now bears the evidence of my claim.

I brand her with open-mouthed kisses and trail kisses down the column of Oli’s neck, each one more insistent than the last.

I feel her pulse leap under my lips before our lips crash together again

Our mouths move in sync

Her nails graze my scalp, and I can’t help but press my forehead against hers, our breaths mingling.

“Thank you for a perfect date,” she whispers.

I feel like the greatest alpha in the world as she lays back against my chest.

“You’re welcome, little rose.”