Page 100 of Knot Happening

I look up from where I'm arranging cushions to find him in the doorway holding a bag from the art supply store and wearing an expression of fond exasperation that makes my heart skip.

"How did you know?" I ask.

"Lucky guess," he says, stepping into their living room and taking in the chaos of cushions and rearranged furniture. "Also, Marcus mentioned you've been... energetic lately."

"I'm nesting," I admit, because there's no point in pretending otherwise. "Apparently, when I'm not suppressing my omega instincts, I turn into someone who needs to build soft spaces and arrange things until they feel perfect."

Felix sets down his bag and surveys my handiwork with the same attention he'd give an architectural blueprint. "Can I help?"

The offer surprises me. "You want to help me nest?"

"Belle, I'm an architect. Creating spaces that feel perfect is literally what I do for a living. And if this is what your instincts are telling you to do, then it's important."

The casual acceptance in his voice, the way he treats my biological needs as something natural rather than embarrassing, makes my chest tight with emotion.

"What's in the bag?" I ask.

"Art supplies," Felix says with a grin. "I thought we could paint together. Nothing fancy, just watercolors and whatever comes to mind. Sometimes creativity helps when you're processing big changes."

So we spend the afternoon painting at their kitchen table while I direct him in adjusting furniture and adding cushions to my increasingly elaborate nest. Felix has an intuitive understanding of space and comfort that makes him the perfect partner for this project. He suggests moving the reading chair closer to the window, adds a floor lamp for better lighting, and somehow makes everything flow together in a way that feels both cozy and elegant.

"This is perfect," I say as we step back to survey the finished nest in their living room. It's a cocoon of soft textures and warm lighting, positioned to catch the afternoon sun and provide a clear view of both the front door and the windows. My omega instincts are practically singing with satisfaction.

"It suits you," Felix says softly. "Comfortable but sophisticated, beautiful but practical."

When I turn to thank him, I find him standing much closer than I expected, paint smudged on his cheek and something warm and wondering in his expression.

"Felix," I breathe, and I can see the exact moment when his eyes drop to my lips.

"Belle," he murmurs, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, "you are so beautiful. Especially like this, when you're letting yourself be exactly who you're meant to be."

The desire to kiss him again is overwhelming, made stronger by the omega hormones flooding my system and the domestic intimacy of spending the afternoon creating a nest together in their home. I remember how perfect his lips felt against mine before, and I want that again, want more. But before either of us can close the distance between us, my phone buzzes loudly on their counter, breaking the spell.

Felix steps back with visible effort, and I grab my phone to find a text from the library about an emergency with the heating system. Duty calls, even when every instinct I have is screamingat me to ignore the outside world and focus on the beautiful alpha who just helped me build the perfect nest in his living room.

"I have to go," I say reluctantly.

"I know," Felix says, though his eyes are still dark with want. "But Belle? When you're ready to explore this properly, I'll be here."

After I leave to deal with the library crisis, I can't stop thinking about what it means that I built my nest in their house. Not in some neutral space, not in my own apartment, but in the heart of their home. My omega instincts knew exactly what they were doing.

I've been staying at their house for two weeks now, helping with the courthouse campaign during the day and working on my nest in the evenings. I'm in the middle of making dinner in their kitchen when they all arrive home from work, and the sound of multiple voices in their entryway makes my newly sensitive omega instincts flutter with anticipation.

"We brought dessert," Marcus announces as they file into the kitchen, holding up a box from the bakery. "And wine. And possibly too much enthusiasm for your tolerance level right now."

"Also flowers," Felix adds, producing a bouquet of sunflowers that immediately makes me smile.

"And backup," Theo finishes quietly. "In case the other two get too overwhelming."

The thoughtfulness of it, the way they're trying to balance their desire to be close to me with respect for my current emotional state, makes my chest tight with affection.

"Perfect timing," I say, stirring the pasta sauce. "I made enough for an army anyway."

They settle around their kitchen island, and I watch their reactions as they take in the changes I've made to their livingspace. The nest is the most obvious addition, but I've also rearranged some furniture to create better conversation areas and added soft lighting throughout the room.

"Belle," Felix breathes, looking around with obvious appreciation, "this is incredible. When did you do all this?"

"Today. Yesterday. This week," I say with a shrug. "I've been... productive."

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