Page 120 of Knot my Alphas

He opens his lavender eyes and watches me with a grim look. “How can you stand to be so calm when the others are sweating through their asses? Callahan will be coming prepared to unleash an apocalypse on us.”

“I can’t let them see,” I say, erasing my smile and giving him a glimpse of my true feelings. “They’re already so wound up about the event tomorrow. If they see me scared and stressed, they’re going to worry even more. I don’t want to be another problem they need to deal with.”

“You’re so fucking mature,” he says, sitting up. “I’d be freaking the hell out and driving everyone up the wall if I were you.”

“I know Callahan will come after me tomorrow,” I say. “This time, I’m ready to face him. He’s the one who should be scared ofme.”

“Is that the reason you want Ethan around?” he asks. “Emotional support?”

“Kind of,” I confess. “He’ll remind me of the girl I used to be. Despite knowing my true identity, I don’t want to forget the struggles I faced growing up. Those are the things that made me who I am today.”

“I understand you but it’s important not to let anything distract you tomorrow,” Julian says in a grim tone. “It’s risky to invite Ethan when we’re expecting an attack on our home. Petty jealousy aside, we need to be focusing all our attention on the enemy.”

A heavy sigh escapes.

Julian’s right. I can’t endanger Ethan’s life just because I miss him.

Julian wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me against him. “I’m sorry about being an ass earlier. Your friend’s welcome here anytime. Let’s just get through tomorrow in one piece.”

I nod. “It’s all right. I’d have probably reacted the same way if you were bringing a stranger into our home.”

He smiles and pecks my cheek. “You’re such a cute thing. Did you know that?”

A chuckle escapes me as I bury my head in his chest.

His arms come around me and he simply holds me, sharing his warmth.

A sigh escapes me as I close my eyes.

I’m exhausted but don’t feel sleepy. We’re all expecting a battle tomorrow. Callahan wouldn’t give up on the opportunity to hurt me and my mates.

No matter how much we’ve prepared ourselves, there’s always a chance of being hurt by the enemy. The unknown hangs over us like an inverted sword that can impale us at any moment.

Anxiety stabs at me but I refuse to acknowledge its prick. No matter what I face tomorrow, I won’t go down without a fight.

25

Iris

My eyes fly open as the first ring of my phone’s alarm tone goes off. I blink, throwing off the weight of a sleepy haze.

A groan sounds from beside me. “Shut it down,” Julian moans. Rolling over, he grabs a pillow and presses it over his head as my phone continues screaming.

My hand feels around the cushions to find my phone.

“It’s time, Julian,” I say, finally grabbing the phone and checking the time. “We’ve got to get up now.”

Julian replies with a muffled groan.

Grabbing the pillow, I pull it away from his face. “Five more minutes,” he whines.

I take pity on him and leave him to snooze for a couple of minutes. He can catch some sleep while I take a quick shower.

Entering the bathroom, I shirk off my t-shirt and shorts, and enter the shower stall. I turn the knob, making sure the water that cascades over me is cold. The chilly, freezing water makes me gasp but the shock helps to kick me awake.

Within minutes, I feel fully alert and energized.

Switching off the water, I grab a robe and head out of the bathroom.

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