Page 44 of Knot Shattered
Fallon nudged her playfully. “Or perfect disaster.”
“Honestly, a little of both,” I agreed, smiling broadly. “Their house, though… gods, it’s stunning. It’s huge, but not intimidating. Very modern, lots of open space, and giant windows. Their living room alone is bigger than my entire apartment, and there’s this kitchen…” I sighed dramatically. “I could live in that kitchen alone. It’s all warm wood and marble counters, and the pantry is stocked with literally every snack I’ve ever mentioned liking.”
Fallon gasped theatrically. “You have your own personal snack pantry already? You’ve only been there a few days! It took me weeks of intense training to get Jace and Kingston to remember my favorite snacks.”
Violet rolled her eyes playfully. “You literally texted Jace a detailed list on day two.”
Fallon shrugged innocently. “Semantics.”
I laughed softly, warmth flooding my chest as I pictured my alphas again. “Honestly, though, the best part was that they let me bring my nest. I didn’t think they’d agree, but they didn’t even hesitate, just told me it was mine, and that if it mattered to me, it mattered to them.”
The room fell dramatically silent. Fallon’s eyes widened, jaw dropping slightly, and Violet’s mouth hung open in exaggerated shock.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Fallon sputtered, nearly spilling her coffee as she pointed an accusing finger at me. “You got to bring your nest? Like, your actual nest, with your own stuff?”
I blinked at them, suddenly self-conscious. “Yes? I mean, I insisted. My things mean a lot to me. They understood.”
Fallon groaned dramatically, flopping backward against the couch with a hand thrown theatrically over her eyes. “I cannot believe this. I desperately tried to bring my nest stuff when I moved in here, and Kingston looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Romano literally picked me up, carried me out of the house, and took me straight to Fluffed Up.” She grins. “The overenthusiastic puppy tried to build a nest before I moved in. Gods, I love that man.”
“Same!” Violet exclaimed, indignant. “Fox refused point-blank. He literally told me it was ‘a violation of alpha law’ and that we had to make an entirely new nest together. Dare and Jex agreed! I didn’t even get to argue!”
I laughed helplessly, feeling oddly victorious. “Sorry, ladies. I didn’t realize it was such a controversy.”
Fallon sat up straight again, her expression mock-serious. “You realize you’ve broken the sacred omega rule. You’re officially spoiled rotten. Clearly, your alphas are defective.”
Violet grinned wickedly. “Or they’re just smart enough to realize Odette was gonna win that argument regardless.”
I laughed, shaking my head fondly. “I did tell them they could add things later. I compromised.”
Fallon smirked knowingly. “Smart girl. Train them early.”
I giggled, shaking my head. “You two are impossible.”
“Obviously,” Violet replied, smirking. “And you love us for it.”
I smiled softly, warmth settling firmly in my chest, chasing away the lingering shadows. “I really do.”
Silence settled comfortably between us for a moment, the quiet warmth of true friendship. Then Fallon set her mug down and leaned forward, eyes sparkling mischievously again.
“So,” she said slowly, grinning wickedly, “tell us more about this chaotic, deranged alpha of yours. What exactly makes Haze so delightfully unhinged? And does he need a best friend?”
I had just settled deeper into the soft, buttery cushions, laughing at something ridiculous Fallon had said, when a loud, splintering crash shattered the calm. My mug slipped from my fingers, landing forgotten on the thick rug, coffee seeping silently into the plush fibers.
Chapter Twelve
Odette
October 20th
7:17 P.M
Six men stood in the shattered doorway, dark-clothed and masked, but my gaze immediately locked onto the largest alpha, the one standing confidently at their center. Recognition hit me like ice water, freezing me solid in place.
“Hello again, pet,” he drawled, his voice oily and darkly amused.
My stomach turned violently. “That’s…that’s one of them,” I whispered, my voice trembling, barely audible even to myself.
Fallon shot off the couch, throwing her hands in the air, her eyes blazing. “Oh, come ON! How do you assholes keep getting into this supposedly secure fucking house? Are our security systems purely decorative now?”
