Page 26 of Knot Shattered
Reluctantly, Salem sank back down, shooting her a gentle, encouraging nod. “We’ll be here.”
As she disappeared down the short hallway toward her bedroom, I glanced around her apartment again. “Honestly, guys, how great is this place? It’s like stepping directly inside her head.”
“It suits her,” Micha agreed quietly, eyes softening.
Ravik hummed his agreement from the armchair, idly tracing his thumb over a small carved statue he’d picked up from a nearby table, clearly fascinated by her artistry. “She deserves comfort after everything she’s been through,” he murmured.
Odette reappeared sooner than expected, carrying a heavy, worn duffle bag that she carefully placed by the couch. Her face was thoughtful now, the playful sparkle momentarily subdued by seriousness. I could feel the shift immediately, an undercurrent of tension settling softly around her shoulders.
“Everything okay?” Micha asked gently, picking up on the change just as quickly as I did.
She hesitated for a heartbeat before lifting her chin, meeting our curious eyes head-on. “I need to pack up my nest. I want to bring it with me.”
The room quieted briefly, each of us exchanging uncertain glances before Micha cautiously cleared his throat. “Odette, sunshine, we can—”
But she held up her hand gently yet firmly, stopping him mid-sentence. The determination in her gaze was so fierce, so beautifully stubborn, that it caught me off guard.
“Please listen,” she said softly, her voice steady and sure. “I know tradition says an alpha provides an omega’s nest, but…my nest is mine. Every item in there, every blanket, pillow, and every scrap of fabric, is something I bought and chose myself. Lately…” Her voice trembled just slightly before she steadied herself, determination blazing even brighter. “Lately, almost everything in my life has felt completely out of my control. But this, my nest, my things, my space, is something I have power over. I need that. I need to keep that.”
I saw Micha’s expression soften instantly, understanding flooding his gaze. Salem nodded quietly, clearly respecting the quiet strength it took for her to say this out loud. Ravik merely tilted his head slightly, eyes serious but warm.
I stood slowly, approaching her carefully, not because I doubted her strength, but because I wanted her to feel how serious we took her words. Gently, I cupped her cheek, running my thumb softly along her jawline, delighting in the warmth of her skin beneath my touch. “My sun, if your nest means that much to you, we’ll move the moon itself to bring it home. We understand, really.”
Micha nodded firmly beside me, moving closer as well. “Your space is sacred, Odette. We’ll never take that from you. If you want your things, they’re coming with us. End of story.”
She visibly relaxed beneath our assurances, tension melting out of her frame. She laughed softly, shaking her head. “Thank you. And I promise I won’t make you move any furniture, just…the blankets, the pillows, all the soft stuff.” Shepaused, grinning mischievously. “Technically, if you provide the furniture, you’re still providing for my nest. Loophole?”
I barked out a surprised laugh, delighted by her cleverness. “I adore you. Did I mention that yet today?”
“Only every other text you’ve sent today,” she teased softly.
“Clearly not enough,” I retorted, dropping a loud kiss to her cheek. “Prepare for a lifetime of constant reminders.”
She flushed warmly, looking down at the floor with shy happiness before clearing her throat, regaining control. “Okay. If everyone’s done embarrassing me with sweetness, I should finish packing. And yes—” She pointed accusingly at me. “—you may help me carry things, chaos-boy, since you seem so eager to prove your worth.”
I bow dramatically, grinning broadly. “At your service, my queen.”
As we followed Odette back down the hall toward her bedroom, laughter echoed softly between us, wrapping around her like a promise: we would always hear her. We would always respect her. We would always keep her safe.
And if carrying her beloved nest back home meant she felt even the slightest shred of comfort, I’d happily tear apart heaven and hell to make sure it happened.
She deserved nothing less.
Chapter Eight
Odette
September 2nd
9:35 A.M
The first thing I noticed was the soft and golden light spilling through the gauzy curtains and filtering into my nest like melted warmth. My lashes fluttered, but I didn’t open my eyes yet. I didn’t need to. I knew exactly where I was, surrounded by the familiar scent of comfort and belonging—my nest.
The space was everything to me: my sanctuary, my cocoon, and my castle made from blankets and love. Layers of plush throws in warm oranges and honeyed golds were piled around me, some worn soft with years of use, others newer but already infused with the familiar scent of home. My favorite fluffy, oversized, and mismatched pillows were stacked haphazardly behind me. Half of them have little stitched suns or velvet fringes. One had a tiny embroidered fox on it. I didn’t remember buying that one, but it made me smile whenever I saw it.
The sheets beneath me were sun-warmed and buttery soft, tucked into the oversized mattress that took up almost the entire corner of the room. It sat low to the ground, surrounded by a frame the guys had set up with patient hands and quiet grins. I remembered the way Micha had carefully drilled in each screw, the way Salem had laid out the rug beneath it so nothing would scrape the floor. Ravik had carried the entire bed frame upstairs by himself without breaking a sweat, but he’d still looked at me afterward like he wanted me to be proud ofhim. Haze had walked in with a laundry basket full of dryer-warmed stuffed animals and declared them “emotional support hostages.”
Gods, they’d been so sweet. No questions, no pushback. They hadn’t just let me bring my nest—they’d made space for it. Built around it, helped me make it mine again.
