Page 30 of Knot For Keeps

“I told you she was an interesting one.”

“You did,” Gage agreed.

ChapterSeventeen

Lavender

Consciousness started to tug at my mind. I was blissfully warm, the perfect temperature, relaxing on top of a comfortable surface. I felt so well rested, I didn’t want to open my eyes. The soft rocking of my dreams was euphorically relaxing, like soft waves lulling me into further oblivion.

Only it wasn’t rocking, I realised with a start. It wasbreathing. Breathing from the freaking alpha chest I was sprawled on!

I sat up with a start. I vaguely remembered Kane putting me in a new nest, and for the first time I was able to see how it actually looked. Beautiful. The nest was illuminated by fairy lights, and daylight filtered in from the closed curtains from outside the room. Gage was in the nest with me, and I had been sleeping on him. He looked peaceful in his sleep. Calm. He had stubble growing on his face and was sprawled out on his back. I doubted he had been able to move all night with my gargantuan ass sprawled all over him.

My head felt clearer today. The chemical imbalance that occurred when omegas were touch deprived could be serious, but easily rectified. Some omegas were worse than others. I cringed at the realisation that I was an omega who needed a lot of attention. I had always imagined myself to be a little more independent. I had assumed I could get through it alone, and had been embarrassed to tell the men what was happening.

I felt grimy, my teeth almost felt fuzzy. I was wearing a pair of sleep shorts and one of Gage’s shirts. When did I end up in his shirt? I couldn’t tell you honestly. The last few days were a sickening blur. An oversized cardigan completed my ensemble, and my hair probably had a mind of its own at this point.

I looked around the nest. It was beautiful. I had no idea they had such a beautiful room in this house. Two of the walls were taken up with giant windows so I could see the woodland outside. A small remote controlled the electric black out blinds so I could get rid of the daylight in mere seconds and nestle down in the darkest.

The room was decorated in light neutrals. Aesthetic white bedding covered several large, overstuffed pillows and comforters. The nest was sparse—clearly intended to be decorated by an omega in the future. But fresh air, the instant darkness, and the stunningly soft mattress made it a pretty phenomenal nest, despite its sparse nature.

* * *

Clambering off Gage I stumbled over to the bathroom, doing my business. Looking in the mirror I noted my hair was in a loose, side braid. I hadn’t done that. At least, I didn’trememberdoing that.Did one of the guys do it?The thought that they might’ve made me wistful. Taking it out felt wrong, even though I wanted to brush my hair so I opted to leave it in, padding back towards the bedroom.

Gage was standing when I came out, looking deliciously rumpled. He held a bottle of water out to me. “You need to drink,” he insisted.

Gently, I took the bottle from him, he had already cracked it open for me, and took a sip. A sip quickly turned into me chugging half the bottle before taking a small break. I hadn’t realised how parched I was.

“Thank you,” I said softly, clutching the bottle gently to my chest. Gage looked me over. I already looked better than yesterday. The colour had returned to my face somewhat and I was less shaky.

“You need to eat, too,” he told me, holding out his hand. The sight confused me. “And you need to be around us more, you were really unwell.”

“But distance,” I reminded him. I still had a heat creeping up on me.

“Distance can get fucked if it’s gonna make you sick. We can handle ourselves. Sure we’ll be walking around with permanent boners thanks to your scent, but we’re big boys, we can handle ourselves.”

Boners. Big Boys. Gage’s words flamed a response in me, but my cheeks heated, and I was praying that my treacherous scent wouldn’t show how much his words affected me.

I wasn’t not that lucky, though. Gage could smell my reaction the moment it happened. His nostrils flared and eyes widened ever so slightly, but he kept still, saying nothing. After a deep breath he took a step forward, gently grabbing me by the elbow and tugging me towards the door.

I didn't question him as he pulled me down the corridor and fell into step next to him. He kept his hand placed on my lower back. The touch was electrifying, but I did my best to hide any reaction. I hadn’t been out of my room much at all, so I needed the guidance. The pack house was so large and airy, I could easily get lost in it.

The kitchen looked like a food filled bomb had detonated. Pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, any breakfast food I could possibly want filled every side.

If I had an ounce of energy left I would have been concerned about my appearance.

“Morning,” Theo grinned at me from where he stood, stirring what looked like more scrambled eggs in a frying pan. “What can I get for you?”

“Food?” I asked, smiling sheepishly.

“Well there’s a little of everything,” Theo gestured to the counter. “Take whatever you want.” I took an empty plate that was already out on the counter and perused the dishes, grabbing a waffle followed by some bacon and eggs.

“I don’t know where Theo found these cooking skills, you’ve never cooked for us like that!” Archer laughed from his spot at the table, breakfast burrito in hand.

“I did!” Theo exclaimed, dishing up the latest batch of eggs.

“You would cook one thing, usually with a weird, unknown ingredient you were experimenting with. I remember the avocado and turmeric waffles!”

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