Page 149 of Knot Your Fated M.U.S.E.

The kiss is not demanding or possessive but a gentle reassurance of reality. His lips brush mine with infinite care, the contact grounding me in the present moment rather than darker possibilities.

The shadows hum appreciation of such tender intervention, their usual caution transformed into something approaching peace.

When he pulls back, those amber eyes fix on mine with surprising accuracy despite their damaged state.

"Feel this?" His hand finds mine, pressing it against his chest where a steady heartbeat proves his solid presence. "Dreams can't replicate physical sensation this precisely. Can't capture exact notes in my scent or perfect pressure of skin against skin."

He’s right.

I know he’s right.

And what I’m thankful for is the idea that he won’t get tired of having to reassure me when my emotions and insecurities get the better of me.

I press my lips together, feeling my chest tighten as my fingers lightly rest against his chest, the heat of his skin radiating into my touch. Beneath my palm, I can feel the steady rhythm of his heart, strong and grounding, and yet my voice trembles when I finally speak.

"I just…I hope you don’t get tired of me," I whisper, barely able to meet his gaze. My cheeks flush, and I force myself to continue, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. "I know I’m not perfect…far from it. But I want to prove that I can be the Omega you and your pack deserve. I want to be worth the faith you’re putting in me."

Atlas chuckles softly, the sound a warm rumble that vibrates through me. His reaction isn’t mocking, though—it’s reassuring like he finds my worries endearing rather than a burden. He leans in closer, his forehead brushing mine, and I’m captivated by how his strength feels so steady, so effortless.

"You don’t grasp how perfect you already are," he murmurs, his voice low and intimate, sending shivers through me. "My pack never thought we’d have the chance of an Omega again, and yet here you are, in my grasp, thinking you’re something we can replace, when you’re a diamond we thought would never be found in a minefield.”

My breath hitches as his words settle into me, wrapping around all the insecurities I’ve tried to bury. His certainty feels tangible, like a warm blanket against the cold doubts that whisper I’ll never be enough.

Slowly, I let my hands drift upward, trailing over the hard planes of his chest, feeling the way his muscles shift and tense beneath my touch. Every inch of him feels like a revelation, and I savor the way he holds himself so still, watching me with quiet intensity.

"Do you…well…you can’t see me?" I ask softly, the question escaping before I can think twice. I want to know if it’s just darkness or if he can get a glimpse of me.

His lips twitch with the barest hint of a smile, and his head tilts slightly as if considering how to answer.

"Not fully," he admits, his voice calm and steady. "I can see shapes, shadows…colors. I can definitely see you, little Goddess.Blurry and not as clear as I’d like, but plenty to contribute to my imagination,” he confesses. “Everywhere else, it’s enough to navigate, but not enough to truly see legally."

My fingers pause mid-trail, and I frown.

"Then why the blindfold? If you can see even a little, why hide it?"

His smile fades slightly, replaced by an expression I can’t quite place—tired, maybe, but not bitter.

"The blindfold stops people from asking stupid questions," he says, a note of dry humor in his tone. "It keeps them from staring too long or, worse, looking at me with pity. It’s easier this way…to let them believe what they want rather than face their awkwardness."

I bite my lip, hesitating before pressing,

"But why show me?"

His eyes soften, and he steps closer, his hands sliding to rest lightly on my waist.

"Because there’s nothing to hide from you, Nyx," he says simply, emphasizing the importance of using my name. "You’re my Omega. You’ll see every part of me—the scars, the past, the truths I keep from the world. I trust you with that."

His words hit me like a punch to the chest, and I can feel the prick of tears behind my eyes. I blink quickly, trying to keep them at bay, but the weight of his honesty is overwhelming.

My hands move higher on their own, brushing over his shoulders as I fight to find my voice.

"I…" My voice wavers, and I press my lips together, steeling myself. "What if I want…to continue where we left off?" I whisper, my cheeks burning as I force myself to meet his gaze. "Except…all the way."

His smirk is instant, the corner of his mouth tugging up in that infuriatingly confident way that makes my stomach flip. Heleans in, his lips so close to mine that I can feel his breath, warm and teasing against my skin.

"Are you comfortable diving into that so soon?" he asks, his tone half-amused but layered with genuine care.

I nod, my hands tightening slightly against his chest as I try to hold his gaze. "I want it to be you first," I confess, my words tumbling out in a rush before I lose my nerve. "I know it might sound crazy, but I trust you. I feel safe with you. And I know—" I swallow hard, my voice growing quieter. "I know that with you, it’ll be gentle. It’ll be what I choose. And that matters to me more than anything."

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