Page 26 of Knot Letting Go

“Hi Aubrielle!” Alderic popped up behind my friend and waved.

“The trip is awesome. Everything I’d hoped it would be. We’ve been to two other castles, but Blarney, God, it’s the best. Best. Castle. Ever!” Kienna cheered, and her mates hooted in the background. “You would love it here. It’s so magical, like a fairy tale come to life.”

“And the pubs are slapping!” Tiergan shouted from nearby.

There was a beep and Nicolette joined our call. She was dimly lit and rubbing her eyes with one hand as she held an infant breastfeeding with her other arm. “Hey girls.”

“Nic! I’m at Blarney!” Kienna exclaimed again and did another slower spin to share the views.

“Gorgeous.” Nicolette nodded and yawned.

“How are you doing, Nicolette?” I asked, not wanting to say she looked like she’d barely made it through the mall stampede for Black Friday sales. Yet something in me went soft at hearing the gentle sounds of her son feeding.

“Exhausted. You’d think with twins they’d be the same, but they’re so not. They’re even on different schedules. One is awake while the other sleeps, so that means I get no sleep.” She sighed but tenderly stroked the baby’s head.

“Well, it’s lucky you’re awake. I’m about to kiss the Blarney Stone.” It was one of Kienna’s lifelong dreams. She handed the phone off to one of her mates and another two held her legs as she bent over the ledge to hang upside-down. Shewaved at the camera and then kissed the ancient stone, lying her cheek against it as if she might hug it.

We cheered for her as she reluctantly left her spot and stood back up, retrieving her phone. “I can feel the magic. It’s soaring through my veins. I have the gift of gab!”

I giggled, genuinely so happy for her that she was living her dream and with mates who helped make it come true for her.

“You already had that gift.” Nicolette softly snorted.

“Now you’re doubly blessed,” I added with a laugh.

“Aw, I miss my girls.” Kienna blew a kiss at her cell. “Sorry to kiss and run, but we’ve got a tour to finish. I just had to share that with you.”

“Thank you. Have fun and post a million pictures.” I waved at her.

“Yeah, go on and enjoy. Miss you too.” Nicolette smiled.

“Bye, girls. Love you!” Kienna exited the call.

I gazed at Nicolette fussing with her son, switching him around to the other side of her chest. Yes, she looked exhausted, nothing like the beach party girl she used to be, but she looked content and fulfilled. “Motherhood suits you.”

She raised her brows. “Motherhood is going to kill me.” The baby cooed and her expression softened. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s wonderful. I never thought I’d love being a mom so much. I always thought you’d be the first one of us to get married and have a child.”

“One day. There’s no rush. I have to find the right Alpha first.” I opened my mouth to tell her what was happening at the manor, but I bit the side of my tongue. She didn’t need to hear my troubles with so much on her plate right now.

“Any Alpha would be damn lucky to have you. How is being a nanny to Lillianna going? Callista will be home tomorrow, right?”

“It’s fantastic. Lillianna is such an incredible kid. We’re going to design mermaid tails today.” I might have been an adult, but I was still excited to lose myself in the mermaid world with Lillianna. “Yes, it’s Sunday tomorrow. Their flight comes in about noon. Hopefully we can visit with her some time next week.”

“I’m glad you two live closer together now. I hate that we’re all so far apart.” Nicolette glanced down at her baby and whispered, “He’s sleeping now. I’m going to put him down and try to get a few winks myself. It was so good to talk, Aubrie.”

“Go get sleep. Miss you and take care.”

“You too. Bye.”

The call ended and I hugged my phone to my chest. I missed my friends terribly, but we were all in good places. There were bumps in the roads, but it would all work out.

I tidied up and just before leaving the room, I spotted Konstantin’s note I’d dropped earlier. Best not leave that lying around in case anyone else saw it. I scanned it as I carried it to the bin and realized I hadn’t read the last bit.

Know that your position here is secure, and that I have never offered myself to anyone as I’ve done with you. You’re an extraordinary young woman, and I want nothing more than to help you realize that. Hopefully in more ways than one.

Konstantin

Heat rushed through my body and flooded my face. He’d never offered himself to anyone like this. Yes, I knew he was married before and had a daughter, but for an Alpha to admit something like that, it showed the weight of the proposition.

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