Page 82 of Knot Made to Break: Part Two

Her teasing faded for just a breath. “I’ve missed you too,asshole.”

He grinned, and so did she. And just like that, the energy shifted again—still light, still playful. But underneath it, I could feel it. The bond of family. The kind you didn’t have to earn.

Julia turned her eyes on me again and reached for my hand, giving it a squeeze. “I don’t know what my brothers did to get so lucky, but they hit the jackpot. You are my new favorite sister.”

A helpless little laugh escaped me. Again. “I’m youronlysister.”

“Semantics.” She waved off the technicality, then linked her arm through mine. “Come on. Coffee awaits, and we are in serious need of sister time.”

It hit me all over again that I had a family now—not just my mates, but a sister and father-in-laws, too. It had been too long since I’d felt this kind of boundless acceptance, this kind of inclusion, this kind of questionless belonging.

I gave Marco a little finger wave as she tugged me toward the café with a familiarity that felt strangely right, like we’d known each other for years even though we’d only met twice.

We took the cobbled path across the quad, and I caught sight of a woman waiting by the entrance of the café—tall and slender, with rich red hair that flowed down her back in loose waves. Freckles dusted her pale skin like sprinkled cinnamon, and her emerald eyes held a gentleness that contrasted sharply with Julia’s feisty exuberance.

“That’s Adeline,” Julia said, waving enthusiastically. “Addy! Look who I’ve got!”

Adeline smiled, and something in my chest tightened at the sight. It wasn’t that her smile wasn’t genuine—it was. But there was a shadow behind it, a familiar heaviness I recognized all too well. Pain.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Kitania,” she said, her voice soft and melodic. “Julia’s been talking about you non-stop since she heard about the bonding.”

“Just Kit, please,” I offered. “And it’s nice to meet you, too.”

As we walked into the café, I couldn’t help but notice the difference between the two women. Where Julia was all motion and sass, Adeline moved with a quiet grace, as if trying to take up as little space as possible. There was a carefulness to her that reminded me of myself not so long ago—the deliberate movements of someone who had learned the hard way that the world could be harsh.

The air was rich with the scent of coffee and baked goods, and the girls led me toward a small booth tucked in the corner. Julia immediately flagged down a barista she seemed to know.

“The usual for me and Addy, and—” she turned to me. “What’s your poison?”

“Just a vanilla latte, please,” I said, settling into the booth beside her.

As the barista headed off, I glanced out the window and spotted Marco sitting on a bench across the quad, reading something on his phone, close enough to see us but far enough to give us privacy. My heart skipped as he glanced up for a moment, probably feeling my attention regardless of the distance. He sent me a wink, and I smiled softly.

I turned my attention back to the girls, who were chatting happily and sharing gossip about one of their professors.

“Do you guys have class today? I’m not messing up your schedules, am I?”

Julia hedged, “Technically, yes. But what am I missing, really? How to Please Your Alpha 101? Scent Theory? Cooking class?”

The barista returned with our drinks and a plate of pastries, quieting our conversation for a moment. As we settled in with our coffees, Julia wasted no time diving back in.

“How is any of that truly important? I hate that I’m not allowed to take Economics, Psychology, Biophysics, or work toward a Law degree.”

“Better settle in and get comfy,” Adeline warned, blowing on the top of her beverage. “She’s on a roll now.”

“Sorry.” Julia winced. “It’s just… I’m passionate about being able to control your own freedom. I get carried away sometimes.”

“No, I get it,” I said, warming my hands on the mug. “I used to feel the same way. Before...” I trailed off, not wanting to dampen the mood with talk of my kidnapping.

Julia’s eyes softened. “Kit, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“Don’t,” I said quickly. “Please. I’m okay now. Better than okay.” I touched the fresh marks on my neck, drawing comfort from them. “I think what you’re saying makes perfect sense. We should have choices.”

Adeline nodded, her long fingers curled delicately around her cup. “Julia’s been fighting this battle since we met. The administration thinks she’s a troublemaker.”

“I prefer ‘catalyst for change,’” Julia quipped, but there was genuine fire beneath her humor. “It’s just—I wish I didn’t have to choose a pack to gain my freedom. Why is my entire worth tied to my ability to pop out babies?”

I shifted in my seat, feeling the weight of her words. A few months ago, I might have felt the same way. But now, with my bond marks fresh on my neck and the constant warm presence of my Alphas in the back of my mind, I understood things differently.

---