Page 44 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

I loved it instantly.

While ‘Butterfly’ was light and flirtatious, there was weight and sincerity behind the shortened version of my name.

The tenderness in his voice made my chest ache. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “After that, it was just... foster homes. One after another.”

“You never had a permanent place?” Tommas asked, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of my hand. The gentle touch sent tingles up my arm.

I shook my head again. “Not really. There was one home I stayed in for about two years when I was ten. That’s the longest I was ever in one place, until…” I trailed off, memories of the OMA flashing through my mind.

“Until you designated?” Tommas guessed with more compassion than I’d have given him credit for.

I adored his playful spirit, but this serious, vulnerable side of him was captivating. Getting a peek behind the curtain and having the opportunity to see the genuine pieces of himself he usually kept hidden from others was a gift. I had a feeling only afew people got to know him like this. That he opened up to me made me feel indescribably special.

“Yeah,” I whispered. “As soon as I turned eighteen and designated as an Omega, I was handed over to the OMA. I was there for almost four years.”

Until someone kidnapped me… but I couldn’t get that part out past my suddenly tight throat.

I swallowed, leaving that chapter of my past out for the time being, not ready to face it or the nightmare still haunting the edges of my thoughts.

“Over sixteen years where I never really belonged anywhere.”

Tommas surprised me by reaching for my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Well, now you belong here, Butterfly,” he promised arduously. “With us.”

I looked up at him, my heart pounding. The candor in his eyes made me want to believe him so badly it hurt. But a lifetime of disappointment and broken promises had taught me to be wary.

“I…” I started, not sure what to say.

Tommas seemed to sense my hesitation. He tugged gently on my hand, nodding towards the pillows beside him. “Come here.” The command was soft, warm, and inviting.

I bit my lip, torn between my instinct to pull away and the desperate longing for human contact. The need for comfort won out. I scooted closer, letting Tommas guide me until I was curled up against his side.

I tensed for a moment before settling into him, my body unsure how to react to being so close to a half-naked man. But the warmth of his skin and the steady rise and fall of his chest gradually calmed my frayed nerves.

Tommas reached for his book, flipping back to the first page. “Want me to read to you?” His question rumbled through me, and I loved that I couldfeelhis words.

I nodded, not trusting my voice. I relaxed further as he dove into the pages, his rich baritone washing over me, painting vivid images of dragons and brave riders. The story was captivating, but it was Tommas’ presence that truly soothed me and chased away the remnants of my nightmares.

My eyelids grew heavy as exhaustion crept in. I snuggled deeper into his side, resting my head in the crook of his shoulder. His scent enveloped me—that subtle blend of lime, wild mint, and a hint of coconut rum.

“Tommas?” I murmured, fighting to keep my eyes open.

He paused his reading. “You can call me Tommy, if you want.”

My lips curled upward, recognizing it was a nickname he reserved for the people he considered close friends and family. A pleasant flutter went through my stomach.

“Okay. Tommy?”

He hummed approvingly, and I heard the smile in his voice. “Yes, Butterfly?”

“Thank you,” I whispered, my words slurring slightly with fatigue.

I felt his chest rumble with a soft chuckle. “You don’t have to thank me.” He turned and placed a kiss on the top of my head. “I’m happy to be your pillow anytime you need one.”

I smiled against his skin. “You know what I meant.”

He sobered. “I do. And you don’t have to thank me for that either.”

The best kind of warmth spread throughout my entire body. As I drifted off, I realized that for the first time in years; I felt truly safe.

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