Page 55 of My Knotty Mountain Men

He chuckles. “You naughty little thing. Got off in the shower, too?”

“Maybe.” I shrug.

We just sit there, enjoying the warmth of the water for a moment, eyes on one another as we just appreciate each other.

“So...” I start, playing with the hair at the base of his neck. “Tell me about yourself, Nolan Wheeler. I think it’s about time I get to know the men I’m starting a family with, don’t you think?”

“A family.” He smiles, eyes dropping to my baby belly. “I still can’t believe we’re having a baby.”

“Same.” I smile.

“We’re so excited, Violet.” He looks back up at me. “You're giving us our dream, you know?”

“I’m glad,” I whisper, my heart fluttering. “You're giving me mine too.”

“That's all we want—to make you happy, to give you what you want and need.”

“I want that too, you know,” I say. “I want you to know, you being a Beta, and having a relationship with the guys is not something I’m bothered by. I just wanted to get that out there. I know some Omegas are very territorial and don’t like to share. But that's not me. I just want everyone to be happy, you know? We love who we love, and I wouldn’t ever ask anyone to give that up.”

Fuck, his smile makes my belly swoop. “And that's one of the many reasons why I know we’re going to fall so madly and utterly in love with you, little Omega,” he murmurs.

My heart starts to beat faster and harder.

Love.It’s too soon to use that word, but I know it’s inevitable with my new pack. From the little I know about them already, I know they’re perfect for me. Everything I could want and more. Our start might have sucked, but I know our journey will be so much better, our future a lot brighter.

“So,” I clear my throat, emotions clogging it. “Tell me about yourself, Nolan Wheeler,” I repeat in a playful tone.

“Well...” He grins. “My name is Nolan Tyson Wheeler. I’m thirty-five, almost thirty-six, as my birthday is in a few days.“

“It is?” My eyes widen. “When?”

“April first,” he sighs dramatically.

“Oh no.” I cover my mouth, feeling bad for him but also trying not to smile.

“Yup. Trust me, growing up having your birthday on April Fools’ Day sucked.”

“Did the kids at school mess with you?” I ask, running my hands through his hair.

He groans, eyes fluttering shut. I smirk.

“Kind of. But the kids weren’t bad. It’s my family. One year, my dad thought it would be funny to make me think everyone forgot it was my birthday. I spent the whole day feeling like no one cared. And when I brought it up to them the next day, my dad laughed, said April Fools, and then everyone went on as if nothing happened.”

“Wait... so you didn’t get any presents or a party?” I ask, my smile dropping.

“Nope.” He runs his hands up and down my thighs. “I felt so much resentment towards them for a long time. Didn’t find out until I got older that it was because my parents couldn’t afford anything, and my stupid brother thought it would be a good solution rather than being honest. I would have understood, all that mattered was that I was spending time with my family.”

“How old were you?” I ask, feeling sorry for younger Nolan. That's messed up. I couldn’t imagine my parents being that cruel.

“Thirteen,” he answers, looking away. “After that, I didn’t have any parties, just a happy birthday and that's it. Because, according to them, I was a teenager now and was too old for those kinds of things.”

“What?” I gape at him. “That's bullshit. I’m twenty eight and the girls do something with me every year. After my parents died, birthdays weren’t something I really cared for because they sucked without them, but as soon as I went to Calling Wood and met the girls, that all changed. I had people to celebrate with again. I wasn’t alone.” I frown. “Did it change when you met the guys?”

“Kind of?” Nolan says. “I kind of ended up not caring about my birthday because it was just any other day to me at that point.” He gives me a guilty look. “Wanna know something even the guys don’t know?”

I give him a worried look. “Depends. Is it going to get me in trouble?”

“No,” he chuckles.

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