Page 181 of Knot Like Other Girls

"There you go, lass," he murmurs as he carefully begins to withdraw. "Easy now."

I suck in a breath at the strange emptiness. My body clenches involuntarily, trying instinctively to keep him inside me, but he continues his careful retreat until we're fully separated.

"You okay?" Liam asks, brushing damp strands of hair from my forehead.

"More than okay," I whisper, and I mean it. Despite the exhaustion, despite every muscle in my body feeling like warm pudding, I've never felt more alive.

More present. More me.

The thought hits me. So recently, I was engaged to Braxley, resigned to a life of playing the perfect omega accessory to his social media empire. Now I'm in a nest with five former military alphas who are the polar opposite of everything I'm used to, looking at me like I'm the most precious treasure in the entire world.

Maybe I should feel overwhelmed.

Instead, it feels like coming home.

With sudden clarity, I recognize that I've already decided. Maybe it happened when I first breathed in their scents without the blockers. Maybe it was when Cole carved me a wooden duck, or when Roman looked at me with those intense golden eyes, or when Troy made me laugh, or when Savva showed me puzzles on the plane, or when Liam taught me how to protect myself.

Whenever it happened, I know now what I want.

"I've been thinking," I say into the comfortable silence that has settled over us.

Troy chuckles behind me, his breath warm against my neck. "Dangerous pastime."

"Shut up," Liam grumbles at him, but there's no heat in it.

"What were you thinking about, little dove?" Savva asks, his elegant voice cutting through the banter as he caresses my hair. I don't even know where he is anymore. I've lost track of all the warm bodies and draped limbs.

Taking a deep breath, nervousness flutters despite my certainty. "About after. After my heat is over."

The atmosphere in the nest shifts instantly, all five alphas going alert around me. Their collective attention focuses on me, waiting for me to continue.

"You don't have to decide anything now," Roman says carefully. "There's no pressure?—"

"I know," I assure him. "That's part of why I'm sure. You've never pressured me, never pushed. You've given me space to make my own choices."

"And what choice have you made?" Cole asks, his rough voice quiet but hopeful.

A strange, warm lightness fills me as I prepare to speak the words aloud. "I want this," I say softly. "I want us. I want to be part of Pack Vanguard, not just during my heat but... permanently."

For a moment, no one speaks. Then Troy whoops so loudly that I jump, jostling where I'm still connected to Liam.

"Sorry, sorry," Troy laughs, not sounding sorry at all. "That's just... fuck, princess. That's the best news ever."

"Are you sure?" Cole asks. Not like he doesn't believe me, but like he isn't sure what he just heard and wants to make sure.

"I've never been more sure of anything," I tell him, looking up at him. "Even with this heat, my thoughts are clearer than they've been in years. This feels right. You all feel right."

Roman's expression softens. "We'll take care of you, Bella. Always."

"I know," I say simply. "That's why I choose you. All of you."

Liam's arms tighten around me in a gentle bear hug. "We're honored, lass. Truly."

"There are logistics to consider," Savva comments, ever practical. "Your arrangement with Braxley, for one."

"I still need to get through the charity gala with him," I agree with a grin. "But after that, I'm free."

"Two weeks," Roman says, running a hand through his dark hair. "We can handle that."

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