Page 154 of Knot So Social

Except they don’t know my full story yet. Or about the web of lies I’m trapped in. Will Joel still talk about being a pack when the whole truth comes out?

Well, that’s not something I can face today. Cuddled in my new alpha’s arms, the stiffness drains out of my body and a lethargy swims behind it, dragging on my thoughts. It’s been a hell of a day, I suppose.

Joel lowers his voice, and the deep hum as he finishes on the phone lulls me into complete darkness.

I wake to the scent of fried food and my stomach grumbles. Jeremy’s home. Someone cracked the panic room’s door open enough to allow a sliver of daylight to enter, along with the faint sounds of movement beyond. No thunder.

I stir slowly, feeling sluggish but at peace in a way I haven’t for years. Maybe ever, that I can recall.

A heavy arm wraps around my waist and a warm body presses against my thighs, which can only be a fur friend. Reaching down, I discover a short, prickly coat instead of long hair. A big tongue licks my hand, making me giggle.

The presence at my back shifts, flooding me with a deep sun-baked terracotta scent.

“Hi there, Princess,” Joel purrs, looking down at me.

I roll onto my back and stare, taking in the alpha’s wide set cheeks, hazel eyes, and stubble beard. Most of all, an unmistakable devotion burns in his gaze. None of it was a dream.

I reach for him, pulling his head down until our mouths meet. He tastes of peanuts and chocolate, and his chest shivers as we prolong the kiss. I run my fingers through his short hair, enjoying the smooth feel along with the velvet touch of his lips on mine. Unhurried, we sip at each other’s tongues and pepper tiny kisses over lips.

Joel deepens the kiss to cover my mouth and gently sucks, pulling the air from my lungs. When my oxygen runs out, I draw back with a gasp, a flutter working through my chest. He smiles and dots a light kiss on my lips.

“Hungry?” he whispers.

I nod. “Very.”

Still, we take our time, him stroking my cheek and gazing at me like he’s trying to memorize my face, and me learning the contours of his shoulders and watching how the lines around his mouth deepen when he smiles.

The door widens, sweeping natural light across us, and Jeremy’s scent fills the room. Together, the brothers smell like an herb garden: green, sunny, and earthy.

“And that’s our cue,” Joel murmurs. He digs his hands under me, scrunching in the beanbag to draw my body up. Jock spills off the side, all stiff legs and surprised eyes.

I chuckle as I get my feet under me.

“Hi, darlin’,” Jeremy drawls, silhouetted in the open doorway. “Hope I didn’t disturb you?”

“We were awake.” I open my arms and he lifts me right off my feet in a bear hug.

“Hey you,” he whispers into my hair. “Alessandro told me a bit about what happened. I’m sorry you had to deal with that alone.”

I smile, wheezing a little for breath. “It worked out in the end.”

“Yeah.” He draws back with a grin. “Can’t say I’m unhappy about the ending.”

I slap his wide shoulders playfully and he sets me down on my feet. “I was just coming to see if you were ready to eat or if I should pack it up for later.”

I sniff the air. “I could eat a horse right now. What did you make?”

“No horses, sorry, but we do have honey-baked carrots, chat potatoes, and fried chicken.”

My mouth waters as he leads me out into the kitchen.

On the far side of the room, the dining table blazes with candles, green wreaths, and sparkling silverware. Heat pads laid down the center hold dishes of casserole, potatoes, gravy, blanched broccolini sprinkled with almonds, baked tomatoes, and some mushrooms

“Wow. Is it Christmas or something?"

Jeremy throws me a grin that makes my heart flip-flop. “I know you said you’re not fussy, but I didn’t know exactly what you liked.” He leans both hands on the bench, shifting his weight off his bad leg. “Plus, it’s our first meal together. As a pack?” He says the word softly, his eyes begging for confirmation.

Bless his tender heart.