Page 116 of Knot Baked Out For This
The words should feel like pressure, but instead feel like permission.
"Everything," I sob. "The orders won't stop. My systems can't keep up. I don't have staff. Some viral TikToker came by and now everyone wants to visit, and I need the money so badly because I want to be independent and buy you guys a decentcouch because your backs must be killing you, and maybe get a bed that would fit—" I stop, face burning even through tears.
"Keep going," he encourages, hand rubbing circles on my back.
"It's too much at once. Like drowning, but everyone thinks I'm swimming, and I can't disappoint them, but I can't breathe and?—"
"Okay. Okay, sunshine. We're going to fix this."
"How?"
"First, I'm calling in reinforcements. Luca for baking, Reverie for displays and crowd control. But that means letting people into your space. Your kitchen. Just temporarily, through Halloween. Can you handle that?"
Into my kitchen. My sanctuary. My controlled space.
But I'm already out of control, so maybe...
"Yes," I whisper into his chest.
"Good girl." The praise makes something warm unfurl in my chest. "I'm updating your website and socials right now—opening at 10 instead of 9 today. Give us time to prep. And we're doing a limited edition sweepstakes for metallic purple ghost cookies."
That startles a laugh out of me.
"Metallic purple? Of all things?"
He grins, that sunshine smile that could power cities. "Our favorite color. Secret pack color. Shh, don't tell anyone."
Our pack color is metallic purple. Of course it is.
He holds me tighter, and I breathe him in—honey and vanilla and something uniquely Levi that makes my omega instincts purr even through the panic.
"You need to rely on us more," he says seriously. "Talk to us when you're overwhelmed. That's what Alphas do, even if you're not used to it. We handle things so you can focus on what you love."
"I don't know how to be taken care of," I admit.
"Then we'll teach you. Starting now. You get ten minutes to eat a sugar cookie and relax. Look at Pinterest for whatever makes you happy."
"Even pretty beds and couches?"
His grin turns wicked.
"Especially pretty beds and couches. And Halloween costumes."
I pull back to look at him.
"Halloween costumes?"
"We're doing Halloween this year. As a pack."
"I haven't celebrated properly in years. Korrin thought it was childish."
"Korrin was an idiot." His green-gold eyes sparkle with mischief. "Have you done corn mazes? Pumpkin patches? Haunted hayrides? Apple picking? Costume parties?"
"Not... not as a pack."
"Well, Holloway," he says, and his grin is pure trouble, "you're about to get sick of us for the next two weeks because every day we're going to do all the fall season Halloween dates a pack would do."
CHAPTER 21
