Page 137 of Knot Happening Again

I nod, unable to find the words to express the emotions swirling inside me. How do I tell him that this simple actof choosing blankets and pillows has made me feel more like myself than I have in years?

"Thank you," I whisper instead, hoping he understands everything I'm not saying.

The smile he gives me tells me he does. "Anytime, princess. Now, how about we head home and see about testing out some of those new purchases?"

I blush and glance around, realizing we've lost Leon. Troy seems to come to the same conclusion.

"He'll catch up with us," he says, and he's probably right.

But I'm used to him disappearing, and I'm well practiced in schooling myself not to care.

I follow Troy out to the parking garage, slipping into the passenger seat. I'm exhausted, but picking out all those nesting supplies definitely scratched an itch I didn't know I had.

Movement catches my eye in the side mirror. I squint, trying to make out the figure running toward us. It takes me a moment to realize it's Leon, his arms laden with shopping bags.

Troy chuckles, rolling down the window as Leon reaches us, panting heavily. "Well, well. Look who decided to join us. Just in time, too. Another minute and you'd have been walking home."

Leon glares at Troy. Without a word, he yanks open the back door and collapses into the seat, the bags rustling around him.

"Cat got your tongue?" Troy teases, glancing at Leon in the rearview mirror.

Leon's only response is a low growl, barely audible over the hum of the engine. I can feel the tension radiating off him, prickling against my skin. Part of me wants to turn around, to see the expression on his face, but I resist the urge.

Instead, I close my eyes, letting the gentle motion of the car lull me into a light doze.

I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I know, Troy's hand is on my shoulder, gently shaking me awake. "Rise and shine, princess. We're home."

I blink groggily, taking in the familiar sight of the mansion's driveway. Leon is already out of the car, unloading bags from the trunk. Troy helps me out, his arm wrapping around my waist to steady me as I sway slightly on my feet.

"You look beat," he says, concern coloring his voice. "Why don't you go rest? Your new nesting stuff should be here by dinner."

"Probably not a bad idea," I agree.

As I make my way inside, I hear Troy call out to Leon, "Hey, big guy. Need a hand with those bags?"

Leon's gruff reply is lost as I climb the stairs, my feet feeling heavier with each step. I barely manage to kick off my shoes before collapsing onto the bed, sinking into the soft mattress.

Sleep claims me almost instantly.

The soundof the doorbell jolts me awake. For a moment, I'm disoriented, unsure of how much time has passed. The room is bathed in the warm glow of late afternoon sunlight, and I can hear muffled voices downstairs.

I sit up, running a hand through my tangled hair, when the bedroom door opens. Maddox steps in, a warm smile on his face.

I blink groggily as Maddox's comes over and the beta's lips brush against mine, his familiar scent of s'mores washing over me. "Welcome back to the land of the living, sleeping beauty," he murmurs, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"How long was I out?" I ask, my voice still rough with sleep.

"A few hours," he replies, helping me sit up. "Just in time, too. The rest of your things are here."

As if on cue, Troy and Mace appear in the doorway, their arms laden with bags. They stride into the room, depositing the bags on every available surface. I watch in amazement as more and more bags appear, the pile growing until it threatens to overtake the entire space.

"Did we buy out the whole mall?" I ask, only half-joking.

Troy grins, that mischievous glint in his eye that I'm quickly coming to associate with trouble. “Only about half of it, princess.”

I roll my eyes, but I can't help the smile tugging at my lips. There's something infectious about Troy's enthusiasm, even if it was a bit overwhelming at first.

Mace sets down the last of the bags, his large frame dwarfing everything in the room. "Ready to show us what you got, little one?" he asks, his gruff voice softened with affection.

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