Page 102 of Break Me Knot

I've never felt so complete, so utterly at peace. I've been living in black and white all my life, and now the world is drenched in vibrant color. Her soft skin is under my hands. The scent of our mingled arousal, the aftershocks of our shared orgasm, still ripple through me, all more intense, more meaningful now that we're bonded.

My chest is full, my heart too big for my body. My awareness is expanding with every second, growing to encompass this new reality where Mira is mine and I am hers in every way imaginable. I want to laugh and weep and roar with the sheer joy of it, with the overwhelming rightness of this moment.

I lave my tongue over my bond mark, soothing the sting, tasting her skin and my own claim. I hate that I hurt her, but glory with the knowledge that she’s mine now. Nothing can separate us anymore.

I vow to bring down Haven and all Hardwick stands for, but that is for another day. Another time. For now, I bring my focus back to Mira and the perfect omega she is.

The primitive part of my brain hums with satisfaction at my bite on her, knowing she bears my scent now for all the world to know. She's mine, my mate, my perfect match. And I'm hers, wholly and completely, body and soul.

I gather her closer, my knot still tying us together, reluctant to let the slightest separation come between us. I want to stay like this forever, wrapped up in her, lost in the glow of our new bond.

This is coming home. Being reborn. Finding a piece of my soul I didn't know was missing.

Mira is limp in my arms, her body soft and pliant. Her trust in me holding her like this is everything. She fits so perfectly against me, like she was made to be held by me. I marvel at how well we align, at how our bodies are designed to complement each other.

Unable to resist touching her, I cup one soft breast in my palm, her heart fluttering beneath the delicate skin. I brush my thumb over the sensitive peak, savoring the way it pebbles under my touch, the way her breath hitches.

My other hand drifts lower, skimming over her stomach to cup her mound. She's wet and warm from our lovemaking. I press my thumb gently against her clit, rubbing slow circles over the sensitive bundle of nerves. Mira jumps slightly in my arms, a tiny moan escaping her kiss-swollen lips. Even oversensitive and spent, her body responds so beautifully to me.

“You're perfect,” I murmur into her hair, my voice rough with emotion. “So perfect for me, for us. You did so well, my love. My mate.”

Her pleasure and contentment hums through our bond, muted slightly as exhaustion starts to pull at her. Her eyes flutter closed as she releases a contented sigh, her long lashes casting shadows on her flushed cheeks. I hold her close as she starts to drift, her body growing heavier as she slides into a light doze.

A growl rumbles in my chest as I trace the darkening bruise on Mira's cheek, rage burning fresh at the mark Elliot left on her perfect skin. The purple-blue discoloration stands out starkly against her pale complexion, a reminder of how close we came to losing her today. Through our new bond, I know she’s content in sleep, but the sight of that bruise makes my alpha howl for more blood.

Mira stirs and Zane's harsh whisper cuts sharp through the air. “Shut the fuck up and let her rest, Adrian. She needs it after everything she’s been through.”

I note the bulge in his pants and know she’s going to want to claim both Cole and Zane when she wakes. She’ll need all the rest she can get.

My thumb ghosts over the bruising, gentle despite the fury coursing through me. “I don't regret killing him.” My eyes never leave the evidence of his cruelty on my mate's face.

“Damn right you don’t. He hit our omega. There isn't a dimension where he lives after that. Should have made it slower. Made him suffer more.” Cole’s scent sharpens with stringent notes.

The memory floods back. Pulling into that parking lot to see Elliot restraining Mira, the absolute terror in her eyes before his hand cracked across her face. Thefaint strains of her fear had pulsed through me even then, driving me mad with protective rage. Even now, hours later, the memory makes my hands itch to tear something apart.

I’ve never lost control like that before. My alpha side blasted through me, too powerful to restrain.

“He must have worked out that she was here and came to get her knowing we were out. I can’t imagine Mira going to the parking lot independently.” Energy crackles beneath Zane’s skin. “Elliot was smart. Too smart. He hid his true nature for years while working right under our noses. Led a perfect double life.” His hands fold into fists and he pins me with fathomless eyes. “We should have seen it.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. I didn’t see it either and…now we understand the depth of his deception, he could possibly be the leak selling our suppressants on the black market right from under our noses.” Cole rests on the wall of the nest, brings his knee up to rest his elbow. He swipes his thumb over his lower lip. “I'll dig through his files, see who else might be involved. He would have left some sort of a trace no matter how careful he was. Now we know it’s him, I can narrow down my search.” His eyes darken dangerously, pine scent turning sharp as needles. “Gods help them if I find any accomplices.”

“Gods help them is right,” I agree, my voice deadly but quiet as I cradle Mira closer. “I'll rain down hell on their heads if we find anyone.”

My alpha side stirs with blood-lust. Mira shifts in my arms, making a small sound of distress. I immediately soften my touch, pushing my rage aside to focus on soothing my mate. My jaw clenches as another thought occurs. “Elliot had to be in bed with Mercer. I'm not sorry the detective put a bullet in her head, but it would have been useful to question her first.”

“This has to go deeper than Mercer, or even Hardwick for that matter. Forged death certificates, underground omega auctions... it's too sophisticated for two people, even someone with their connections,” I say, remembering the two alphas who ran off. I’ll follow up with Asher. They can’t have gotten far, considering their injuries.

Cole nods, his massive frame tense. “It would have to be an entire network. The money trail alone...” He trails off before his gaze finds mine again. “This kind of operation needs infrastructure, people in key positions.”

“We’ve put Asher in a difficult position right from the start,” I admit, thinking of our friend's determined face as he called in the scene. The image of Mercer's body on the concrete floor flashes through my mind. “Going after people this powerful... Hardwick might come for him first, try to bury this before he can build a case against her.”

“He can handle himself. He knows what he’s getting into,” Zane interjects, though his scent carries notes of concern. “He has to try and find those two missing omegas.”

“At least Mira is safe.” Our omega stirs in my arms. The conversation dies as her eyes flutter open, immediately locking onto Zane before heat floods through our bond. I know exactly what she craves. Her arousal pulses through us all.

“Zane.” Her voice is husky as she reaches for him. “Please... bond me. I need you.”

“Anything for you, Baby Girl.”

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