Page 76 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

I cupped her face in my hands, trying to soothe away the worry I saw there. “That’s the running theory. But it’s nothing for you to stress about, Butterfly. We handled shit, and everything’s fine now.”

A hint of doubt lingered in her eyes, her straight, white teeth nervously chewing on her bottom lip.

I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “We promised to keep you safe, and that’s exactly what we’re gonna do. Always.”

I witnessed the conflict within her; her trepidation clashing with her yearning to fully trust us and allow us to take care of her.

Kit wound her arms around my neck, pulling me close. I breathed her in, that intoxicating scent of moss and moon flowers enveloping me like a balm. Hands on her hips, I dragged her closer, leaving zero space between us.

“I believe you.”

“Good,” I murmured into her ear, slipping my hand beneath the back of her shirt so I could feel her creamy skin.

She positively melted into my chest, nuzzling her nose against the crux of my neck where my scent was the strongest. A shudder ran through her when she breathed deeply.

“Is it weird how much I want you to touch me like this?”

The confession was nothing but a wisp of sound.

And it hit me then that she had no idea just how touch starved she was. Or that she was allowed to crave contact and physical affection from her Alphas.

What the fuck did they teach Omegas at the OMA if not to understand their biology?

“Butterfly,” I rasped, swallowing hard as I figured out how to explain this. “Omegas need their Alphas touch. It’s not healthy for an Omega to be isolated and alone. Or to be forced to endure thewrongkind of physicality. Holding hands, cuddling, kissing, snuggling…sex… all normal. Believe it or not, my Alpha craves contact too. Hell, I’d be more worried if youdidn’twant those things with us.”

Nuzzling closer, she pressed a kiss to the side of my neck that had me stifling a groan. Those lips on my skin were fuckin’ addicting.

I fought to keep my voice steady as her mouth trailed up my throat, setting every nerve ending on fire. “You never have to feel ashamed about wanting our touch, Butterfly. It’s natural. Healthy, even.”

She pulled back slightly, eyes searching mine. “Really?” The vulnerability in that single word broke my heart. I hated all the fucked up shit she’d been through that made her doubt something so fundamental.

“Swear to God,” I assured her, tucking a strand of onyx hair behind her ear. “And you can always ask for what you need, sweet girl. Understand?”

“Yeah.” She gazed up at me from beneath coal dark lashes. “Tommy?”

Goddamn, I loved hearing her use my nickname. “Hmm?” I was too damn distracted by how her tongue peeked out to wet her lips.

“Will you… Will you kiss me again?”

Andfuckif that didn’t make my chest tighten.

“Always, Butterfly.”

I couldn’t resist sliding my hand into her hair, fisting it gently. Her scent spiked with pleasure as I leaned in and captured her mouth once more. For the first time, a purr blazed to life, growing deeper as I showed her just how happy I was to give her everything she could possibly want or need.

Because this Omega wasmine.

twenty-nine

KITANIA

I squeezedDimitri’s hand tight as he led me into an ornate Catholic church with Giovanni, Tommas, and Marco falling into step behind us.

Shafts of multicolored light streamed through the stained glass windows, casting dancing patterns of ruby, emerald, and sapphire across the polished, wooden pews. The air was thick with the scent of burning candles and the musky aroma of incense.

All eyes turned our way as Dimitri led me down the long aisle, his large hand enveloping mine protectively. Soft, mournful organ music reverberated through the vaulted ceilings, rising and falling like a somber tide. With every step, biblical scenes of angels and saints seemed to follow us.

I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes as we slid into the second row, facing the mahogany coffin at the front. Whispers rippled through the gathered crowd, and I shrank back instinctively, sidling into Dimitri, overwhelmed by the attention.Thankfully, my Alpha’s steady presence at my side was an anchor, grounding me.

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