Page 44 of Break Me Knot

“Hey. Mira.” Zane cuts through the tension, his voice light, his arm still warm around my shoulders. “What do you think about what I picked out?”

I blink in confusion until he turns his laptop screen toward me. The shopping cart he's loaded makes me suck in air. A hot pink sequined jumpsuit looks like it escaped from a disco, and those rainbow striped leggings would make my eyes hurt to wear. There’s a T-shirt with 'Alpha Bait' written across the chest in glitter letters, and what appears to be a tutu in neon green.

I peer at him, trying to determine if he's serious. His blue eyes dance with mischief, and the knot in my stomach eases at his obvious attempt to make me smile. It's such a normal thing, teasing, joking, trying to lighten a heavy moment. Something I haven't experienced since... since before Haven. “What’s the matter? Don’t like the clothes I picked out for you?”

“These aren’t…You're not actually...” I stop when his grin widens.

“What, you don't think the sequins would look fabulous on you?”

A sound escapes me, not quite a laugh, but closer than anything I've managed in years. The sound is foreign in my throat, dangerous almost. Allowing myself this small moment of lightness might break whatever spell is keeping the real world from crashing down around me.

Zane pushes the laptop between us. “Here, take out what you don't want,” he says, as if this is normal, as if alphas regularly shop online with omegas they don’t know. His shoulder presses against mine, his amber scent hitting me in the back of the throat with a zesty citrus.

Before I realize what's happening, I'm drawn into his enthusiasm. We scroll through pages of clothes, Zane deliberately picking the most outrageous items he can find. His commentary keeps making unexpected sounds escape me.

“Oh, look at this one,” he says, clicking on a lime green feather boa that looks like it was plucked from a radioactive ostrich. “Perfect for grocery shopping. Maybe pair it with these?” He points to holographic platform boots that would probably break my ankles. I can’t help the snicker that escapes.

Adrian settles back in his chair, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watches us. His presence is... comforting, which should worry me more than it does. Protective without being possessive. The way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs at Zane's selections makes something warm bloom in my chest. His scent carries notes of contentment, of pleasure at seeing his pack brother make me almost laugh.

Zane's enthusiasm is infectious. I find myself pointing at ridiculous items—platform shoes with built-in fish tanks (“Perfect for work!”), a hat that looks to be made entirely of plastic fruit (“For formal occasions”), a jumpsuit covered in LED lights (“For those times you need to be seen from space”). It's just play, I know that. He won't actually buy these things for me. This is just his way of diffusing the tension after Cole's departure and giving me a moment of normalcy in the chaos my life has become.

When I finish the last bite of breakfast—more food than I've had in months, my stomach almost uncomfortable with the richness—I realize I can't remember the last time I had so much fun.

I can’t remember when I had fun, period.

I’ve enjoyed just sitting here, laughing at silly clothes, being treated as a person rather than property. For a brief, precious moment, I feel normal. Not an omega in hiding, not a fugitive from Haven, not a burden or a possession or a problem to be solved. Just... me.

“Want to watch a movie?” Zane asks, his voice casual, as if we do this every day.

I haven’t watched a movie in years. The temptation to say yes is almost overwhelming, but...

“Don't you have to work?” I glance between him and Adrian. They are the owners of Pinnacle. They must have more to do with their time than babysit an omega who isn’t going to stick around.

“I'd rather spend time with you,” he says simply, his gaze sincere. “Adrian's taking care of business today.” His scent carries no deception, just genuine desire for companionship.

I look at Adrian, who waves us off with a warm smile. “Go, watch your movie. I'm more than capable of handling the business without Zane’s help for a few hours.”

Following Zane into the living area, I come to a stop. The space is massive but somehow cozy, with a huge sectional sofa in butter-soft leather that probably costs more than my yearly salary, an open fireplace with flames dancing behind glass, artwork that speaks of taste and wealth I can't begin to comprehend.

My gaze is drawn to the floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase Canton City spread out far below, making us float above the world. Tendrils of fog roll across the landscape, making the city seem mysterious rather than a huge metropolis.

“The view never fails to surprise me, either,” Zane says.

“Uh, yeah. I’m not used to seeing the city like this.” Life has been hard enough getting through each day on the streets down below, let alone even thinking about discovering a birds-eye view of it all.

“It’s something else, isn’t it? I think the view is why we enjoy living here so much. That, and it’s not far from work.” Zane’s smile lights his entire face and makes me forget about how close we are to their company.

“We didn’t have anything like this in Camden,” I say, then everything in my body stills when I realize I told him where I used to live. Zane only settles onto the couch and gestures me over. There’s nothing on his face that makes me think the name of my hometown means anything to him, thank the gods.

“Come here. Movies must be watched in coziness.” The grin stays on his face as he produces a blanket I swear wasn’t in the room before, something impossibly soft and fluffy in a neutral cream color, the kind of luxury I've only seen in store windows.

I sit next to him, watching him carefully, but when he drapes the blanket over me, I can't help but burrow into its warmth, my fingers stroking the plush fabric. It smells new, unused, like he bought it specifically for this moment. The thought makes something flutter in my stomach.

The TV above the fireplace must be at least eighty inches, the picture crystal clear as he brings up a streaming service. “What would you like to watch?”

The question catches me off guard, making me realize how long it's been since anyone cared about my preferences. “I… You choose.” My mind goes completely blank. I have no idea about current movies. “I’m not sure what would be good.”

The last time I watched a movie was with my parents, before I presented.

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