Page 24 of Knot Shattered
“Go,” Fallon urged gently, smiling warmly at me through the screen. “Be happy, O. And if any of those gorgeous idiots hurt you, just remember we know how to hide bodies.”
Violet nodded solemnly beside her. “We’ve had practice.”
I laugh because that's very true. “Well, the pack that did that to me, better watch out. I was terrified before because I couldn’t even remember what they looked like. Now that I do, I am furious, so they better watch out because I swear I won't stop until they are six feet under.”
They both cheered. “ There’s out fierce bitch!”
Their laughter carried through the speakers as I ended the call, shaking my head with a warmth spreading slowly through my chest. I turned one last look at my sculpture—at Trapped—her silent marble scream now beautifully finished.
Then I squared my shoulders, brushed marble dust from my clothing, and walked toward the door, toward my pack.
Toward whatever came next.
Haze
August 30th
11:03 A.M
“Hello, my gorgeous sun!” I call cheerfully, practically bounding forward as Odette opens the door to her studio.
And gods above, there she is—standing framed by the doorway like something I conjured straight out of a fever dream. Her bright blue eyes immediately lock onto mine, wide and startled, and my breath catches in my throat. She’s a vision: lush curves hugged by jean shorts that make me dizzy, a cropped shirt that leaves a tantalizing strip of sun-kissed skin bare at her waist. Her hair, a cascade of rich orange-gold ombre, falls loosely around her face, escaping from a messy bun and begging for my hands.
I suck in a sharp breath, completely forgetting any shred of dignity, and subtly, okay, maybe not so subtly, adjust the painfully hard situation in my jeans.
Odette’s eyes flick downward, catching the movement immediately. Her cheeks flush bright pink, a color I instantly adore, and I grin wickedly at her reaction. Her mouth opens in surprise, a small, sweet sound of embarrassment slipping from her lips.
“God, you’re gorgeous,” I murmur shamelessly, as Micha smoothly shoulders past me, throwing me a pointed look. He greets Odette softly with a kiss pressed to her cheek.
“Hi, sunshine,” Micha says, his voice gentle and warm as always. Odette relaxes slightly under his steady presence, turning next toward Ravik.
Our silent brute surprises us all when he ducks his head slightly, voice unusually tender. “Hey, little omega.” His words are low, filled with the sort of fierce reverence he usually reserves for combat. Odette blushes deeper, a shy smile blooming on her lips.
Salem’s greeting is quiet and calm as always. He brushes a thumb over her knuckles, his eyes softening as they meet hers. “Hey O, you look beautiful today.”
My packmates have their charms, but damn it all, I’m impatient. I step forward, not even trying to hide my eagerness anymore. Odette’s gaze snaps back to mine, and her eyes immediately drop down to my T-shirt. Her pretty lips twitch, fighting back a smile.
“Dangerously overconfident, deliciously underqualified,” she reads out loud, shaking her head with amusement.
“Sounds about right, doesn’t it?” Salem drawls dryly from behind me.
I ignore him completely, holding my arms wide. “Come here, my sun. Stop depriving me of your cuddles.”
She laughs outright, a beautiful, musical sound that tightens every muscle in my body. When she steps into my open arms, warmth floods through my chest, an unfamiliar sense of peace mixing sweetly with desire. Her curves mold against my chest perfectly as I pull her in tight, and her scent, sweet blueberry pancakes, hits me like a drug. I bury my nose into the soft curve of her neck, inhaling deeply, greedily.
“I look forward to your ridiculous T-shirts every time I see you,” she murmurs teasingly, her hands coming to rest lightly on my chest. She tilts her head up, amusement and affection sparkling in those breathtaking eyes of hers.
I grin down at her, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You should see the ones Micha makes me change out of before I leave the house.”
Odette giggles, her body shaking gently against mine, and suddenly the chaos of my mind stills for just a moment. There’s nothing but her warmth, her laughter, the easy banter of my packmates in the background, and the comforting scent of marble dust and sunshine wrapping around us.
If this is what insanity feels like, then sign me the fuck up, because I’m never letting her go. I reluctantly loosened my hold on Odette, just enough to let my packmates ease into her orbit. Not because I particularly wanted to let go, I didn’t, but because I could feel the pull from them, their quiet eagerness to touch and reassure her, too. We are a team, a pack, and we are hers.
Micha stepped forward first, cupping Odette’s face between his palms with a reverence I usually only saw from himwhen he handled rare weapons or very old whiskey. He brushed his thumb tenderly across her flushed cheekbone, leaning in to press a gentle kiss against her forehead. Odette’s lashes fluttered closed, and she sighed softly, a quiet release of the tension she’d carried in her shoulders.
“You really do look beautiful,” Micha murmured against her skin, voice quiet and full of steady affection. “Missed you.”
Salem was next, his touch just as gentle, careful, and deliberate. He caught her hand, lifting it slowly to his lips, placing a lingering kiss on her fingertips. Her eyes widened slightly at the sweet gesture, a new blush darkening her cheeks as Salem smiled softly.
