Page 194 of Knot Like Other Girls

Behind him, the sky deepens to indigo, stars multiplying by the minute. The others move back slightly, giving us space while remaining part of the circle.

"Bella Emerson," Roman says, his deep voice carrying through the quiet evening air. "From the moment we met, you've challenged everything I thought I knew about leadership, about protection, about connection. You walked into my life and showed me that strength isn't about control. It's about vulnerability. About trust."

His fingers tighten around mine. "I vowed to keep you safe, but you taught me that safety without freedom isn't protection at all. You've made a home in my heart where I thought there was only duty. I love you, Bella. With everything I am."

Tears prick at my eyes. "I love you too, Roman. Your strength, your care, the way you hold us all together."

He leans in, pressing his forehead to mine for a moment. Then his hands move to the hem of my dress. "May I?"

I nod, lifting my arms to help him remove it. The cool evening air kisses my bare skin as Roman lays me back against the plush nest. He undresses quickly, his powerful body illuminated by the candlelight as he positions himself above me.

"Are you ready?" he murmurs.

"So ready," I breathe.

Roman enters me in one smooth motion, my body already slick and welcoming for him. As he moves within me, establishing a steady rhythm, I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper with each thrust. His pace quickens as I respond to him, our bodies finding perfect synchronization until I'm fully seated on his knot and crying out his name.

Only then, when we're completely joined, does Roman tilt my head to the side. His breathing is ragged as he exposes the junction where my neck meets my shoulder, his eyes seeking permission one final time.

"Yes," I whisper.

There's a brief, sharp pain as his teeth sink into my flesh, then a rush of heat that flows throughout my body. I gasp, gripping his shoulders as the bite completes our bond. Something indefinable shifts between us—a connection snapping into place, permanent and unbreakable.

I'm breathing hard, almost dizzy from the flood of energy. Roman steadies me with strong hands, his eyes searching mine as we remain connected.

"I feel you," I whisper, amazed. "Inside me. Like a presence in my mind."

He smiles, a rare full smile that transforms his usually stern face. "And I feel you."

We stay locked together for several minutes, the bond strengthening with each pulse of his knot. Around us, the others wait patiently, their eyes reflecting the growing light in the sky.

As Roman's knot gradually subsides, he carefully shifts us to a more comfortable position, still holding me close until he can slip free without hurting me.

He presses a soft kiss to the mark that's already healing as I notice something happening in the sky above us. Faint ribbons of green light have begun to dance along the horizon, growing stronger by the moment.

"Is that…?" I ask, momentarily distracted from the ceremony.

Troy's grin widens. "Northern lights. We've been tracking a solar storm for days, hoping it would coincide with tonight."

"It's incredible," I breathe, watching as the green lights strengthen, now joined by hints of purple and vibrant blue.

"A good omen," Savva says approvingly.

As we watch, the lights grow more dramatic, rippling across the night sky in ethereal waves. Against this magical backdrop, Cole moves forward next, settling before me with careful grace.

His face—both beautiful sides—is illuminated by both candlelight and the soft glow from the auroras above as he looks at me, not even glancing at the light show above us, his blue gaze holding mine.

"I never thought I'd have this," he begins, hoarse.

My heart aches, but I don't interrupt. These are words he needs to say.

"Then I met you, and you saw me. Not just the scars. Not just the damage. You looked beyond all that to who I truly am." His breath catches slightly. "You make me whole again. With you, I'm more than just the shattered pieces of who I used to be. I'm stronger with you. Better. I… love you, Bella Emerson. So fucking much it terrifies me sometimes."

Tears spill freely down my cheeks now. "I love you too, Cole. All of you. Exactly as you are."

He reaches up with a scarred hand to brush away my tears, then sheds his clothes with quiet efficiency. I open my arms to him, welcoming him into my embrace as he covers my body with his.

His eye stays locked with mine as he enters me. His movements are measured, controlled, his breathing ragged with the effort of his restraint.

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