Page 109 of Knot Like Other Girls

The word hangs between us, raw and unfiltered. Cole looks almost surprised he said it, like it slipped out without his permission. And maybe it did. It's an ancient claim, spoken from the alpha rather than the man.

And god help me, I love it.

"Yes," I agree softly, stepping closer to him. "Yours."

His expression intensifies at my confirmation, his hand twitching at his side like he's resisting the urge to reach for me. I close the distance between us, placing my palm against his still-bare chest, feeling his heart thunder beneath my touch. I lean up and kiss him again.

When we part again, he leans down and nuzzles his nose against my cheek, an unexpectedly sweet gesture that leaves my skin tingling. Almost a scent mark. "You're making it very fucking hard to leave this room," he says hoarsely, his breath whispering against my throat.

"Oh, really?" I tease.

Cole huffs a laugh, but the sound is strained. "Really." He presses a kiss to my forehead. "I'll get my clothes."

He disappears into the bedroom again, leaving me to contemplate my reflection in the mirror. My hair is still damp, hanging in loose waves around my shoulders. My cheeks are flushed, my eyes bright, my lips slightly swollen from Cole's kisses. I look... different. More alive somehow. More me than I've been in longer than I can remember.

And yes, I'm wearing an alpha's shirt that falls to mid-thigh, the neckline so wide it threatens to slip off one shoulder. My bare legs extend below the hem, and I'm wearing absolutely nothing underneath.

When I emerge from the bathroom, Cole is already dressed in black cargo pants and a tight charcoal t-shirt that stretches across his broad chest. He's sitting on the edge of the bed, strapping something to his ankle. A gun holster.

"Is that...?" I trail off, eyeing the weapon now secured to his leg.

"Protection," he says simply, offering me his hand. "Shall we?"

I take it happily. "Lead the way."

CHAPTER 31

TROY

The French press hisses as I push it down. Rich coffee fills Braxley's overpriced kitchen. It's barely dawn, but I've been up for hours. Sleep doesn't come easy when your pack's omega is having her first heat with one of your brothers down the hall.

Not that I'm bitching.

Much.

I pour coffee into Braxley's handmade ceramic mugs that cost more than most people's rent. The kitchen island's already covered in breakfast prep. Pancake batter waiting, bacon crisping in the oven, fresh fruit I chopped while trying not to think about Cole and Bella together.

Cooking's always been my therapy. My rich parents expected me to follow tradition—business school, then taking over some slice of the family empire. Instead, I enlisted, breaking their hearts and my trust fund in one move. Before all that, there was an old cook named Eleanor who let me hide in our kitchen during my parents' fancy parties. She taught me that cooking is one of the purest ways to show people you care.

I'm mixing cinnamon into the batter when Roman appears, looking like he got as much sleep as I did—which is none.His normally perfect posture sags just a fraction, hair slightly mussed. For Roman, that's practically falling apart.

"Tell me that's coffee I smell," he says, voice rough with exhaustion.

I slide a mug toward him. "Black as your tactical gear."

He takes a long sip, eyes closing briefly. "Thanks."

"Food'll be ready soon. Go wake the others?" I ask, pouring batter onto the griddle.

Roman nods, taking another gulp before disappearing down the hallway. My focus shifts to the pancakes, trying to keep my mind on the rhythm of cooking rather than wondering how Bella's doing after her first night with one of us. With Cole, of all people.

Not that I'm jealous.

Okay, maybe a little.

But mostly, I'm worried. Cole hasn't been with anyone since his ex-fiancee took one look at his new face and walked out on him. He's been carrying that rejection like an anchor, dragging him deeper every day. And now Bella—our miracle omega, our impossible match—chose him first.

Yeah. Lots of shit on my mind today.

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