Page 40 of Knot Happening

"She's smart enough," Theo says. "Question is, will she run or will she trust us?"

"She'll trust us," I say with certainty. "She already started to with you. Once she realizes we're not going anywhere, that we'd never hurt her..."

"She'll be ours," Theo finishes, and the satisfaction in his voice matches what I'm feeling.

"Can't wait," Felix says fervently.

"Neither can I," I admit. "For the first time in years, everything feels exactly right."

Even if those possibilities involve a hell of a lot more talking than we're used to.

16

THE WILLOWBROOK CHRONICLE

My Devoted Intriguers,

Lady Inkwell is positivelytremblingwith anticipation for this year's Masquerade Ball at Thornfield Palace, now just two days away!

But before we count down to the evening's inevitable revelations, this correspondent simply must share the mostpeculiardevelopment that had the entire town buzzing just recently. Word reached my ears that none other than Mr. Theo Blackwood…yes, one of those mysterious "Beast Pack" alphas who typically wouldn't be caught dead among dusty tomes, was reportedly sighted entering our humble public library!

The verythoughtsent ripples through our literary circles, darlings. What earthly purpose could such a formidable gentleman have among card catalogs and reading nooks? Sources suggest that Miss Belle Hartwell, that perpetually cheerful head librarian, appeared rather...discombobulatedduring his unexpected visit. One can only speculate about what depths might lie beneath her usual professional demeanor that would attract such masculine attention.

But here's where Lady Inkwell simply cannot contain her excitement! Both of our beloved librarians will be gracing thepalace halls together! Yes, darlings, Mr. Adam Chen and Miss Belle Hartwell have not only secured their golden invitations but will be attending as acouple!

And here's the absolutelyscandalouspart: whispers suggest these two bookish souls have been dating for no less than three months! Three entire months of secret rendezvous among the stacks, of stolen glances over circulation desks, of romance blooming between the biography and fiction sections!

One does wonder, however, how long this literary love affair will withstand the sudden interest of a certain brooding alpha who seems inexplicably drawn to library visits. Will true love conquer all, or might our quiet Belle find herself torn between the comfortable and the...thrilling?

Yours in breathless anticipation,Lady Inkwell

P.S. - Sources suggest that library late fees have mysteriously stopped being an issue for certain prominent residents. How wonderfully... convenient!

17

BELLE

Going into heat with Theo three days ago was a bad idea. Then waking up to read that Lady Inkwell has posted it in her column? What is up with that woman?Doesn't she sleep?Besides, I thought her column was weekly, but with the ball coming up, it's like it's every damn day.

It's as if she's everywhere and anywhere, that no one wants her to be and she's all up in my business. If I don't go, then everyone will know that what she has written is true, but that's not the problem. The real issue is that Adam likes reading her column. If he has read it today, then he knows that I've been hiding something dangerous from him. The best friend I once had will be lost, but I can't get over the dress I'm wearing, the make-up on my face, nor the countless hours that I've spent trying to figure out how to do my hair.

I've never looked in the mirror and considered myself to be pretty, let alone beautiful, but right here and now, this is exactly how I feel.

The rose gold dress hugs my curves in all the right places without making me feel exposed. The moment I slipped it on, I understood what people meant when they talked about finding "the dress." The color brings out the warm amber flecks inmy dark eyes that I never knew existed, makes my skin look luminous instead of pale.

For the first time in my adult life, I don't feel like I'm hiding behind my clothes, but celebrating what's underneath them. Every curve, every soft place, that I've spent years apologizing for or trying to minimize suddenly feels... intentional. Beautiful. Like maybe I was designed this way on purpose.

My hair, usually pulled back in a practical ponytail that screams "responsible librarian," falls in loose waves around my shoulders. The process of achieving this seemingly effortless look involved three different YouTube tutorials, two complete do-overs when I burned myself with the curling iron, and enough hairspray to damage the ozone layer. But the result is worth every minute of frustration. The waves catch the light as I move, framing my face in a way that makes my features look softer, more romantic.

I'd started at six this morning, watching video after video of beauty influencers who made contouring look as natural as breathing. My first attempt had me looking like I'd been attacked by a bronzer brush. The second try was better, but something about the eyeshadow made me look like I had two black eyes.

By the third attempt, I was ready to give up and go bare-faced, but then I remembered Lady Inkwell's column, and the way she'd made my private moment with Theo sound sordid and scandalous. This means that half the town will be watching me tonight, waiting to see if the rumors were true, if quiet little Belle Hartwell was really involved with the notorious Beast Pack.

So I tried again. Until finally, everything came together. The foundation that evened out my skin tone without making me look like a painted doll. The eyeshadow that brought out the darkness in my eyes without overwhelming them. The lipstick—a bold choice for me—that made my mouth look fuller, more confident.

When I catch glimpses of myself in reflective surfaces now, I do a double-take. Is that really me? The woman in the mirror looks poised, elegant, like she belongs at fancy parties and sophisticated gatherings. Like she has every right to walk into a palace and expect to be welcomed.

If Adam has read Lady Inkwell's column this morning...

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