Knot Over (Omega Den #3)

6. Creed

Chapter 6

Creed

I ’m so stunned by the interaction that I almost miss Vaughn descending the stairs. I startle as he speaks, my nerves fraying further. “Knock it off, Unc,” Vaughn says, his warm palm resting on the back of my neck.

His touch is a comforting contrast to the tension in the room. My shoulders sag in relief as I glance up at Vaughn, then back at Viper. The older man’s stoic expression remains unreadable, making me wonder if he already harbors a grudge against me.

But then, after an agonizingly slow moment, Viper bursts into laughter. The laughter from Viper seems genuine, but I can’t shake the unease that still lingers. He claps me on the shoulder with enough force to make me wince, and I grit my teeth against the pain, forcing a strained smile.

The stocky guy next to Viper finally speaks up. “Don’t pay our prez no mind. He’s just busting your balls, son.” The older man grins toothily. “I’m the tech genius around here. Name’s Pixie.”

Pixie?

The name strikes me as absurd given the guy’s bulldog build—broad shoulders, a thick neck, and arms that could probably crush rocks. The irony is not lost on me, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to suppress a laugh. Maybe that’s the point.

“Nice to meet you, Pixie,” I say, forcing a relaxed tone. Though the humor isn’t lost on me I'm not in a joking mood right now. Pixie’s grin widens, clearly accustomed to the reaction his name provokes.

“Likewise,” Pixie replies, giving me a hearty slap on the back that nearly knocks the wind out of me. “So, you’re the one who’s got Vaughn all lovesick, huh? Must be something special.”

I glance at Vaughn, who is barely containing his amusement. He gives me a subtle wink, which makes me feel a little better. “Ignore them, love. They’re just trying to get under your skin. And Pix here is all bark,” Vaughn murmurs into my ear.

The reassurance helps, and I feel a fraction of the tension ease. “Well, they’re doing a great job,” I mutter, earning another laugh from Pixie and Viper.

Fucking alphas.

As Viper’s laughter dies down, his gaze shifts back to me, a glimmer of amusement still in his eyes. His dark stare turns back to Candi's and a subtle hitch catches in her throat at his attention, leaving me frowning. I’m unsure how I feel about my best friend being interested in the Steel Serpent MC president.

Viper’s attention snaps back to Vaughn. “Where is Huxley? He told us to meet him here, and he didn't show?”

My anxiety spikes as I glance between Vaughn and Viper. I too am wondering where my alpha is as the uneasy silence stretches between us.

“Hux is making a connection with a few Hounds. It'll just be us meeting today,” Vaughn answers, his tone clipped and neutral.

I frown. Hux isn’t here? I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to hold back my frustration and focus on Viper.

Viper’s gaze narrows on Vaughn, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “Why the fuck are you working with strays?”

Vaughn’s nostrils flare with irritation. He hates that slur. It doesn't matter if Viper believes the Hounds are lowlifes, he knows calling them stray's will rub Vaughn the wrong way.

“We need to take back control of Sterling City, Unc. Some of the Hounds might be able to help with at least part of that.”

“You can't honestly think you're going to win by recruiting from the slums? Not if you want our help, Vaughn. No. We don’t work with Hounds.” Viper steps closer to Vaughn, his tone hardening into a threat. “Ever.”

Candi’s eyes flash with anger, her stance defiant as she steps forward. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Just because you’re the president of a little motorcycle club doesn’t mean you’re better than them. You don’t get to come in here demanding shit , Viper.”

Viper raises an eyebrow, clearly entertained by her defiance. “You’re the one asking for our help, sweetheart . We get to set the terms of that arrangement.”

“Vaughn may trust you, but I don’t,” Candi growls, lifting her chin in defiance. “If you want to be a part of something that takes back control of Sterling City, then you’re going to do it my way.”

Pixie laughs, shaking his head with a mix of amusement and admiration. “Damn, prez. Don’t mess with the feisty omega.”

“All you alphas are the same,” Candi retorts, her eyes narrowing at Pixie.

Pixie steps closer, invading her space in an attempt to intimidate. But Candi stands her ground. They’re almost eye level, with Pixie only a few inches taller. There's tension between her and the older alpha as they stare each other down. A silent struggle of wills. She narrows her eyes at him, and Pixie's smile widens approvingly.

“You really aren’t afraid of us, are you?” Pixie asks, his tone almost admiring.

“Afraid of you? Why would I be afraid of you?”

Before Pixie can respond, Ghost’s voice booms from across the bar, slicing through the tension with a commanding authority. “Enough.”

I almost forgot he was here.

I watch him casually cross the bar toward us. His presence is overwhelming, the air around him crackling with his dominance. His eyes sweep the room, missing nothing.

“Who are you saying we should trust?” Ghost demands, his gaze locked with Candi's. “If you don’t trust us, why should we trust your judgment?”

I startle at the force of his gaze, my instincts urging me to submit to his dominant presence. His green eyes flick to me momentarily, and I unconsciously take a step back, the intensity of his stare almost suffocating. My back hits Vaughn's chest and his chocolaty scent calms me slightly.

Vaughn clears his throat, answering in a steadier voice. “You should trust me, Ghost. You know me . And I'm telling you, Shade Jacobs has a plan to take out Titus. But for now we need to give a safe space to omegas. Everything in our city is going to shit and they deserve that much.”

The two best friends have a stare off as my mind reels with this information, and I find myself blurting, "Shade? Kaylani’s foster brother?" As my eyes narrow at Vaughn over my shoulder.

Vaughn nods, and a pang of frustration bubbles in my gut. There’s more to Hux’s plan than I’m being told, and I don’t like being left in the dark by my pack.

“Fuck no. I'm not working with Shade,” Viper snaps, his gaze flicking between Vaughn and Ghost. His jaw is clenched, and the tension in the room is almost unbearable, thick and heavy.

I let out a breath, exchanging a worried look with Candi. Her brows are furrowed, her expression a mix of determination and frustration. She needs this place most of all.

Before I can second-guess myself, I find my voice. And hope I'm right, that there is something going on between my best friend and the Serpents president. “Candi is unmated. Well, so am I... But not for long,” I say, glancing briefly at Vaughn. "Kay and I won’t be registering with the sanctuary, I can guarantee that. But Candi? I’m not sure what other options we have for her. She needs The Omega Den." I turn my attention back to Viper, hoping I'm not wrong and his instinct will be to protect her. “She will have to register with Bramwell along with all other unmated omegas in Sterling. It will be mandatory before long.”

The room falls into a heavy silence and Viper’s expression shifts, a mix of anger and calculation crossing his face. He turns his gaze to Candi and steps closer, his voice dropping to a soft, probing whisper.

“Do you want that, sweetheart? To give the Bramwell Sanctuary control over your scent match?” His eyes bore into hers, a dangerous curiosity glinting in their depths.

The thought of Candi being manipulated and controlled by the Sanctuary sends a shiver down my spine.

Candi’s eyes narrow, her resolve unwavering. “No one will choose my pack for me, Viper,” she snaps, her voice carrying a challenge. “And that includes you.”

Viper’s lips curl into a faint smirk, but there’s a dark edge to his smile. “I respect that,” he says quietly. “You shouldn’t have your future dictated for you, sweetheart. But I’m curious.”

He tilts his head, his gaze sweeping down her frame with a predatory glint. “You’re perfuming. Is it for me? Ghost? It damn sure isn't for Pixie.”

I realize with a jolt that Viper is essentially asking if she’s attracted to him, if she’s considering him as an option.

Candi’s lips twitch into a sardonic smile, her arms crossing over her chest. “Are you going to help us or not, Viper?” she demands, her voice cutting through the charged silence with a sharp edge.

She’s not backing down, her defiance clear despite the undercurrent of tension between them. The air crackles with anticipation, as if the room itself is waiting for Viper’s response. He glances back at Ghost, who gives a subtle nod.

“Yes, Candi,” Viper finally says, his voice soft but firm. “I’ll help you, but under one condition.”

He steps closer to her, his gaze intense and unwavering. “I want you as my omega.”

Candi’s eyes widen in disbelief, her mouth slightly open as she absorbs his words. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You think you can just waltz in here and make demands like that?”

Viper’s expression remains serious, his gaze unyielding. “Consider this, sweetheart. You need protection and a secure place to call home. Your brother will soon have a pack of his own and the Bramwell Sanctuary won’t offer what you need. Plus, I’ll let you choose any of my men to bond with—hell, claim them all if you want. I just want to be first.”

“Let me choose who I want,” she scoffs, a shiver of discomfort running through her. “And why would I ever consider becoming some omega slut?”

Viper’s smirk widens, clearly confident in his offer. “You’re already thinking about it,” he says with a soft chuckle.

His voice drops to a whisper.. “Here’s the deal. Agree to at least consider being mine, and I’ll help you with your club.” His fingers brush her hair over her shoulder..

I stifle a snort, watching as Candi’s sharp, calculating gaze shifts to me. Her expression is a mix of frustration and contemplation, clearly weighing her options.

Fuck. My best friend is totally screwed.

It’s official—Candi Huxley has met her match.