Page 100 of Knot the One They Want

He lays me gently in our nest, and I immediately reach for him, not wanting to lose contact. The others pile in around us, a tangle of limbs and warmth that should feel claustrophobic but instead feels like coming home.

"Thank you," I murmur, my eyes already growing heavy. "For coming home today. For being here when I needed you."

"Always," Damien rumbles, his voice a low purr that vibrates through me. "We'll always be here for you, Evie."

And as I drift off, surrounded by the scent and warmth of my alphas, I let myself believe it.

CHAPTER 41

LAKE

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 ourmarks. 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?"

---