Page 31 of Knot Like Other Girls

I clutch my blankets tighter, suddenly feeling defensive. "The back of the couch blocks the view," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's fine. Really. I like knowing I have escape routes out here."

I decide not to tell them I got freaked out last night and hid in the guest area they’re going to be using from now on.

Roman doesn't look convinced. Neither does Liam. The other alphas don’t seem sure what to think about it.

"I think she just doesn’t want to be in my bedroom," Braxley chimes in with an accusing smirk. Like they might tell me I don’t have a choice.

I freaking hope they don’t.

Annoyance flashes in Roman's eyes, but it's gone so quickly I might have imagined it. “That’s her choice, no one else’s,” he replies smoothly.

I brace myself for Braxley's inevitable tantrum. He hates being contradicted, especially by people he considers beneath him. But to my surprise, he just shrugs. “Yeah, whatever. You said Savva and Cole are night owls anyway, right? They can keep watch.”

I glance at Savva and Cole, not sure what their reaction will be to being volunteered for night duty. Savva's expression is unreadable, but there's a slight tightening around Cole's eyes. Or maybe it's just a trick of the light, shadows playing across his scarred face.

“We’re alphas,” Roman says warily. “It isn’t typical for strange alphas to share a space with an omega. Especially not at night.”

“I don’t feel all that threatened by you guys,” says Braxley, preening.

The Vanguard Pack exchanges another look. It seems like they’re about to ask me if I mind and start off a whole conversation that has a strong likelihood of resulting in me getting stuck in Braxley’s master bedroom, but luckily, they keep whatever’s on their minds to themselves.

Braxley nods, already losing interest in the conversation. He turns to me, a practiced smile on his face. "Well, goodnight then, darling. Sweet dreams."

He leans in for a kiss, and I have to fight the urge to pull away. Instead, I turn my head slightly, letting his lips graze my cheek. Before he can react, I nuzzle into his neck, hoping he'll mistake my avoidance for affection.

It works. Braxley pulls back, looking pleased. "Mm, frisky tonight, are we?" he says with a wink that makes my skin crawl. "Save that energy for the honeymoon, baby."

I force a laugh, hating how fake it sounds to my own ears. "Goodnight, Braxley."

As he saunters off to the bedroom, I'm left standing there, still clutching my bedding like a shield. The alphas are pointedly not looking at me, busying themselves with their bags or studying the room's layout.

Roman glances up at me, and for a moment, I think he's going to say something. But then he turns away, disappearing down the hallway without a word.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding, my shoulders sagging under the weight of... everything.

"You okay there, lass?" Liam's surprisingly gentle voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts. I look up to find himwatching me, concern etched on his rugged features. For the first time, I notice there’s a blackletter tattoo on the left side of his head. I’d originally thought it was his hair, which is shorter on the sides than it is on top, where he’s styled it back and away from his face. I don’t get a chance to read it, though, unless I want to openly gawk at him.

"I'm fine," I say automatically, the lie slipping out with practiced ease. "Just tired."

Liam nods, but I can tell he doesn't believe me.

"Well, don't let us keep you up," Troy says, flashing me that easy smile of his. "We'll try to keep the noise down."

I nod gratefully, finally moving to set up my makeshift bed on the couch. As I arrange the pillows and blankets, I can hear the alphas moving around, speaking in low voices. They're probably discussing security protocols or watch rotations, but I tune it out.

Right now, all I want is to at least try to rest.

CHAPTER 11

LIAM

Ifollow the pack down the hallway to the guest wing, my mind still reeling from what just happened.

The way Bella looked at us, the way she smelled...

Fuck, I've never experienced anything like it.

It's like every cell in my body is screaming at me to go back to her, to wrap her in my arms and never let go.

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