Page 112 of Knot in Bloom
“Better?” I ask as she collapses against my chest, my knot still locking us together.
“So much better,” she murmurs into my neck, her scent now thoroughly mixed with mine. The honeysuckle and vanilla carry notes of satisfaction and claim—my scent marking her as surely as any bite. “Thank you for reminding me to just... want things.”
“Thank you for letting me take care of you,” I say, stroking her hair as my knot slowly begins to soften. “For letting me love you.”
“Always,” she breathes against my throat. “Your omega, remember?”
The possessive way she says it makes my chest tight with emotion. When my knot finally deflates enough for me to slip free, we both whimper at the loss of connection.
“Home?” I ask softly, helping her straighten her clothes.
“Home,” she agrees, and her scent carries complete contentment now. Less stressed, more settled. Ready to accept that she’s allowed to want things just for herself.
As we drive back to our cottage and our life together, I can smell the difference in her—thoroughly claimed and utterly mine. But underneath the satisfaction, that new note in her scent lingers. Deeper, richer, protective instincts I didn’t know I had stirring to life.
I file the observation away for later. Right now, watching my omega understand that she’s allowed to want things just for the joy of wanting them is everything.
Money can buy a lot of things, but this? This is priceless.
Chapter 34
Sadie
Six weeks after bonding, I stare at the pregnancy test in my hands and can’t stop the grin that spreads across my face.
Two pink lines. Clear as day.
I’ve suspected for the past few days—the exhaustion that Reid noticed, the way certain scents have been making my stomach turn, the subtle changes in my body that I kept telling myself were just stress. But seeing the confirmation makes it real in a way that steals my breath.
We’re having a baby.
I press my hand to my still-flat stomach, wonder and joy bubbling up inside me so intensely it makes my eyes water. After everything—thinking I wasn’t meant to be bonded, convinced I’d spend my life helping others find love while staying on the sidelines—here I am. Mated to three incredible alphas and carrying our child.
Through our pack bond, I feel a flutter of curiosity from downstairs. Levi’s cooking dinner, and I can smell something involving garlic and herbs that normally would have me gravitating toward the kitchen. But right now, I need a moment to process this miracle.
Our baby. Growing inside me. Safe and loved already.
I take a shaky breath and clean up the bathroom, tucking the pregnancy test into my sweater pocket. Dinner conversation tonight is definitely going to be interesting.
When I make it downstairs, all three of my alphas are in the kitchen. Reid’s setting the table with his usual precision, Caleb’s opening a bottle of wine, and Levi’s stirring something that smells incredible despite my suddenly sensitive nose.
“Perfect timing,” Levi says, glancing up with that soft smile that always makes my heart skip. “Chicken marsala with roasted vegetables. Your favorite.”
“Smells amazing,” I manage, though the wine Caleb’s pouring makes my stomach do a small flip. “Actually, could I just have water tonight?”
“You feeling okay?” Caleb asks immediately, alpha concern sharpening his scent. “You’ve seemed tired lately.”
“I’m perfect,” I say, settling into my usual chair. “Better than perfect, actually.”
Through the pack bond, I feel their collective attention focus on me with laser precision. Reid pauses in arranging silverware, Levi turns from the stove, and Caleb sets down the wine bottle to really look at me.
“Something’s different,” Reid observes, his keen eyes cataloging details. “Your scent...”
“Sweeter,” Levi agrees, abandoning the stove entirely. “Richer. Like honeysuckle in full bloom.”
“Sadie?” Caleb’s voice carries that alpha authority that means he’s not accepting evasion. “What’s going on?”
I pull the pregnancy test from my pocket and set it gently on the table between us. “This is what’s going on.”
