Page 152 of Knot All is Forgiven

My men stand side by side, and none of them have taken their eyes off me. I've avoided looking at them until now, wanting totake in the people who have come to support us and the beautiful decorations, and now I can't look away.

Rafe stands on the end in a solid black suit with a black shirt and a deep maroon tie. His gold cufflinks and tie bar flash in the early evening sun. He's started keeping his hair longer, and the tight curls have been styled perfectly. From this far away, I can't see the nuance of his deep brown eyes, but the corners are creased from his broad smile.

Beside him, Simon's back is rigid, his hands clasped in front as he worries his fingers. He looks slightly uncomfortable in his light gray suit, and I have to admit I hate that it covers up the masterpieces that adorn his skin. But the way it stretches across his shoulders and skims his thighs makes my mouth want to water. His bright green hair is freshly dyed and slicked back into an understated pompadour, and he's forgone the tie to leave the top few buttons of his suit undone, giving me just a glimpse at the edge of my bite on his clavicle.

Icarus looks at me with so much love it nearly buckles my knees. His charcoal suit, white shirt, and pink tie are perfectly tailored, and his hair has been shorn short on the sides with the top slicked back. His deep emerald green eyes are fixed on me, and when he knows he's caught my gaze, he mouths, "I love you."

Finally, I lock eyes with Cyrus. My stubborn, grumpy Alpha looks like he's about to bust out of his navy blue suit. His curly brown hair is down, skimming his shoulders, and the sun reflects strands of gold woven in the dark locks. He's not smiling, and his throat bobs as he swallows. It takes a moment for me to place it as nerves.

I think part of Cyrus still feels like I don't fully forgive him for everything, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

I understand why they did what they did. I don't like how they went about it, and the hurt it caused was very real, but in their minds, they were putting me and my happiness first.

When I spoke to Momma Valentine about it, and she told me about Athena's experience from her perspective as a mother, my heart broke for my sister-in-law all over again. It wasn't until then that I realized I was still holding onto some anger, even though we'd all already bonded.

After that conversation, I let it all go.

Athena and Momma Valentine kiss my cheeks, and Icarus and Simon each grab one of my hands.

"You look incredible, peaches," Simon says, nuzzling his cheek against mine. "Like an angel."

"You all clean up very nicely," I respond, looking at each of them. "I mean, we should just get out of here because those suits…"

"Jay," Cyrus warns. He jerks his head towards the crowd gathered, who laugh as they watch us. My face flushes red, and I try to duck behind Icarus.

"Absolutely not, sunshine," he chuckles, pulling me back between him and Simon.

We chose not to have an officiant for our bonding. The guys told me they wanted to handle it themselves, and since they had little opinion about anything else, I decided to go along for the ride.

Icarus clears his throat. "Family and friends, thanks for being here. So many of you know Jordan's story and the role the four of us play in it, so I won't rehash that today."

"Thank God," I mutter.

He shoots me a chastising glance, and I cover my words with a cough.

"We thought instead, we'd each tell you a little bit about our relationship with Jordan Cross," he continues.

Simon steps back, and Rafe takes his place, taking my hands and turning me towards him. "Jordy, there are so many memories of mine that you are the star of. But now that we're here, with our lives tied together forever, one stands out more than the rest."

He's barely begun speaking, and my throat already feels thick with tears.

What was the point of me doing my makeup today?

"I was sixteen years old and had just come into my designation. I was the first of us, and I felt out of control. So many fears spun around in my head. What if the guys weren't Alphas? What if we weren't a pack? What if you weren't my Omega?"

I clutch a hand to my chest, fighting hard to keep my tears in. I remember how distant Rafe was until the guys presented. How hard it was to get him to come hang out.

"You were so pissed that I was hiding out that you came over to the house, banging on my door, demanding I come see you. Of course, my mom was not a fan of the racket." We both look at her, and she blushes, ducking her head. Many people laugh. "And you told her you weren't leaving until you spoke to me."

I remember that day. He never actually came out to talk to me. Eventually, his mother turned me away, telling me he wasn't feeling good and he'd see me at school.

I went home and cried, convinced I was losing my friend.

"When you left, my mom slammed open the door to my room and tore into me. She told me that I would ruin my friendships over the specter of a maybe. I wish I could say I followed her advice for the rest of my life, but we both know I didn't." He cups my face in one hand, pressing his forehead to mine. "When I think of our relationship, I think of that day. The day I realized that you would never let me go."

He pulls me in for a sweet, tender kiss, our tears mingling with each other's. "Thank you," he says softly, only for me to hear. "All those years, and you never really let me go."

"And I never will."

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