Page 129 of Knot Happening Again

But then I remember the cold emptiness of waking up alone. Abandoned. The agony of a partial bond, constantly yearning for completion. The years of anger and bitterness that followed.

What if it's the same way with the others?

What if I'm building myself up to such great heights only for it all to come crashing down harder than ever?

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing sleep to come and give me a reprieve from my tumultuous thoughts. But rest eludes me, leaving me trapped in a limbo of what-ifs and maybes.

Hours pass in a haze. I'm vaguely aware of Maddox and Rhys talking quietly, their voices a soothing background hum. At some point, a blanket is draped over me, and a gentle hand smooths my hair.

When we finally land, I'm exhausted but no closer to sorting out the mess in my head. We disembark, and I blink in the harsh fluorescent lights of the airport.

"Home sweet home," Maddox quips, but there's an undercurrent of tension in his voice.

I nod numbly, following them through the terminal. As we approach the exit, I steel myself for whatever comes next. But nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greets us.

My breath catches in my throat as we step out of the airport. There, standing in a cluster near the curb, are Leon, Mace, and Troy. My heart does a complicated little dance in my chest, equal parts joy and trepidation.

They're holding a sign. A honest-to-god, handmade "Welcome Home" sign, complete with what looks like... crayon drawings?

Before I can process this surreal sight, Mace and Troy are rushing toward me. Mace's burly arms wrap around me, lifting me clean off my feet. The scent of him—warm and sugary—fills my nose, and I find myself melting into his embrace.

"Missed you, little one," he rumbles against my hair.

Troy's there a second later, sandwiching me between them. "About fucking time you got back, princess," he grouses, but there's no heat in it. His hands are gentle as they stroke down my back.

Over their shoulders, I catch sight of Leon. He hangs back, hands shoved in his pockets, but there's a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Welcome home," he says, and something in my chest tightens at the words.

Home. Is that what this is now?

"How was the trip?" Troy asks as they finally set me down.

I smooth my hair, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. "It was great," I say, and it's the truth. It was bliss. But also torture. "I missed you guys."

"We missed you, too," Troy says, cutting a hand through my hair.

My eyes drift back to the sign, and I can't help but grin. "This is so sweet," I say, gesturing to it. Then I squint, tilting my head. "Is that... is that adick?"

Troy bursts out laughing, elbowing Mace in the ribs. "I told you so, man!"

Mace's cheeks flush a deep red. "It was supposed to be a person," he grumbles, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not the creative one."

A laugh bubbles up in my chest, genuine and warm. I stretch up on my toes, pressing a kiss to Mace's bearded cheek. "I've been missing your dick," I purr in his ear, delighting in the way his blush deepens. "So I thought it was an invitation."

He sputters for a moment before recovering. "Well, you know what they say. Art is open to interpretation."

We pile into a couple of SUVs, Mace and Troy flanking me in the backseat while Rhys takes the wheel. Leon and Maddox head off in another car, and I try not to read too much into that.

Troy's arm drapes over my shoulders, and I find myself leaning into him, breathing in his familiar scent. Mace's hand rests on my thigh, a warm, grounding weight.

"You hungry, sweetheart?" Mace asks, giving my leg a gentle squeeze.

My stomach growls in response, and I realize I haven't eaten since we left the mountains. "Starving," I admit.

Mace's face lights up. "Good thing I've got food waiting at home. Made all your favorites."

The thought of Mace in the kitchen, cooking for me, sends a warm flutter through my chest. It's so... domestic. So unlike anything I've experienced in my life before.

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