Page 71 of Knot Happening

"Those are beautiful goals," Felix says softly. "And they're completely compatible with being part of a pack."

"Are they? Because every omega I've known who's mated has essentially disappeared into domestic life. Children and household management and supporting their alphas' careers instead of pursuing their own interests."

"Is that what you think we want from you?" I ask, and I can't keep the hurt out of my voice.

"I don't know what you want from me," Belle admits. "That's part of what scares me."

"We want you to be yourself," Theo says firmly. "We want you to pursue your goals, and passions, and we want to support you in achieving them."

"We want to add to your life, not replace it," Felix adds. "Belle, the last thing we want is for you to become smaller or less ambitious or less yourself. We fell in love with who you are, not who we think you could become."

"Fell in love?" Belle repeats, and her voice is barely above a whisper.

The words hung in the air between us, more honest than I'd intended to be this soon. But it's too late to take them back, and honestly, I don't want to.

"Yes," I say simply. "We're in love with you, Belle. Maybe that's too much too soon, but it's the truth."

"How can you be in love with me? You barely know me."

"We know that you stay late at the library to help struggling students with their research projects," Felix says. “You remember everyone's favorite books and always have recommendations ready. We know that you organized a community fundraiser for Mrs. Peterson's cancer treatment without being asked."

“You get genuinely excited about new book acquisitions and chocolate fountain competitions," I add. “And you make everyone around you feel important and valued and seen."

“You're brave enough to help someone through a crisis even when you're scared," Theo finishes. “You have the biggest heart of anyone we've ever met, and that you use it to make the world a better place."

Tears are streaming down Belle's face now, and her scent is shifting toward something warmer and more open. "You see me," she whispers.

"We see you," I confirm. "All of you. The brilliant librarian, the passionate advocate, the woman who hides her light because she's afraid it might be too bright for other people to handle."

"We want to handle your light," Felix says softly. "Who can match it, complement it, help it shine even brighter."

Belle is crying harder now, but it's not the desperate tears of earlier. These are tears of recognition, of relief, of something that might be hope.

"I want that too," she admits quietly. "God help me, I want that so much."

"Then let us try," Theo says. "Let us show you what it could look like."

"How?" Belle asks.

"Let’s date,” I suggest. "Properly. Individual dates where we can get to know each other better without the pressure of making immediate decisions about forever."

“Dating,” Belle repeats, and there's something almost amused in her voice. "That sounds very traditional for such a non-traditional arrangement."

"Some traditions exist because they work," Felix points out. "Taking time to build trust and understanding before making permanent commitments isn't a bad idea."

"What would that look like?" Belle asks.

"Whatever you want it to look like," I tell her. "Dates with each of us individually, or group activities, or just spending time together without any romantic pressure. The goal is to give you space to figure out what you want without feeling rushed or overwhelmed."

"And if I decide I don't want this? If I realize that I'm not ready for pack life or that we're not compatible?"

"Then we accept that," Theo says, though I can smell the pain the admission costs him. "Belle, this only works if you choose it freely. If you feel pressured or trapped, then whatever we build together will be built on a foundation of coercion, and that's not love."

Belle is quiet for a long moment, her scent shifting through various emotions as she processes everything we've discussed. Outside, the storm has calmed to a gentle breeze, and I can hear the distant sounds of sirens and emergency vehicles responding to whatever damage the tornado caused.

"Okay," she says finally, and the word is so soft I almost miss it.

"Okay?" Felix asks, and there's hope in his voice.

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