Page 120 of Knot Happening

"What kind of something?"

"The kind where Felix and Theo figured out your secret about three weeks ago."

I nearly drop my coffee cup. "What?"

"Belle, you're incredibly talented at writing Lady Inkwell's voice, but you have some very distinctive turns of phrase. When you're excited about something, you use the same superlatives whether you're talking as Belle or writing as Lady Inkwell."

Heat floods my cheeks. "How long have they known?"

"Officially? Since you wrote that column about the courthouse campaign victory and used the exact same phrase about 'municipal bureaucracy bowing to the power of organized community action' that you'd used in your victory speech the day before."

"Oh god," I groan, burying my face in my hands. "They must think I'm completely ridiculous. Secret identity, mysterious gossip columnist, because it sounds like something out of a romance novel."

"Belle," Marcus says gently, pulling my hands away from my face, "they think you're brilliant. Theo's been impressed with Lady Inkwell's investigative skills for months, and it turns out he was impressed with yours. And Felix thinks the writing is some of the best social commentary he's ever read."

"Really?"

"Really. Though they are wondering why you haven't told them yet."

I consider this, thinking about all the reasons I've kept Lady Inkwell separate from my real life. The freedom to observe and comment without being directly involved. The way people tell a gossip columnist things they'd never tell a librarian. The simple pleasure of having a creative outlet that's entirely my own.

"I guess I wasn't ready to give up being anonymous," I admit. "Lady Inkwell gets to say things Belle Hartwell might be too polite to say."

"Such as?"

"Such as the fact that Councilman Peterson's objections to the courthouse project had nothing to do with fiscalresponsibility and everything to do with the fact that his brother-in-law owns Ashwood Construction."

Marcus raises an eyebrow. "You never wrote that in any of Lady Inkwell's columns."

"Lady Inkwell has more discretion than people give her credit for," I say with a grin. "She knows the difference between entertaining gossip and damaging accusations."

"So what's the plan? Keep Lady Inkwell going alongside the bookshop café?"

"I think so. Though maybe with a slightly different focus. Less relationship drama, more community advocacy. Lady Inkwell could be a powerful voice for positive change if she wanted to be."

"She already is," Marcus points out. "Belle, your columns have been shaping public opinion in this town for years. The courthouse campaign succeeded partly because Lady Inkwell had been building support for historic preservation for months before we officially launched."

The truth of that makes me sit up straighter. I've been thinking of Lady Inkwell as frivolous entertainment, but Marcus is right—the columns have real influence, real power to shape how people think about community issues.

"Lady Inkwell, community organizer," I muse. "I like the sound of that."

"Lady Inkwell, secret weapon," Marcus corrects. "Belle, between your official work at the library, your role in the pack, and your influence as Lady Inkwell, you might be the most powerful omega in the county."

"Powerful omega," I repeat, testing how the words feel. Six months ago, the idea would have terrified me. Now, with the security of my pack bond and the confidence that comes from successfully fighting for something I believe in, it feels like a challenge I'm ready to accept.

"So," Marcus says, "are you going to tell Felix and Theo that you know they know?"

"Eventually," I say with a smile. "But first, I want to finish this column. Lady Inkwell has some very important things to say about the power of community action and the importance of supporting local businesses."

"And about how incredibly proud she is of a certain librarian who's opening a bookshop café?"

"Lady Inkwell would never be so obvious," I say with mock seriousness. "Though she might mention that she's heard rumors about an exciting new literary venture opening downtown."

Marcus laughs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head before heading back downstairs. I can hear Felix and Theo in the kitchen, probably making lunch and definitely plotting how to get me to admit my secret identity.

Let them plot. Lady Inkwell has work to do, and Belle Hartwell has a bookshop café to plan. Between the two of them, I think I can handle whatever challenges come next.

After all, I have a pack to support me, a community that believes in me, and a secret identity that gives me the freedom to say exactly what needs to be said.

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