Page 62 of Knot All is Forgiven

I catch a growl in my throat. I don't want to break whatever tenuous truce he and I have by rising to whatever bait he's throwing out there. When I give him my phone, he types into it quickly before tossing it back to me.

"I put in my number and hers. Please don't make me regret giving you her number, Cyrus. I'll tell her I did. But the moment you upset her, I'm changing the number, and we're cutting you off for good."

I gaze down at my phone like it holds the key to the universe. Which, maybe, it does. "Can I share it with the others?"

"Don't overwhelm her. That's the only guidance I'll give. This is your relationship to repair." He pushes to stand, smoothing his sweater over his stomach before pinning me with a knowing look. "I won't pretend you won't be in my life in some capacity. I'm not an idiot. I can feel that we're pack. But my loyalty is not to you. It's to the woman who wears my bite."

Chapter twenty-five

Vickasaurous Rex

Are you sure you're okay with it?

I take stock of my body, of how I'm feeling as I throw my head back on the massage chair. With everything that has been going on lately, Icarus sent me out this morning for a spa day. I've already had a massage and facial, and now I'm getting a pedicure. It's been a calm, relaxing day, and the smell they pump through the facility reminds me of my Alpha.

When he texted me to tell me Cyrus was there and he wanted to go to coffee with him, my anxiety spiked, and I knew he couldfeel it through the bond. I can't keep him from his packmates, though. If he wants to give them a chance, I owe it to him to allow him to do that. It doesn't mean I have to.

Or, that's what I tell myself.

Yeah, it's okay. I should probably be able to contact them in case I get sick.

I just wish this was easier, Vick. Why did it have to be them?

Because you always knew it would be.

You know your body and your mind despite the fact that so many told you you didn't.

I know. Doesn't make it any easier.

"Is that the color you want?" The blonde woman at my feet asks me while gesturing at the bright orange polish I'm gripping in my palm. It takes a moment for me to register her words.

"Oh, yeah, yeah, here." I hand her the bottle just as my phone buzzes again.

You have been added to the group chat "Pack Stargazer"

Unknown Number

Hey, Jay, it's Cyrus.

Simon

Peaches, hey

Unknown Number

Do I need to also throw a nickname out there so you know it's me, Jordy?

My stomach tightens. All three of them. In one chat. I'm not sure why I didn't expect this. Why did I think it would just be Cyrus reaching out? Of course, he's going to share everything with his packmates.

I stare at my phone for too long, unsure how to respond. After storing Cyrus and Rafe's numbers in my contacts, since I already had Simon's despite ignoring it for days, I bite the bullet.

Hey.

There we go—just the one word. With a period, so they know I'm pissed.

Cyrus

I know we're not exactly your favorite people in the world. But we just wanted to talk. Please.

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