Page 78 of Knot Happening

"Absolutely."

I start by showing her the foundation work, explaining how we had to design special flood protection features, how the building will be elevated enough to stay dry even in another major flood event. Belle asks thoughtful questions, clearly trying to understand not just what we're building, but why each decision was made the way it was.

"The community had input on all of this?" she asks as we walk around the perimeter.

"Extensive input. We held six public meetings before we even finalized the design, and we incorporated dozens of suggestions from residents. The kitchen layout, the storage solutions, even the color scheme, are all of that came from listening to what people actually wanted."

"That's so different from what I expected," Belle admits. "I guess I thought construction was more... dictatorial. Architects and developers deciding what a space should be and building it whether people like it or not."

"Some companies work that way," I say. "But it leads to buildings that don't actually serve their purpose. If you want to create something that matters, you have to start with the people who will use it."

We move into the framed structure, and I show Belle how the different spaces will flow together, how the main hall can be divided for smaller events, how the kitchen will be accessible from both the dining area and the outdoor pavilion for festivals.

"Can you see it?" I ask, watching her face as she looks around the skeleton of what will become the main gathering space. "Can you imagine what it will look like when it's finished?"

Belle closes her eyes for a moment, and I can see her trying to picture the completed building. When she opens them again, her expression is soft with something that might be wonder.

"I can see families having birthday parties here," she says quietly. "Teenagers playing basketball in the gym. Elderly residents taking exercise classes. Community meetings where people actually show up because they know their voices will be heard."

"That's exactly what I see," I tell her, and the fact that she understands, that she can envision the same future I'm working toward, makes my heart race.

"This is why you do this work," Belle says, and it's not a question.

“Yeah,” I confirm. "Buildings aren't just structures, Belle. They're the framework for connection, for community life. When you get it right, you're not just constructing a building—you're building relationships, opportunities, hope."

Belle turns to look at me directly, and the intensity in her expression takes my breath away. "I've never heard anyone talk about construction the way you do," she says. "Most people see buildings as just... functional necessities. But you see them as possibilities."

"Is that... is that interesting to you?" I ask, suddenly uncertain. "I know it's not the most romantic worldview."

"Marcus," Belle says firmly, stepping closer to me, "passion is always romantic. Listening to you talk about your work, seeing how much you care about creating something meaningful—that's incredibly attractive."

The sincerity in her voice, the way she's looking at me like I'm someone worth admiring, makes me want to pull her intomy arms and kiss her right here surrounded by two-by-fours and concrete dust. But we agreed to take things slowly, to build trust before we let physical attraction take over.

"I'm glad you think so," I say instead, my voice rougher than I intended. "Because this is who I am, Belle. This work, this mission, it's not separate from my personal life. It's part of who I am as an alpha, as a pack member, as a man."

"I'm starting to understand that," Belle says softly. "And I like what I'm seeing."

We spend another hour at the site, with me introducing Belle to some of the crew members and showing her the more technical aspects of the construction process. She's genuinely curious about everything, asking questions about timeline and budget and how we coordinate all the different trades working on the project.

"The complexity is incredible," she says as we walk back toward my truck. "I had no idea how many different specialists have to work together to create something like this."

"It's like conducting an orchestra," I tell her. "Everyone has their instrument, their part to play, but it only works if everyone is playing the same song."

"And you're the conductor."

"One of them. Felix handles a lot of the design coordination, and Theo manages security and logistics. It really is a pack effort."

Belle is quiet as we drive away from the site, and I can smell her scent shifting through various emotions as she processes what she's seen.

"Where to for lunch?" I ask. "I know a place that has great food and a quiet atmosphere where we can actually talk."

"That sounds perfect," Belle says. "But Marcus? Thank you for showing me the site. I feel like I understand something important about you now that I didn't before."

"What's that?"

"Everything you do is aimed at making the world a little bit better than you found it."

The simple honesty of the observation, the way she's seen straight to the heart of what drives me, makes my chest tight with emotion.

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