Page 54 of A Heart in Knots

“I want Skye to be happy,” she answered, putting one hand on her hip and the other on Skye’s shoulder. “If that means more dates between just the two of them, then fine. If that means adding another member to the pack, then, we’ll go shopping for a new bedroom set.”

“You can’t be serious.”

Halo shot me a witheringly flat look. “We should be kissing Rowan’s feet. His omega gave us a priceless gift.”

“What are you so afraid of?” Skye asked Crux and me. “Do you think I’ll love you any less? Because I won’t. You’re my alphas.” Then, she addressed me directly. “You’re my pack lead. Nothing and no one can change that.”

Crux dug a pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket and pulled one out. “Even though you’ve been a pretty huge dick these last few months,” he said, sticking the cigarette between his lips.

Heat rose up the back of my neck. “Excuse me?”

Crux pulled out a lighter and flipped it in his hand, as if taunting me on whether or not he was going to light up. We’ve always had a strict no smoking inside the house rule, and we doubled down when Skye came back from the hospital. “You heard me.”

“Elaborate,” I said, a growl just teasing the edges of my words.

Crux shook his head. “You don’t wanna go down this path with me right now, man.” He focused on the interloper. “You’ve been awfully quiet. Can’t speak up for yourself?”

Rowan cleared his throat. “I haven’t slept a full night since the accident,” he admitted. “My apartment feels like a tomb.”

“So rent a hotel,” I said, sourly.

Skye marched up to me and got into my space. “We all know what can happen to an alpha who loses their omega.” She jabbed a finger directly into my chest. “And I am not going to let that happen.”

“Okay, pause,” Halo threw her meticulously manicured hands up. “Everyone needs to cool down. We should set down some ground rules.”

“Later.” Crux shook his head. “I gotta go before shit gets mean. You.” He pointed at Rowan. “You’re coming with me. Let’s go.”

Without a word, Rowan peeled off from Skye and Halo and shadowed Crux.

“Where are you taking him?” Skye asked.

“Guy time,” Crux flicked on his lighter with one hand and yanked open the front door with the other. He didn’t look back, didn’t ask for permission, and didn’t make sure Rowan was following him.

The door lazily shut behind them.

“Well,” Halo said, breaking the silence. “If he can survive an evening with Crux, he can survive anything.”

Chapter 35

SKYE

“I’mgoingtotakea bath,” Halo announced. She slid a finger across my shoulders, from one to the other. “You should join me.”

“Maybe next time.” Apology was audible in my voice. “I need to talk with Severen.”

“If you insist,” she said. “But don’t stress yourself.”

She kissed my cheek and I caught the venomous glance she cast at Severen in warning, before she sauntered to the master bathroom upstairs. I drifted over to the coffee machine, an expensive brick of a device that could make pretty much any coffee concoction one could want.

“Cappuccino?” I offered.

“Or something stronger,” Severen answered. “And you shouldn’t be having one,” he added.

“Cappuccino,” I stated, having finalized the decision. There were no other options. Well, there were, but if he wanted something else he’d have to get up and make it himself.

Once they were ready, I brought the two cups over. My mug was smaller, shorter, just enough to hold a literal cup of liquid, and it tapered down at the base a little. Severen’s mug was a hefty thing, and held a great deal more than mine. I placed it in front of him, careful not to disturb any of the perfect, snowy foam floating on the top.

I also brought out some arrowroot cookies and placed the package between us. I sat at the table, in the chair across from my pack lead.

---