Page 73 of Knot Shattered
Jex tugged me into his chest, gently pressing his lips to my temple. “Happy, princess?”
I wrapped my arms around his waist, letting myself melt into his warmth. “Ridiculously so.”
Fox slid closer, slipping an arm around my waist, and Dare moved in as well, until I was cocooned between the three of them—safe, surrounded, and undeniably loved.
This was what happiness looked like now.
But morning light. Laughter in our kitchen. Teasing, chaotic affection.
This was home.
And I finally knew peace wasn’t boring—not really.
Not when peace looked exactly like this.
Although I’ll miss the explosions.
Odette
May 13th
12:42 P.M
The backyard was a picture-perfect chaos of alphas attempting to out-grill each other and omegas lounging in clusters, trading gossip and laughter beneath the late afternoon sun. My pack’s sprawling house had quickly become the unofficial gathering place for our misfit family—a vibrant, noisy collision of Rosetti charm, Frost’s military calm, and Hael’sbarely contained chaos. Add my mother’s warmth, Henry’s watchful presence, and Adrienne’s biting humor; it was exactly as hectic as it sounded.
And I loved every second of it.
My head rested on Micha’s thigh, stretched out comfortably on one of the oversized patio sofas we’d dragged outside. Salem sat at my feet, absently rubbing circles against my ankles, while Ravik loomed nearby, eyes narrowed suspiciously at the grill where Kingston and Jex argued fiercely about the right way to flip burgers. Bless him, Haze was currently attempting to convince Voss and Fox that marshmallows counted as appetizers if you toasted them first.
Fallon cackled wildly nearby, Romano’s arm draped casually around her shoulders as he sipped from a beer bottle. Her arms resting on her five month pregnant belly. Violet was curled contentedly in Dare’s lap, smiling indulgently while he argued animatedly with Adrienne about something I couldn’t quite hear over the general racket.
My mother drifted past, elegant and at ease in her flowing sundress, smiling warmly at Henry, who hovered near the patio like a sentinel. His jeans and dark shirt might have appeared casual, but his sharp gaze catalogued every detail. When he caught me watching, he offered a subtle nod that made my heart swell. Even now, even safe, he stood guard, ever my protector.
“You look happy,” Micha murmured, his fingers gently threading through my hair.
“I am,” I replied softly. “More than I thought I could be.”
“You deserve it, little warrior,” Salem said, squeezing my foot affectionately. The gold Valkyrie cuff gleamed proudly on my bicep, catching the sunlight as if it, too, celebrated my healing.
Movement caught my eye as someone entered through the side gate, and my smile widened. “Riven!”
Long black hair, vibrant hazel eyes, and tattoos swirling boldly up both arms, Riven waved warmly at us. She looked softer than I remembered, the tension of captivity finally faded from her features, replaced with a quiet strength. Fallon immediately whooped in greeting, and Violet hopped off Dare’s lap to hug Riven fiercely.
“Glad you could make it!” Fallon grinned, tugging Riven towards us. “You survived your first invite into this madness.”
Riven laughed, though there was something quiet, almost bittersweet in the sound. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Everything okay?” Violet asked softly, sensing the shift just as I did.
Riven hesitated, eyes flicking across the yard full of joyful chaos. “Could I talk to you three for a second?”
“Of course,” I said, gently untangling myself from my alphas. Micha and Salem exchanged a glance, but let me go without question, trusting I’d tell them later. I slipped an arm through Riven’s, leading her toward the quieter corner near the old oak tree.
Fallon leaned against the thick trunk, crossing her arms with an expectant smirk. “Alright, spill. What’s up?”
Riven took a steadying breath, eyes thoughtful. “I’ve decided to leave Chicago.”
The declaration hung softly between us, not entirely unexpected, but bittersweet nonetheless.
