Page 65 of Knot Broken

Jex rises quietly, padding across the thick rug to sit beside me on the edge of the couch. His fingers gently trace the fresh bond mark at my throat, sending a shiver down my spine. “Whatever comes next, we’ll handle it. Together.”

“Always,” Dare murmurs quietly, squeezing me gently.

The room falls into comfortable silence again, broken only by the steady, reassuring beat of my alphas’ hearts. Whatever storms lie ahead, right now, we have this.

Peace. Strength. Love.

Violet

August 10th

7:36 P.M

Laughter floats through the house tonight, filling every corner with warmth and light, chasing away any shadows lingering in the corners. Tonight isn’t about plans or missions or survival. Tonight is about family.

Our family.

The dining room has never looked so welcoming—warm lights draped gently around the windows, a long table overflowing with plates of homemade food. Fallon and I spent hours cooking together, which mostly involved Fallon playfully threatening me with various kitchen utensils whenever I almost burned something. Honestly, I only narrowly avoided another “burning water” incident, but Jex kindly stepped in before disaster struck. Fallon is cackling the whole time as she tells me they finally found Marcy. The terrible, idiotic manager who had the audacity to steal from her. They found her on a yacht she stole, and then got lost in the middle of the ocean and had to be rescued by the coast guard.

I glance around, feeling my heart swell as I take in the faces gathered here. Fallon and Kingston sit side by side, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist, her midnight-blue hair tumbling down her shoulders as she laughs at something Voss mutters dryly. Voss’s usual intensity is softened tonight, his dark eyes shining with amusement rather than menace.

Across from them, Romano and Jace are deep in a quiet argument about technology versus “old-school methods,” while Fox observes them with quiet amusement, his lips quirked into a small, knowing smile. Dare lounges nearby, gently swirling the bourbon in his glass, his gaze protective and steady as he watches over the room.

Jex moves behind me, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. His presence is calming, reassuring, a quiet anchor in a room overflowing with personalities and fierce love.

A soft laugh draws my gaze toward Odette, who’s tucked comfortably between her mom, Vaila, and Henry. Her vibrant orange hair is carefully styled, and she’s smiling genuinely for the first time since that awful day. Healing still shadows her eyes, but tonight, she’s safe, protected by family that loves her fiercely.

Adrienne sits nearby, poised and elegant as always, eyes sharp but softer tonight as she listens to Odette share stories from our past misadventures. It’s surreal to see Adrienne Hart—our powerful new ally—laughing openly alongside the pack, but it feels right, as though she’s always belonged here.

Warm arms wrap gently around my waist, and I lean back instinctively into Dare’s embrace, his deep voice soft against my ear. “You built something incredible here, Vi.”

I glance up, meeting his earnest gaze. “We built something incredible,” I correct gently, smiling. “This is ours.”

He hums softly, pressing his lips tenderly to my shoulder. “You’re right.”

Across the table, Fallon catches my eye, raising her wineglass with a wicked smile. “To Violet—our fearless, kitchen-challenged omega who somehow brought us all together without burning the house down.”

Everyone laughs as I groan, cheeks heating. Fox chuckles softly, shaking his head as he raises his glass. “To family,” he says quietly, his voice strong and steady, immediately echoed by the others.

“To family,” everyone murmurs, voices blending warmly as glasses clink softly.

Dinner fades into gentle conversation and easy laughter, time slipping softly past until the candles burn low, bathing the room in a comforting golden glow. Slowly, the house quiets, our guests reluctantly drifting homeward until it’s just the four of us again.

Fox is cleaning quietly in the kitchen, Dare stacking dishes beside him, their quiet murmurs comforting. Jex pulls me into the living room, wrapping a warm blanket around my shoulders as we sit quietly on the couch. I lean into his strength, breathing him in deeply.

He cups my cheek, thumb stroking gently over my skin. “Happy?”

My heart aches gently, beautifully, and I nod, feeling deeply grateful. “More than I ever thought possible.”

“Good,” he whispers softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Because you deserve it all.”

As I rest against him, my eyes drift toward the window, to the quiet darkness outside. It feels peaceful now, serene—but somewhere deep inside, I know this peace is temporary.

Tonight, though, there’s only warmth, laughter, and the strength of my pack around me.

And tonight, that’s enough.

Epilogue

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