Page 142 of Tangled in Knots

At the end of the night, Morris stays next to me as I walk home, and I don’t complain. There’s a warmth inside of me from the bond, keeping me from wondering about his intentions.

We don’t talk much, since I’m deep in my head thinking about what happened at work, but he loops his pinky through mine midway through the walk, and the last thing on my mind is moving away.

DAMON

I went byBrewed Awakeningthis morning, and asked if I could have Adira’s typical order to go. I want to surprise her, knowing she often skips meals and worked late last night. I’m determined to find ways to show her I see her.

After watching how Duncan and Callum made her snack, and hearing her talk about how her happy food started at this coffee shop, I’m now here.

“Why would she have anything to do with you?” the owner asks, arms folding over his chest.

Smirking, a part of me is happy there are so many people who care about my girl. While some alphas would be pissed, I’m not. Adira is special, and also in really deep shit with my dad. I want her to have a damn village of people watching out for her when I’m not able to.

“She’s my scent match,” I tell him. “I know that’s not enough to create a perfect relationship, but I want to do something nice for her. We have an early class.”

“Fuck me sideways,” he mutters. “Adira is one of the only people who made me immediately want to kill people when I first saw her. There’s one other person who can also claim that. It’ll be right out.”

“Ah, can I pay you for it, please?” I ask him, very conflicted by what I’m hearing.

“Adira’s money isn’t any good here, which means yours isn’t either,” he says.

Ten minutes later, I have a to-go box for her banana smashed toast and a protein shake.

Today is already starting out to be a very weird day. The drive goes quickly as I drive to the university, and I manage to slide in next to her before class begins.

“This is for you,” I say softly, placing her food and beverage in front of her.

“You braved Mr. Lars for me?” she asks, opening the box and giving the cutest squeal I’ve ever heard.

Day by day, I can see her gaining ground as she settles into who she is. Everything inside of me doesn’t hurt every second of the day, and I’m in awe. Morris mentioned what he did at the charity event and why.

While I wasn’t expecting him to interpret my demand for him to step the hell up in that way, I’m grateful he did.

“I would brave a lot more for you, Adira,” I admit. “Did he make it right?”

Smirking at me, she reaches in the box to grab her treat. The concoction still looks just as crazy to me with bananas as it did with strawberries, but she takes a bite of her toast happily.

“He always does,” she mumbles. “It’s my favorite ‘just because’ snack. Thank you.”

I watch greedily as Adira polishes off her food and then slowly drinks her protein shake as she takes notes in class. I’ve never enjoyed watching someone eat before. A low purr fills my chest as I listen to the professor, and I feel more than see my omega scent mark my shoulder. As soon as she realizes what she’s doing, she flushes bright red and hides her face in her hair.

Glancing at the professor, I catch him watching us, but he merely chuckles and continues lecturing. Thank God he didn’t decide to call her out. Adira is leaning into her instincts, and I want more of it.

I want to smell like snickerdoodles and frosting all fucking day.

“What are you doing this weekend during the day?” I ask her. Something keeps coming up and we haven’t been able to have our first date. February is almost over, and I have this anxious need to do it before the end of the month.

“Outside of writing a paper, nothing,” she says with a small smile.

I love seeing her open and unassuming. The suspicion is slowly beginning to fade, and I want to show her I’m worthy of it.

“Will you go ice skating with me?” I ask her. “I haven’t been in years, but I think it would be fun. Then, we can go wherever you want to eat.”

“Hoping to make me hungry?” she teases.

A part of me feels very pleased with the idea. I want to feed her, snuggle her, and show her how much I adore the beautiful omega next to me.

“Woah,” Adira mutters, rubbing her heart. “I think I want that too.”

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