Page 83 of My Knotty Mountain Men

I could get used to this Alpha’s-magical-touch thing.

An hour later, I’ve met the most important people in my pack’s life. Aiden’s dads, Macy’s little brothers, Tessa’s daughter, Aubry, and a few townspeople who see the guys as family. Most of them are older couples that watched the boys grow up. Jim and Betty, who own the grocery store where Nolan and I met; Ricky and Millie, owners of the bakery that supplies the cafe with sweet treats—it’s due to them that I’m worried I’m developing a pastry addiction from how many I’ve eaten today—and there’s Lenny who owns the bar.

The gathering is small and intimate, but by the look on Nolan’s face, it’s perfect.

“I wish we knew,” Aiden sighs as he comes and joins me where I’m sitting by the window watching Nolan talking, smiling, and laughing, which fills my heart so damn full.

“That he didn’t really hate his birthday?” I ask, pulling my eyes away from my Beta.

“He didn’t say anything.”

“I can’t speak for him—that is something you three are going to have to talk about. But I think he felt like if he didn’t say anything, he wouldn’t be disappointed if nothing happened.”

“What do you mean?” His brows furrow.

“If you forgot or didn’t get him something, it would hurt less if he let you believe he didn’t like his birthday.” Aiden goes to open his mouth, but I shake my head. “Talk to him about it.”

Aiden blows out a breath and nods. “We will.” Nolan laughs and we both look his way. “Look at him,” Aiden says, pulling me into his lap, unable to keep his hands off me. “You did that, baby. You made him so happy.”

“We did.” I look up at Aiden. “All of us. Together.”

Aiden kisses me, placing his hand on my belly. “All of us.”

The bell over the door chimes, catching our attention.

As soon as my eyes land on the woman in the doorway, my stomach sinks and nausea rushes through me.

“What the fuck!” Aiden snarls, his arms holding me tighter

My eyes take in the woman. She looks different than the last time I saw her. Not that I got much of a look, seeing as how I was running out of the cabin with a broken heart.

Her belly is gone, and she’s dressed in a pair of jeans, sweater, and a lavender puffer vest. Her hair is styled on top of her head in a messy bun.

“Hey, everyone!” she says cheerfully.

The whole room goes silent.

Her face falls, but I can’t see how everyone else is reacting because I can’t take my eyes off the woman who tried to take everything away from me.

My fists clench, my breathing picks up, and all I want to do is go over to her and punch her in her stupid face.

She makes it worse when she continues to talk. She forces a smile on her face and laughs. “A party, and no one invited me. I’d have to say, I’m pretty hurt.”

“Why the fuck would you be invited?” Macy growls, and I finally look away to see her stepping out of the crowd of people who are all staring at Sylvia.

Sylvia huffs, putting her hands on her hips. “Seeing how it’s a party for one of my pack members, I’d say that makes it my right to be here.”

My stomach sinks as my heart pounds in my chest. I feel like I’m going to puke.

“Oh, girl, you’re fucking delusional,” Macy scoffs with a laugh, looking ready to beat her ass. But Nolan steps forward, pulling Macy back. “Don’t. She’s not worth it.”

“Aww, Nolan,” Sylvia coos. “You're so sweet.”

“Sylvia, what the hell are you doing here?” Thomas growls, his voice sharp.

Her eyes flick over to my Alpha.Myfucking Alpha, and she gets this dreamy look on her face that makes me want to claw her eyes out. How dare she look at my Alpha like she wants to fuck him here and now.

I can feel Aiden vibrating behind me, his chest rising and falling quickly as he holds on to me for dear life, like he’s afraid I’m going to run away again. Tears sting my eyes when he leans in and whispers. “Don’t believe anything she says,” his voice cracks. “It’s all lies, Violet.”

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