Page 69 of Knot Made to Break: Part One

“That’s for resilience,” he murmured. “No matter how many times you get cut down, you keep growing back stronger.”

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the air between us felt charged.

“I wish you hadn’t believed you needed to change yourself to fit other’s expectations of you.”

“I agree.” He shrugged. “But at the time, I wanted to. Was convinced it would solve my problems.”

“And did it?”

“Some of ‘em.” His hand smoothed over his head. “But not all.”

“Kids can be so cruel,” I whispered, my heart aching for the boy he once was. “I’m sorry for the pain they caused you.”

“Don’t be.” His lips hitched up on one side, the soft smile breaking through his usual stoic facade. It made my insides flutter. “I had to go through all that shit to realize I didn’t need to change other people’s perceptions of me. I did all that work to transform my appearance, but what I really needed to modify was the way I perceived myself. That’s the thing about self-worth. It only matters thatyoubelieve you deserve love and respect. I’m finished chasing the approval of others. I learned that I’m here, I’m important, and I’m fucking enough. As long as I value myself, I don’t need anyone else to tell me I matter.”

“You might not need to hear it, but I’m going to say it, anyway.” I reached for him, cupping the side of his face. “You do matter. To me.” I swallowed, wanting to admit far more. But all I could squeak out was, “A lot.”

“Fuck, sweetness.” He stood, pulling me up with him and wrapping me in a hug. My entire body relaxed against the solid lines of his.

“I need you to know something,” I murmured against his chest, softly, barely above a whisper.

I felt his stare, and I shifted so I could meet his gaze. Those hazel eyes locked onto mine, intense and questioning. I swallowed hard, pushing through the nervousness that threatened to choke my words. “How I feel about you… it’s notbased on what you look like. It never has been, and it never will be.”

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by something softer, yet infinitely more intense. I pressed on, determined to make him understand.

“You’re strong, Gio. And I don’t just mean physically.” I reached out, hesitating for a moment before resting my hand on his muscular bicep. “You’re the rock of your family. The way you care for them, protect them, it’s incredible.”

His breath hitched, almost imperceptibly. I could feel the tension in his muscles beneath my fingertips.

“But it’s more than that,” I continued, my voice gaining strength. “You’re unbelievably kind. The way you’ve been patient with me, helping me through all of this… it means the world to me.

Gio’s eyes never left mine, and I could see a storm of emotion brewing in their depths.

“You’re protective, but not in a suffocating way. You make me feel safe without making me feel weak.” I paused, searching for the right words. “And you’re so smart. The way you observe everything, always three steps ahead… that’s a skill.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You think I’m smart, huh?”

I smirked, picking up on his flirtatiousness. “Yes, Gio. You’re smart and pretty. Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late, sweetness.” He grinned unapologetically. “You are damn good for my ego.”

Joy bloomed inside at having made one of my Alphas happy.

Gio tugged me closer, tightening our hug, leaving no space between us. His body touched every inch of mine, and heat pooled low in my belly.

“Kit.” He sobered once more. “Thank you,” he rasped, his breath warm against my skin.

My heart pounded wildly in my chest. “I just… I needed you to know. To understand how I see you.”

He leaned in closer, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me. The air stalled in my lungs, anticipation thrumming through me. But instead, his forehead pressed against mine, his eyes closing.

“You’re stronger than you think, Kitania. You’ve been through hell and yet here you stand, so damn sweet, compassionate, and understanding. You’re beautiful from the inside out and you deserve all the love and affection in the world. All my brothers and I want to do is be the ones to give it to you. You matter a fuckton to me—to all of us. I hope you know that.”

Tears watered in my eyes, and I sniffed. “Gio…” It was so damn good to hear how he felt about me. That he saw me in a way I didn’t see myself. I had no idea what to say. ‘Thank you’ seemed wholly inept. Instead, I went with a slight redirection, feeling the need to squirm under his fervent attention. “See?” I released a watery laugh. “You’re so kind.”

He guffawed at that and shook his head, a wide grin splitting his face. “I think you might be the only person on the planet who’s ever called me ‘kind.’”

“That can’t be true.”

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