Knot Over (Omega Den #3)

18. Kaylani

Chapter 18

Kaylani

A surge of apprehension washes over me as Vaughn pulls up outside the weathered brick building. We ended up hanging out at the MC compound until late afternoon. It had been surprisingly pleasant getting to know his family. They were rough around the edges, but more welcoming than I had anticipated. I glance up at the neon sign, which reads, “The Ring” and my throat tightens, a knot of nerves settling in.

"Ready?" Vaughn asks, his voice gentle but firm.

"I'm nervous," I admit, my voice barely a whisper.

Vaughn cuts the engine and turns to face me, his gaze intense, yet unreadable. "You got this, doll," he says, his voice low and steady. "But if you'd rather just go home, that's okay too."

The sincerity in his voice tugs at something deep inside me. I take a shaky breath, looking at the building looming ahead. It’s more than just nerves; it’s the fear of stepping into the unknown, of confronting my own limitations.

I’m a healer, not a fighter .

Though I’m not much of a nurse anymore—that part of myself feels so distant. Who knows, maybe one day I'll go back to Sterling Hospital, but right now, I’m not ready to face it. But I know I need to face this. Face Adam and these lingering nightmares. I can’t take it anymore, feeling so helpless and vulnerable. I need to fight back. For me. For Bex. For all those omegas that are still ‘missing’.

I meet Vaughn’s gaze. “No. I’m not going home,” I say, my voice firmer. “I need to do this. I want to do this, Vaughn. To fight against everything that has ever made me feel weak. I need to take back my power.”

A slow, approving smile spreads across Vaughn’s face, and he reaches over, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “That’s my girl. Let’s go show this place what you’re made of.”

As we push open the door, the smell of sweat and old leather hits me. Inside, Vaughn leads me to a corner of the gym where a training area is set up. He turns to face me, his expression focused. "Let's start with some basics," Vaughn says, a hint of excitement in his voice. "You're going to learn how to hold your ground, Kay."

“The place is closed?” I question, raising an eyebrow.

He nods. “Yeah, I figured you’d rather not have an audience. So I asked Viper to close it down for us.”

A smile tugs at my lips at how thoughtful Vaughn truly is. This place is completely out of my comfort zone and not having an audience will definitely help. With Vaughn by my side and the gym all to ourselves, I feel a flicker of hope igniting amidst the fear.

Vaughn gestures toward the training area, where mats and equipment are arranged. His eyes gleam with a mix of pride and anticipation as he begins to guide me through the basics.

"Alright, doll," Vaughn’s voice is low and commanding as he steps closer in the dimly lit corner of the gym. "Let’s start with your stance."

Suddenly, my mouth goes dry, the sight of him in this environment almost too much. Vaughn circles to stand behind me, and I’m acutely aware of his proximity. I can practically feel his heat against my back. His hands gently guide my shoulders and hips into the proper alignment, sending a shiver down my spine. I catch a whiff of his scent, a mix of sweat and chocolate, and I bite back a groan. My senses are heightened, the awareness of him making my thoughts foggy. Despite my efforts to focus on the lesson, my mind wanders to the magnetic pull I feel toward Vaughn. There’s something about his confidence, his intensity, that draws me in. And right now, I want nothing more than for him to take me down onto the mat for a completely different reason.

"Like this?" I ask, my voice tinged with uncertainty.

Vaughn circles around me, his dark gaze locking with mine, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

"Almost," he murmurs, his warm breath brushing against my cheek. "You’ve got to loosen up, Kay. Relax."

I inhale deeply, trying to steady my racing heartbeat. Relaxing feels impossible with Vaughn so close, but I try to follow his instructions, wanting to impress him.

"Good girl," Vaughn’s voice is husky, his eyes holding mine for a lingering moment.

A shiver courses through me at the praise. I steal a glance at Vaughn, searching for any sign that he’s as affected by our closeness as I am.

"Now, let’s work on your punches," Vaughn says, stepping back slightly to give me room.

I mimic his stance, throwing a jab into the air. "Like this?" I ask, trying to ignore the way Vaughn’s eyes roam over my form, assessing and lingering.

Vaughn nods, a playful glint in his eyes. "Not bad, doll. But remember, it’s not just about the size of the person. It’s how you use your whole body to deliver the punch. Your power comes from the ground up, not just your arms."

He steps closer, and the heat between us intensifies as his hand gently guides my hip. His touch is intimate, and I have to force myself not to react to the heat of his fingers.

"Use your body weight to your advantage. Start with your feet, plant them firmly. As you throw the punch, rotate your hips and shoulders, letting the energy flow from your core through your arm. It’s a full-body movement, not just an arm swing."

I struggle to focus on his instructions, feeling the warmth of his hand on my hip. Every fiber of my being wants to react to his touch, but I force myself to concentrate on the technique. I shift my weight, pivoting on my heel and trying to integrate his guidance.

"Good," Vaughn murmurs, his voice low and approving. "Feel the difference? It’s about channeling that energy effectively. The punch is powerful not because of brute strength, but because you’ve harnessed the power of your entire body."

I gnaw on my lip as I concentrate on what he is saying, and throw my body into the next jab. "Better?" I ask breathily, feeling the burn in my muscles.

"Much better," Vaughn confirms, his gaze intense. "Keep practicing. The more you integrate your whole body, the stronger your punches will become."

I blow out a breath and attempt the movement a few more times before adding my left hand to the motion. But it feels awkward and stiff, lacking fluidity, and I struggle to get it just right.

Vaughn chuckles, stepping closer once more. "Getting there," he murmurs, his voice husky. "But I think you can do better."

Our bodies are inches apart now, the heat between us undeniable. My pulse quickens as I feel Vaughn’s presence, his scent overwhelming my senses. I meet his gaze, my own filled with determination.

"Show me," I challenge in a soft whisper. I’m not so sure I’m talking about how to throw a punch anymore. He takes a couple of steps back, and I’m grateful for the momentary distance. I take in a few deep breaths, watching as he walks across the room to a shelf with boxing gloves and various gear. I wipe the sweat from my brow, taking a swig of water before setting it down on the edge of the mat.

"Alright, let’s see what you’ve got," Vaughn says with a smirk, holding up his gloved hands.

I frown. "What am I supposed to do, punch you?" My eyes bounce between Vaughn’s hands and his face. Suddenly, I feel unsure. As an omega, I’ve never been much of a fighter, especially not with my fists. How do I admit that I don’t even know how to hold my fist properly? What if I break my thumb or something? My mind reels with thoughts, and I steady myself with a deep breath.

"Come on, Kay, put your hands up like I showed you," Vaughn encourages softly.

I blow out a breath, a piece of hair falling into my face from my ponytail, brushing against my cheek. Bouncing back and forth for a moment, I brace myself before throwing the first punch into his gloved hand. The impact feels solid, and a surge of power flows through me. I pivot my weight, using my body to drive the next punch with more force, landing a stronger hit against his gloves.

"That felt good," I admit. A zing I've never felt before courses through me, and I grin. Vaughn's eyes widen slightly with surprise, and he raises his brow in approval.

"Good job doll." I see a flicker of admiration in his gaze, and a swell of pride rises within me. I let out a breathless laugh.

"Alright. I'm calling it," Vaughn says, his voice edged with a new note of respect. "Let’s take a break."

I nod, taking wobbly steps toward my water bottle, collapsing onto the mat in a heap when I reach it. Vaughn comes over and sits down beside me, and for a moment, we sit in comfortable silence. A thin sheen of sweat gathers on his brow, a drop pooling and traveling down the side of his sharp jaw. My eyes track the movement, and I have this sudden urge to taste the saltiness on my tongue. There is just something about my betas taste that is addicting.

Vaughn’s eyes darken as they meet mine, a hint of lust seeping into his dark chocolate gaze. A smile spreads across his handsome face. "Alright, doll. One more time and I’ll give you exactly what you’ve been begging me for the last few hours, right here on the mat."

My throat bobs at the implication. "Deal?" he asks, his eyes ghosting over my heated skin.

"Deal."