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

Chase

ALPHA TEA GOSSIP COLUMN

NEW MERCH IS RELEASED FEATURING BOTH OLI HART AND THE EDGE’S LOGOS STARTING IN DETROIT

May 7th

I bounce on the balls of my feet, the thrumming energy of anticipation pulsing through me.

“Wake up! Wake up!” I shout to the bunks on our tour bus.

Dax and Jack grumble.

“What is wrong with you?” Jack snaps and pulls that dinosaur stuffed animal closer, sniffing it.

“It’s our day off.” Dax throws a pillow at me.

Of course, Aiden gets up and looks at me because he’s nicer than everyone else. “What’s wrong, ?”

“You better get up,” I sing and move closer to the door to Oli’s nest.

I knock softly and gently say through the door, “Oli?”

I know better than to go into her nest uninvited.

Her voice sounds muffled as she says, “? You can come in.”

I’m practically vibrating as I swing the door open and go inside. Her nest is gorgeous. It’s full of soft things and dim lighting. It makes me want to rut her into the ground.

Shoving my instincts to the side, I go to Oli and spoon her from behind. “Time to wake up, little rose. I have a fun day planned for you and your alphas today.”

Oli opens one eye and stares at me. “You have plans?”

I nod.

“Group plans?” she clarifies.

“Yes! Now get up!”

I squeeze her tight before pulling her off the bed with me.

She shakes off her lethargy and becomes the ball of energy I’m used to.

“Well, then, let’s go!” Oli bounces out of the room to see Jack and Dax still sleeping while Aiden is throwing a shirt on.

She runs over to Aiden and jumps in his arms. He barely catches her before she falls to the ground.

“We are going on a date!” She presses her lips to his, and he takes advantage, kissing her back.

I’m pretty sure I should be the one getting kisses since I planned the date, but I can share my mate.

“Aiden listened to me, and now he’s getting kisses! You two should get up!” I shout.

Jack pops up, leaving the dinosaur behind to go to Oli in Aiden’s arms. He sniffs directly from her neck before pressing a kiss there.

“Jack! planned a fun day for us! You have to get ready,” Oli demands.

I turn to Dax, who still hasn’t gotten up. “Get up, Dax.”

He moves his head so his lips are just off the pillow. “It’s a date, so fuck off and leave me here.”

“Dax, you’re not bailing on us.” Oli’s tone is light but firm, her green eyes locking onto his with a playful challenge. She steps closer, and the air between them seems charged with an unspoken energy.

“Look, I’m not in the mood for—” Dax starts, but Oli cuts him off by pulling his blankets back.

“Shush,” she says, her voice soft yet somehow commanding. “Today’s about fun, and who knows, you might actually enjoy yourself.” She winks at him, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

Dax looks like he’s about to argue, but something in Oli’s gaze holds him back. He lets out a long sigh, conceding defeat. “Fine.”

With Dax’s grudging agreement, we all move to get dressed. I go to my bunk, pull a wrapped present out, and follow Oli into her nest.

“I got you something.” I hand it to her, and her eyes light up.

“You did?”

“Open it.”

She rips the paper off, and my alpha preens at providing for his mate. Getting her a gift satisfies me.

She pulls out the soft, sunflower-yellow bikini and rubs it against her cheek.

“I thought it was bright, like you,” I admit.

“It’s so soft. I love it. Thank you, !”

Oli goes up on her toes but can’t quite reach my lips. I lean down and close the difference, savoring her taste.

Strawberries explode across my tongue as I lick into her mouth before sucking on her lower lip.

It takes all my restraint to pull back and press my forehead to hers. “If we don’t stop, we won’t make it for our date. ”

She sighs. “You better go then so I can get changed.”

Once everyone is dressed, we go.

It doesn’t take long before we arrive at a secluded lake, the Michigan sun casting a shimmering glow over the water’s surface.

“Wow,” I breathe out, stepping onto the boat we’ve rented for the day.

It’s a small speed boat, perfect for five people, and what I have planned. For a second, I’m worried she would have preferred a yacht or something nicer, but of course, she fixes that.

“Isn’t this just perfect?” Oli exclaims, spinning around on the deck, arms wide open as if to embrace the entire scene. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and even Dax can’t help but let a genuine smile slip through his grumpy facade.

The boat hums to life beneath us, and we ease away from the dock, cutting a smooth path across the glassy water. Everything is serene here—the only sounds are the gentle lapping of waves against the hull and the occasional call of birds overhead. It’s a stark contrast to the roar of crowds and the relentless pulse of music that usually surrounds us.

“You know how to drive a boat, ?” Oli asks me from her spot near me.

I nod with a cocky smile.

“I wouldn’t let him drive you if he didn’t, baby girl,” Jack says.

I lean over and punch him.

Jack wraps an arm around Oli and pulls her close. Aiden takes her other side, and Dax sits near the front.

I pick up speed. The sun is warm on my skin, and Oli’s laughter dances over the water .

“There should be a cooler with some drinks,” I say over my shoulder.

Aiden and Jack both rush to grab one for Oli, making her giggle.

“I’ll take one of the lime ones, please,” Oli tells them.

Aiden hands her one before Jack can. Then, they serve the rest of us.

“What made you think of this, ?” Oli asks.

I stop the boat over a deeper area. “I looked up things to do during a Michigan summer, and this came up first!”

Dax helps me throw the anchor over the edge.

Oli comes up between us once we are secure in our spot.

“Show-off,” she teases, bumping her shoulder against mine, and I can’t help the grin that breaks free.

I rub my hands together. “Time for a swim!”

Grabbing Oli, I swing her into my arms and enjoy the feeling of her skin against mine. I lean in to whisper, “Can I toss you in, little rose?”

She giggles and nods before I throw her into the water with a splash.

As expected, Dax and Jack are on me in seconds while Aiden jumps in after her.

“What the hell, man?” Jack grabs me around the neck.

“Are you crazy?” Dax growls.

I laugh in their overprotective faces. After our beach date, I know Oli can swim and likes a little thrill. If it makes her happy, I can shove some of my overprotective alpha instincts to the side.

“Yes.” I dive in, and the cool water shocks my system.

Aiden is treading water near Oli, and I swim over to them, wrapping her legs around my waist and treading for both of us.

“You having fun, little rose?” I ask her.

She grins and squeezes me tighter. “It’s been a perfect day so far. Thank you, .”

“And thank you for including all of us,” Aiden adds, grabbing Oli’s hand and squeezing.

Oli doesn’t know it, but she’s good for our pack. She brings us closer than we’ve ever been and repairs the damage without even knowing it.

We splash and tease, the mood easy and carefree. But there’s always someone keeping an eye on Oli. When she ventures a little too far, it’s Dax who’s swimming by her side, guiding her back. When she dives under, Jack’s gaze doesn’t leave the spot where she disappeared until she resurfaces.

And when she’s floating on her back, eyes closed to the sky, Aiden is right there.

“Race you to the boat?” I suggest, and her eyes snap open, revealing a competitive glint back in full force.

“You’re on, ,” she accepts, and we’re off, slicing through the water with determined strokes.

Climbing back onto the boat, I shake my hair free of water droplets. I know my next idea is going to be a tough sell, but Oli will love it, and that’s what matters.

Jack hands her some water, making her drink half of it before he will take it back.

“You know what would crank this party up another notch?” I say, grabbing a towel and flashing a grin at my pack.

Aiden wraps a towel around Oli before asking, “What?”

“Tubing.”

The guys freeze, but Oli bounces on her toes, her wet rose gold waves catching the sunlight, and she claps her hands together. “That sounds so fun!”

“Wait a second—tubing?” Jack’s tone brings a momentary pause to her excitement, his protective instincts kicking in hard and fast. He approaches me, his towering frame casting a shadow over the boat. “You expect me to let you drag my omega behind a boat attached by only a string?”

“Jack,” Oli teases, poking him in the chest with a slender finger, “I might be smaller than you muscle-bound alphas, but don’t forget, I can handle myself.”

The concern doesn’t leave those blue eyes.

“Maybe we should just swim again,” Dax adds.

Oli rolls her eyes, turning to Aiden. “You want to tube, right Aiden?”

He stares down at her with uncertainty before sighing. “For you? Yes, sunshine.”

Oli claps her hands, her bright green eyes glinting with mischief and challenge. “Great! Then Aiden, , and I will tube, and Dax and Jack can stay on the boat!”

“Oli-” Jack tries again.

“I’m tougher than I look. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen with all you big, strong alphas around?”

“Alright, alright,” Jack relents, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “But if anything happens, I’m turning your ass red.”

“Deal,” she beams, linking her arm through his.

I grab a life jacket, tugging it over her head in one swift movement. My fingers fumble with the clasps as I make sure she’s secure.

Of course, Jack comes and checks my work, tightening it even more.

“You’ll be careful, right?” he asks her .

Oli nods, looking at me, and I puff up. “You’ll be just fine.”

Oli goes back on the tube, and I slowly drive us forward until the rope is tight.

“You better know what you’re doing, ,” Jack practically growls.

I roll my eyes. “Your lack of faith in me should hurt, but I know it’s really just your obsession with her safety.”

As the boat picks up speed, dragging the tube behind it. Oli lets out a whoop of delight that cuts through the wind.

She rides those waves like she was born for them, hair whipping around her face, laughter louder than the splash of water around her. We cheer her on, even Dax and Jack.

I turn the boat, sending her over to the side. She falls off the tube, tumbling into the water and making my heart stop.

Immediately, I spin the boat around to get her.

“What the fuck, !” Dax yells at me.

I ignore him, focusing on ensuring Oli is okay so I can breathe again.

When we get close, Jack jumps off and heads right to a laughing Oli. Her smile is bright and full of joy, letting me get oxygen in my lungs again.

Sometimes, it’s hard to be an alpha and let your omega have freedom, but her joy makes it worth it.

“Jack, you didn’t need to help me! I can swim to the boat!” Oli complains.

“Just let him care for you, sunshine,” Aiden says sweetly.

I’m pretty sure he’s the reason she lets all of us fuss over her when she gets back on the boat, even Dax.

“You’re all being silly. I’m completely fine! This is how tubing works. Now, who is next?”

We back off, and Aiden goes next. With Oli safe on the boat, we all relax and enjoy our turns. Jack even drives so I can go, which is just as much fun as I thought it would be. She lets us feed her some snacks by hand and drinks the water we suggest, making us feel even better.

When we get back to the tour bus, we are all sun-kissed, exhausted, and smiling.

“Today was perfect, . Thank you,” Oli grabs my hand and leans to my ear. “Want to join me in my nest as a thank you?”

Do I? Do I? Is she crazy? That’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I would be insane if I said no.

“Absolutely gorgeous.”