Knot the One They Want (Claimverse Book 1)

The brush glides across the canvas, each stroke a whisper of color that brings life to the image before me. I step back, tilting my head as I study the painting with a critical eye. It’s nearly finished, just a few more touches needed to capture the ethereal glow of my exquisite subject’s skin in the soft morning light.

Cole’s heavy footsteps echo behind me, but I don’t turn. I know he’s there, watching, assessing. His presence is as familiar to me as my own heartbeat.

‘Damn, Lake,’ he finally says, his voice low and appreciative. ‘This might be your best work yet.’

I glance at him, a hint of a smile tugging at my lips. ‘You think so?’

He nods, his eyes never leaving the canvas. ‘Definitely. You’ve really found your muse, haven’t you?’

The smile blooms fully now, warmth spreading through my chest. ‘Yeah,’ I admit softly. ‘I have.’

The painting captures Evie in a moment of quiet beauty, sitting at her vanity as she prepares for the day. Her golden hair cascades over one shoulder, leaving the graceful curve of her neck exposed. And there, stark against her creamy skin, are our marks. Four distinct bites, a visual testament to her place in our pack.

‘It’s going to be the centerpiece of my showing next week,’ I tell Cole, unable to keep the pride from my voice. ‘I think it’ll be my most popular piece yet.’

Cole’s brow furrows slightly. ‘Does Evie know about it?’

I shake my head, a mischievous glint in my eye. ‘Not yet. I want it to be a surprise. She’ll see it for the first time at the showing, along with everyone else.’

‘Everyone else?’ Cole echoes, his eyebrows shooting up.

‘Yeah,’ I confirm, setting down my brush and wiping my hands on a nearby rag. ‘I invited our families. Figured it was time to make a proper introduction, you know?’

Cole lets out a low whistle. ‘Shit, Lake. That’s… that’s a big step.’

I know what he’s thinking. Our families can be… a lot. And even within the pack, they don’t always get along without adding the Beaumonts to the mix. But Evie… she’s changed everything. She deserves to be celebrated, to be introduced to our world as the heart of our pack. Properly this time.

‘She’s worth it,’ I say simply.

Cole’s expression softens, a rare vulnerability shining in his eyes. ‘Yeah, she is.’

We lapse into a comfortable silence, both of us lost in thoughts of our omega. It’s still surreal sometimes, how much Evie has come to mean to all of us. How she’s managed to breach the walls we’ve spent years building, soothing old wounds and bringing us together in ways we never thought possible.

‘You know,’ Cole says after a while, his voice thoughtful, ‘I never thought I’d see the day when Damien would pull his head out of his ass. But Evie… she’s like fucking magic or something.’

I chuckle. ‘Magic. That’s one way to put it. But you’re right. He’s like a different alpha these days.’

And it’s true. The cold, ruthless Damien we’ve known for so long has softened around the edges. He smiles more, laughs easier. The haunted look that’s shadowed his eyes since Daria left is finally starting to fade.

‘Seems like he’s finally gotten over Daria,’ Cole muses, echoing my thoughts.

I nod, but something twists in my gut. A nagging doubt I can’t quite shake. ‘Yeah, I’m relieved, but…’

Cole’s eyes snap to mine, sharp and assessing. ‘But what?’

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. ‘There’s a part of me that’s afraid, you know? Damien… he doesn’t move on easily. What if this is just the calm before the storm?’

Cole’s jaw clenches, a flicker of worry crossing his face before he masks it. ‘I know what you mean. But he seems genuinely happy with Evie. Happier than he ever was with Daria.’

‘True,’ I concede. ‘But you know how he is. How we all were back then. Daria fucked us up good. What if…’

I trail off, unable to voice my deepest fear. What if Damien’s just waiting for the other shoe to drop? What if he’s just biding his time, waiting for Evie to betray us like Daria did?

Cole’s hand lands on my shoulder, warm and grounding. ‘Hey, don’t go borrowing trouble, Lake. Evie’s not Daria. She’s proven that a hundred times over.’

‘I know,’ I say with a sigh. ‘I know she’s different. Special. I just hope Damien knows that.’

‘I get it. Trust me,’ he says. ‘But if Evie has decided to give us all another chance, him included, we owe it to her to do the same.’

I nod, forcing a smile. ‘You’re right. Of course you’re right.’

‘Aren’t I always?’ Cole grins, lightening the mood.

I roll my eyes, shoving him playfully. ‘Don’t push it, asshole.’

We lapse into silence again, both of us staring at the painting of Evie. She looks so serene, so content. It’s a far cry from the guarded, wary omega who first came to us. The change in her is as remarkable as the change in us.

‘I guess we’ll just have to wait and see,’ Cole says finally, his voice soft. ‘Take it one day at a time.’

‘Yeah,’ I agree, picking up my brush again. ‘One day at a time.’

As I add the final touches to the painting, I can’t help but marvel at how far we’ve come. From the broken, bitter alphas we were to the pack we are now. It hasn’t been easy, and we’ve still got a long way to go. But with Evie by our side, it feels like anything is possible.

I step back, admiring the finished product. Evie’s gorgeous blue eyes seem to sparkle on the canvas, full of life and love. It’s the most intimate piece I’ve ever created, a window into our private world. Part of me wonders if I’m crossing a line by displaying it publicly. But a larger part of me wants the world to see her as I do. As we all do.

Beautiful. Strong. Ours.

‘It’s perfect,’ Cole murmurs, his voice thick with emotion.

Just like her.

As I start cleaning up my supplies, my mind wanders to the upcoming showing. I picture Evie’s face when she sees the painting for the first time. Will she be pleased? Embarrassed? I hope she’ll see it for what it is—a declaration of love, a testament to her place in our lives.

‘Come on,’ Cole says. ‘Let’s get back to the pack. Evie’s making dinner tonight, remember? She sent the servants home early. Said she wanted it to be just the five of us.’

My stomach growls at the mention of food, reminding me that I’ve been so caught up in painting that I skipped lunch. ‘Shit, yeah. Let me just finish cleaning up here.’

Cole helps, and a few minutes later, we make our way back to the main house, the scent of something delicious wafting through the air. My mouth waters, and I pick up the pace. Cole chuckles behind me, no doubt just as eager.

We find Evie in the kitchen, her hair piles in a deliciously casual style atop her head as she stirs something on the stove. She’s wearing one of my shirts, the hem barely skimming her thighs. The sight of her in my clothes does something primal to me, a possessive growl building in my chest. She’s gorgeous all dolled up, but there’s something about seeing her like this, vulnerable and just a little bit uncharacteristically disheveled, that makes me want to pin her up against the wall and have my way with her in the kitchen.

Even if I know she’d probably attack me with that spatula in her hand for messing up dinner. I can’t help but grin at the thought.

She turns at the sound of our approach, her face lighting up with a smile that never fails to take my breath away. ‘There you are! I was starting to wonder if I’d have to send out a search party.’

I cross the room in three long strides, wrapping my arms around her waist and burying my face in her neck. Her scent envelops me, sweet and familiar. ‘Missed you,’ I murmur against her skin.

Evie laughs, the sound light and musical. ‘I missed you too. But if you don’t let me go, dinner’s going to burn.’

Reluctantly, I release her, but not before pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. Cole swoops in next, stealing a quick peck on her lips before she shoos him away with a playful swat of her wooden spoon.

‘Where are Asher and Damien?’ I ask, settling onto one of the barstools at the kitchen island.

‘Asher’s on his way home from the studio,’ Evie says, turning back to the stove. ‘And Damien texted to say he’s running a bit late, but he’ll be here soon.’

I exchange a glance with Cole, both of us thinking the same thing. A few months ago, Damien would have stayed at the office all night without a second thought. Now, he makes it a point to be home for dinner with the pack. It’s a small change, but a significant one.

As if summoned by our thoughts, the front door opens, and Damien’s familiar footsteps echo through the foyer. He appears in the kitchen doorway a moment later, his tie loosened and his jacket slung over one arm.

‘Sorry I’m late,’ he says, his eyes immediately seeking out Evie. The tension visibly drains from his shoulders as he takes her in, safe and happy in our home.

Evie turns, favoring him with a warm smile. ‘You’re just in time. Dinner’s almost ready.’

Damien crosses the room, pressing a tender kiss to Evie’s forehead before moving to hang up his jacket. The casual intimacy of the gesture, so unlike the Damien of old, puts some of my fears to rest.

Asher arrives a few minutes later, completing our little family. As we gather around the table, passing dishes and trading stories about our day, I’m struck by how natural it all feels. How right.

Evie sits at the head of the table, her presence a soothing balm that smooths over any lingering rough edges between us. She laughs at Asher’s terrible jokes, listens intently to Damien’s work stories, and playfully teases Cole when he goes in for his third helping.

And through it all, she keeps shooting me these little glances, soft and secret, like we’re sharing some private joke. It makes me want to sweep her into my arms and never let go.

As the last forkful of dessert disappears, a comfortable lull settles over the table. I clear my throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

‘I have an announcement,’ I say, my heart quickening. ‘I’ve invited our families to my art showing next week.’

The reaction is immediate. Damien’s eyebrows shoot up, Asher grins widely. Cole already knows, so he doesn’t react visibly at all—not that he ever really does.

But it’s Evie’s response that catches my eye. Her smile falters for just a moment, a flicker of something—worry? fear?—crossing her face before she schools her expression.

‘That’s wonderful, Lake,’ she says, her voice a touch too bright. ‘I’m sure it’ll be lovely to have everyone there.’

The others launch into excited chatter about the event, but I can’t shake the nagging feeling that something’s off with Evie. She participates in the conversation, laughing at the right moments and asking appropriate questions, but there’s a tension in her shoulders that wasn’t there before.

As dinner winds down, Evie stands to clear the plates. ‘I’ll take care of the dishes,’ she offers, but Damien waves her off.

‘Nonsense,’ he says, rising to his feet. ‘You cooked. We’ll clean.’

‘Yeah, Evie,’ Asher chimes in, already stacking plates. ‘Go relax. We’ve got this.’

I seize the opportunity, gently taking Evie’s hand. ‘Why don’t we take a walk in the garden? The night air is perfect.’

She hesitates for a moment before nodding, allowing me to lead her outside. The cool evening breeze caresses our skin as we stroll hand in hand through the manicured paths of the Blackwood estate.

‘Evie,’ I start, my voice soft. ‘Is everything okay? You seemed… off when I mentioned the families coming to the showing. If you’re not comfortable with it, I can tell them not to come.

She turns to me, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. ‘Of course not. Everything’s fine. I’m just a little nervous about meeting everyone again for the first time since our mating ceremony, that’s all.’

I stop, turning to face her fully. ‘Evie,’ I say gently, cupping her face in my hands. ‘You know you can be honest with me, right? If something’s bothering you, I want to know.’

She looks away, biting her lip. For a moment, I think she’s going to brush me off again. But then she sighs, her shoulders sagging.

‘It’s just… my family,’ she admits quietly. ‘They’re not exactly the most supportive. I’m not sure they’ll even show up.’

The admission hits me like a punch to the gut. Suddenly, their absence at the hospital takes on a whole new meaning. It wasn’t just a fluke or bad timing. They really don’t appreciate her.

‘Oh, Evie,’ I breathe, pulling her into my arms. She buries her face in my chest, her body trembling slightly. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘It’s okay,’ she mumbles against my shirt. ‘I’m used to it.’

But it’s not okay. Not at all. And the realization that we, her pack, initially treated her with the same disregard as her family… it’s like a knife twisting in my heart.

‘No, it’s not okay,’ I say firmly, tilting her chin up to meet my gaze. ‘You deserve so much better than that. And I’m sorry we didn’t see it sooner.’

A single tear escapes, rolling down her cheek. I brush it away with my thumb, my chest aching at the vulnerability in her eyes.

‘Thank you for telling me,’ I whisper, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. ‘For being honest and open with me. It means more than you know.’

She manages a watery smile, leaning into my touch. ‘I just… I don’t want to disappoint you if they don’t show up.’

‘Evie, listen to me,’ I say, my voice low and intense. ‘You could never disappoint me. Never. It doesn’t matter if they show up or not. All that matters is that you’re there. You’re the heart of this pack, the center of our world. Nothing else matters.’

She looks up at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears and something else—hope, maybe.

Or love.

My breath catches in my throat at the intensity of her gaze.

‘I love you,’ she whispers, the words a balm to my soul. ‘All of you. So much.’

I pull her close again, burying my face in her hair. ‘We love you too, Evie. More than you could ever know.’

We stand there in the moonlit garden, wrapped in each other’s arms, letting the night air cool our heated skin. And as I hold her, I make a silent vow. To always be there for her, to show her every day how much she means to us. To be the family she deserves.

Because Evie isn’t just our omega. She’s our everything.