Page 54 of Knot Sharing the Ice

The nervous energy thrumming through me as I got ready.

The way my heart skipped a beat when I saw the pack standing in the living room, looking equal parts excited and nervous.

The easy way they integrated themselves into our family dynamic, as if they'd always been a part of it.

"It was... nice," I finally say, aiming for nonchalance and probably missing by a mile.

Taylor snorts. "Nice? That's all you've got? Em, they were a hit. Dad's still going on about how Mason fixed the garage door that's been glitching for years in five minutes flat. And Mom? I swear, if she gushes about what a 'charming young gentleman' Jayce is one more time, I might gag."

I can't help the laugh that escapes me. "Jayce? A gentleman? He must have been on his best behavior."

"Oh, he was," Taylor assures me. "They all were. It's obvious how much they care about you, Em. The way they look at you... it's like you hung the moon and stars."

Heat creeps up my neck, and I duck my head, focusing intently on my coffee. "They're just being nice," I mutter.

"No," Taylor says, her voice soft but firm. "They're smitten. And from what I saw last night, the feeling's mutual."

I open my mouth to protest, but the words die on my tongue.

Because she's right.

As much as I've tried to fight it, as much as I've told myself it's too soon, too fast, toomuch...

I can't deny the way I feel about them.

The way my heart races when they're near.

The comfort I find in their scents.

The sense of rightness I feel when we're all together.

And after a night spent tossing and turning, wishing they were here with me...

"Tay," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't... I can't just go back to Sterling City and pretend they don't exist."

My sister's eyes widen, and for a moment, I think I've shocked her into silence. But then a slow smile spreads across her face. "Of course you can't," she says. "They're your mates, aren't they?"

I blink, startled. "How did you?—"

"Oh, please," Taylor scoffs. "Give me some credit. The way you all gravitated toward each other last night? The little touches, the shared looks? It was obvious. Well, to me, at least. Mom and Dad are still blissfully oblivious."

Relief washes over me, followed quickly by guilt.

I hate keeping things from Taylor.

She's always been my confidante, my rock.

And now...

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner," I say. "I just... I didn't know how to explain it. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it myself."

Taylor reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. "Hey, no apologies necessary. I get it. This is huge, Em. Life-changing. It's okay to take your time processing it."

I nod, grateful for her understanding. "They're my scent matches," I admit, the words feeling both foreign and right on my tongue. "All four of them. I've never... I didn't think it would ever happen for me, but…"

"But here you are," Taylor finishes for me. "Oh, Em. I'm so happy for you."

She pulls me into a tight hug, and I let myself melt into her embrace. It feels good to finally say it out loud, to share this with someone who knows me better than anyone.

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