Page 68 of Knot My Luck

And even if it weren’t so perfect – even if the house had been smaller, the view less breathtaking, the village not so charming, or the nest supplies not so soft – I’d still be planning to beg Cathal for his bite in my next heat.

The thought alone makes something hot curl in my stomach, my skin prickling with anticipation. The bond with the others, the one that gives me faint access to our pack lead, hums beneath my skin, deep and sure, but I want more. I want everything. All three of my alphas, right where I want them: interwoven in my soul.

The alphas have changed, too. Or maybe it’s just that I canseethem now, fully, without the haze of fear clouding my vision.

Lorcan has always been protective, but now, it’s magnified. The kind of fierce, unwavering guardianship that makes my chest ache. He watches me like he’s memorising every move, every breath, as if some part of him still can’t believe I’m here, that I’m staying. I catch him standing in doorways sometimes, just looking at me, like he’s reassuring himself I won’t disappear. His love is so fierce, he steals my breath away with it.

Tadhg is my grounding force. Gentle when I need it, firm when I don’t realise I do. He’s the one who smooths over rough edges, who makes everything feel natural instead of overwhelming. He keeps me laughing, keeps me sane. If I ever stumble, I know it’ll be Tadhg who catches me. His love is warm and all-encompassing.

And Cathal…

Cathal iscareful.

We’re dating, in the most traditional sense of the word. He takes me out to dinner, leaves thoughtful gifts in places he knows I’ll find them, spoils me in ways that make my heart stutter. He lets me set the pace, never pushing, never demanding more than I can give.

But I want to give him more. Because my love for him is eternal. And he’s punished himself on behalf of both of us enough to last several lifetimes. His love for me has been proven tenfold, every single day since he came back into my life, shown through every look, every touch, every gesture. His love is pure and infinite.

Which is why I want more than stolen kisses and lingering touches that never stray too far. I want to feel his weight pressing me into the mattress, want to hear him lose control the way I know he’s capable of. I want to sink my teeth into him the way my body aches to, the way our bond demands.

He’s being patient. He thinks he’s doing what’s best for me.

But I’m getting frustrated.

I lean against the balcony railing, staring out over the sea, the scent of salt and pine thick in the air. The wind lifts my hair, cool against my flushed skin.

I hear the door open behind me, but I don’t turn. I know it’s him.

“Not tired?” Cathal’s voice is smooth, warm, curling around me like a touch as he steps out onto the balcony and joins me. He’s naked but for a pair of black boxer briefs, his usually perfectly styled dark hair tousled from sleep. I smile at the sight of my most uptight alpha looking so decidedly ruffled.

I shake my head. “Couldn’t sleep. There’s a new girl moved into Doris’ house for the summer. Casey was telling me all about it when I called by the hotel for some sweet potato fries yesterday. Apparently it’s her granddaughter. Name’s Lani. She’s really nice, I ran into her today, but she’s an omega pretending to be a beta, and I don’t think it’s going to work out well for her.” I sigh. Poor girl’s got almost no money to her name and can’t afford suppressants for much longer. I can’t sleep because I’ve been trying to come up with a way to help her.

Cathal steps closer, his scent wrapping around me – rich coffee, smoky birchwood, spicy black pepper and that hint of dark chocolate that gets me every time. It shouldn’t work, but it does. It’s uniquely him.

I can feel the heat of his body at my back, but he doesn’t touch me.

Always so careful.

I sigh.

“I’ve been meaning to ask…” I trail my fingers along the railing, gathering my thoughts. “This house. It wasn’t just sitting here waiting for us, was it?”

Cathal chuckles, low and knowing. “No, a rún. I built it when we first settled in Silver. For you.”

Iknewit.

Turning, I meet his gaze, my heart twisting painfully at the way he’s looking at me – like I’m something precious, something irreplaceable.

“You built me a house,” I state, awestruck.

Cathal lifts a hand, hesitating for half a second before tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers linger against my cheek. “Consider it a courting gift. I wanted you to have a place that felt like yours. Like home.”

Home.

The word settles deep in my chest, fitting into a space I hadn’t even realised was empty.

I twist the ring on my finger, the one they gave me at the airport a couple of months back.Home is wherever you are.

I hadn’t felt at home since the day Cathal left. Until he came back into my life, along with his pack, I realise.

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