Page 64 of Knotting else Matters

“She hasn’t said yes yet.” He turned to me, his gaze sharp, intense, but there was a faint, teasing light in his eyes. “I’ve made my declaration, put my heart on the line, but the woman in question is still undecided.”

I narrowed my eyes, crossing my arms, the wild, desperate ache in my chest crashing into something warm, something fierce. “Oh, really? And what are you going to do about it?”

Adrian’s smile widened, his tall, broad figure sinking to one knee, his dark, fierce gaze locked on mine, his voice a low, dramatic rumble. “Olivia, my sweet chaos, my beautiful disaster, the wild, impossible woman who makes me lose my mind—I am begging you. Begging you to be mine.”

“Oh, gods.” Sophie snorted, one hand covering her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter.

I tried to keep a straight face, tried to hold on to the fierce, sharp tension twisting in my chest, but it was impossible. The sight of this towering Alpha, this fierce, unshakable pack leader, on his knees in the middle of the sunlit room, his eyes shining with that quiet, desperate warmth… it was too much.

“You look ridiculous,” I whispered, a wild, breathless laugh slipping out.

“I feel ridiculous.” His voice softened, his dark, intense gaze never leaving mine. “But for you? I’d do it a thousand times.”

I laughed, a sharp, breathless sound that twisted into something warm, something perfect. I stepped forward, grabbing his face, pulling him up, crashing my lips against his in a fierce, wild kiss. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, his warmth crashing over me, his heartbeat pounding against mine.

When I finally pulled back, breathless, my fingers tangled in his dark hair, I stared up at him, a wild, desperate thrill racing through me. “I’ve known you for a week.”

“Yes,” he murmured, his thumb brushing against my cheek, his gaze soft, steady, unyielding. “But your wolf has been searching for me her whole life.”

A fierce, wild ache twisted in my chest, the sharp, desperate tension crashing into something warm, something terrifyingly real. “You’re insane.”

“Probably.” He leaned closer, his lips brushing against mine, a slow, lazy kiss. “But I’m yours. I don’t need a definitive answer. I know you hate rules. I know you hate being boxed in, hate feeling trapped. All I’m asking for… is a chance.”

A chance.

My fingers curled against his shirt, the fierce, wild heat crashing over me, and I stared up at him, the warmth of his touch, the quiet, desperate light in his eyes… it was enough. More than enough.

“I can do achance.” I whispered, a faint, breathless smile tugging at my lips.

His smile widened, his dark eyes shining with that quiet, fierce pride. “Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Oh, I know.” I leaned in, pressing another quick, fierce kiss to his lips. “But you better be ready. Because I’m a disaster.”

“Mysweet chaos.” His voice was a low, warm murmur against my lips. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Sophie cleared her throat, crossing her arms, a faint, teasing smile curling at her lips. “Are you two done? Because, in case you forgot, it’smyday. Not your dramatic love confession day.”

Adrian laughed, a deep, warm sound that seemed to fill the room, and he pulled me close, his arm wrapping around my waist. “Sorry, Sophie. We’ll try to keep the chaos to a minimum.”

“Unlikely.” I grinned, leaning against him, feeling the fierce, wild heat of his touch, the quiet, steady warmth of his presence wrapping around me.

But for the first time, it didn’t feel suffocating. Didn’t feel terrifying.

It felt like home.

CHAPTER 16

Olivia

The grand estate was a whirlwind of motion, a flurry of laughter, rustling silk, and the sweet, fragrant scent of wildflowers. Sophie was a vision in her delicate, flowing gown, her golden curls crowned with soft, pastel blooms, her wide, bright blue eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and nerves.

Karl couldn’t stop smiling, his tall, broad figure dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his normally wild, sandy-blonde hair swept back, his bright, easy grin a constant, infectious warmth.

And then there was Adrian—standing tall and calm, his dark, fierce gaze a quiet, steady presence beside me. But I felt it—the quiet, warm pressure of his hand against the small of my back, the slow, lazy brush of his thumb against the curve of my waist. The subtle, protective way he guided me through the swirling chaos of the estate, his voice low and calm as he introduced me to his family.

“This is Olivia,” he said, his voice steady, his dark eyes flicking to mine, a faint, proud smile curling at his lips. “My mate.”

My heart twisted, a fierce, wild thrill racing through me every time he said it.

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