Page 133 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

I scrubbed a hand down my face in surrender. “Alright, alright. I just… I worry about you, is all.”

Her gaze softened, and for a moment, I thought she might say something to reassure me, to let me know she understood. But the moment passed, and she returned to her vigil, staring out the windows at the cityscape as if it held the answers to all her problems. As if she could simplywillmy brothers to be alright if she only kept watch.

I stood, pacing the length of the room. Our place was usually a sanctuary for me, the mix of the pack’s scents—sandalwood, honey, earth, leather, mint, moss, and moonflowers—grounding me no matter how tumultuous things got. But right now, the quiet felt oppressive.

“Maybe you’d like some tea?” I offered, and I thought I saw her give the slightest nod.

Progress.

Crossing into the kitchen, I filled the kettle and set it on the stove, then leaned against the marble countertop, studying her.The spark that made her shine, even in the darkest times, was dulled, her anxiety eating her alive from the inside out.

I couldn’t leave her like this. I had to dosomething.

When the tea was ready, I moved back into the living room and pressed the mug into her cold hands. Holding it between her palms, she breathed in the sweet scent, then took a sip, sighing appreciatively. My Alpha purred, and her eyes flew to mine.

“Come here,” I ordered gently, lounging against the corner of the couch and helping my Omega settle against me, her back to my vibrating chest. Instantly, she melted, her shoulders sagging and her taut muscles losing their rigidity.

Fuck, why hadn’t I thought about this an hour ago? I kept that purr humming, the soft burr lulling her into contentedness, if not peace. Tonight was too weighted, too stressful, to reach any kind of true tranquility, but I’d take whatever lull I could get in the underlying tension.

“They’re gonna be fine,” I promised, praying it wasn’t a lie. That everything turned out for the best and my brothers would be home safe and sound in an hour or two. “Dimitri knows what he’s doing.”

She took another sip of her tea and snuggled in tighter. “Thank you,” she murmured, so quiet I almost missed it. “For everything, Tommy. I know I’m being difficult. I’m just… I’m so scared.”

“I know.” My voice caught in my throat. “But you don’t have to be scared alone.”

For a long while, we sat like that, her in my arms, me purring for her, telling her any funny story I could think of from our childhood. Anything to make her smile. To keep her relaxed. To pass the time.

The moment her phone buzzed, she shot up, snatching the device and unlocking it with a desperate swipe. The soft low of the screen illuminated her face, and I watched the playof emotions flicker across it—relief, worry, something else I couldn’t quite pin down.

“It’s from Marco,” she gasped, her voice cracking with the sudden rush of emotion.

They were okay. For now, at least.

She read the message intently, gaze darting left and right, lips moving in silent rehearsal. They texted back and forth for a few minutes, and fuck, I was thrilled to see that spark in her eyes return. That fire was what made herher. The flame she carried may be quiet and persistent, but it burned just as hot, just as fiercely, despite the mountain of hurt she’d survived.

I’d fight like hell to make sure it never went out.

“He says they’re fine, and to tell you that he’s going to get you back for telling me the goat story.” The mischief in her grin was like the first warm day after a brutal winter, and my heart squeezed so hard I thought it might burst.

I chuckled, feeling a bit of the tension in my shoulders ease. “I’m not even sorry.”

And I wasn’t. That damn story had made her laugh, made her smile, and seeing her like this—moreherself—was worth any payback Marco could dream up. I’d take it all and then some if it meant she’d be this okay.

Her attention returned to her phone. “I miss them,” she sighed.

Beretta, as if sensing her wistfulness creeping back in, came and curled up at her feet, resting his big head on her leg.

Gracing us with a small smile, she leaned forward and scratched between his ears. He sniffed her hand, searching for the treats she was constantly sneaking him.

Her giggle was the sweetest sound. “Sorry boy. Not this time.” Another few pets and she settled against me once more. “It’s different when everyone’s here. The noise… It’s comforting.”

“Pack is comforting,” I corrected gently. “You’re one of us now, Butterfly. That’s why it feels so empty when we’re not all together.”

Nodding slowly, she took in the weight of my words. “I never understood that before. The whole ‘pack’ thing. It always seemed so far out of reach. I haven’t had a family in so long. And now I do.”

“You do. For-fuckin’-ever, Butterfly.” I swooped down and placed a kiss against her neck, sucking lightly on the skin and enjoying the little shiver that wracked her.

Humming happily, she bit her lip and tilted further, giving me better access. “Tommy,” she sighed, “Do you think—”

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