Page 74 of Chain Me Knot

The rawness of his shame tells me every truth I could ever hope to find.

His bond is warm, steady and true. The brightness illuminates the shadowy darkness of every corrupted mark Pack Carmichael inflicted on me. Where Asher's bond is open and honest, the cruel shadows lurking in my soul are drowned out by the sheer profundity of clarity and warmth he offers. He’s pure light searing away my darkness, and that tells me more than any spoken word.

Suddenly I can’t bear the idea of losing that warmth, even for one night.

I want him here. With us. Withme.

I rub my chest over the burn of lightness. His gaze drops to my hand and his eyes flare. Horror fills his face and the emotions through his bond dims.

I reach toward him, my fingers trembling. “No! Don’t! Please…let me feel you.”

“Moonbeam…” The word is drawn out. Tortured.

“Please, I…I don’t want you to hide the bond. I need to feel you. It… it drowns them out. It helps, and I…I want you to stay. Please,” I whisper. The ache inside me is unbearable. I want him here, his scent mingling so perfectly with ours.

Hope flares across his guarded expression. “Are you sure, Emma?”

He moves slowly forward, the bond opening slowly, tentatively, as though still afraid I'll retract my invitation. My chest tightens—this time with gentle warmth—as I realize he's afraid, too. Afraid he still doesn't deserve this. Afraid I'll pull back.

But I won’t. Not when he’s given me this precious, fragile truth. Not when his feelings, washing steadily over me, are the first real anchor I've felt. He may have bitten me against my will and without my consent, but I’m giving my consent now.

His fingers brush against mine as he holds my gaze.

He burns in all the good ways.

“Please stay.”

Warmth unfurls inside my heart as his large hand closes around mine. “Anything for you, Omega.Anything.”

His answer is a careful, shuddering breath of gratitude, whispered hoarsely into the quiet darkness as he finally lets himself sit beside me.

And stupidly, old fears rise. I have three alphas in my bed—alphas I asked to be here. They’re going to want to take from me. This is how out of control I am. The more I try to shut down my mind, the more it rebels.

Phoenix throws an arm around my waist, tucking the blankets tight around me before kissing my cheek. “Relax, Tough Girl. Nothing is going to happen to you tonight, or any other night, except exactly what you want. Tonight? I’m sensing you need comfort. Any other night? Whatever you need, Emma.”

For a moment, I just lie there, his words echoing softly in my mind. Comfort. Choice. Safety. The way he says it, so matter-of-fact, makes my chest ache. My gaze slides to him, searching his face as if to see if he really means it, but he’s already letting his eyelids drift shut, fatigue overtaking him.

His breathing evens out, his arm still draped over me. A few moments later, a gentle snore escapes him, warmth puffing against my cheek.

Soren lays down on the other side of Phoenix. He lifts his brows. “Out like a light as usual. Night, Butterfly.”

“Okay, knock it off. Let’s all get some sleep now,” Asher murmurs quietly, his voice a soft rumble.

His sharp cheekbones cast shadows in the half-light, strong jaw softened by the faintest trace of dark stubble, and dark eyes infinite with emotion as they rest on mine. Beautiful, raw and open. His gaze shimmers, drawing me into those fathomless depths, deep down to a sea of vast and immeasurable emotions that rebound through his bond. Warmth, longing, protectiveness, and something deeper, endlessly tender floods me, holding me steady.

My breath whooshes out. His gaze burns as a soft smile curves the serious set of his mouth. The shift transforms his features. Warmth chases away shadows, leaving only brilliant tenderness and gentle protectiveness behind. And in that single heartbeat, wild things take flight inside my stomach. Heat pools in my chest and floods warmly downward at the astonishing beauty of his smile, leaving me flushed and quietly shaken.

Asher’s eyes finally drift closed, thick lashes shadowing his cheeks but even as he lets himself rest, his emotions don't fade. They continue to pour into me inwave after wave of overwhelming warmth, cradling me softly in the depths of his honest affection.

I never thought a bond could be like this. This was what Mira told me it was like. Now I know why she looked at her alpha the way she did. It all makes sense.

The soft, comforting rumble of their purrs weave together into a deep, soothing vibration that seeps through my skin, calming all my raw edges. It's the best drug imaginable for my weary omega soul.

This time, when I start to relax, no dark memories resurface. It’s too light inside.

I snuggle into their warmth, losing myself in the soothing resonance until all my anxious thoughts and lingering fears fade into silence. Surrounded by the steady presence and reassuring strength of their warm bodies, I let go, slipping effortlessly into a dreamless sleep.

For the first time in far too long, there are no shadows chasing me, no nightmares waiting—just the tender security of knowing I'm safe. At least for now.

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