Page 49 of Knight With Benefits

I struggled to find a way to phrase what I wanted to say in a way that made sense without being insulting.

“That an alpha can soothe us even when we don’t want to be. Your chest starts vibrating, and suddenly everything is wrapped in fluff and doesn’t seem as important.”

Instead of laughing at me, he looked like he was considering my words before he responded.

“Biologically, it makes sense though. You’re wired to respond to it the same way we’re wired to use it. Yes, it can be used to manipulate you, and I’m not saying that’s okay, but it does have its purposes. Like now, so I can help ease your discomfort until my knot releases.”

Humming, I let my eyelids shut, enjoying the pressure of him covering me. It was like having a heated, weighted blanket, that vibrated. It was getting harder to resist drifting off with every minute that passed, even when he checked to see if he could pull free yet. My arms had loosened around him, but I tightened them and let out a low whine.

“No. Stay.”

I couldn’t open my eyes to look, but I felt his smile against my forehead as he brushed a kiss there.

“As you wish.”

It was the last thing I was aware of before my consciousness slipped away.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Carl

Having Gwyn fall asleep in my arms made the world take a whole new turn. I had already been aware of the pull between us and my bear claiming her as our omega, but having such a strong woman trust me enough to invite me into her nest and then ask me stay, and falling asleep with me, proving her trust…

I was done for.

Before that moment I’d have grieved if things took a turn and Gwyn was no longer in my life, but I’d have kept going.

After hearing her soft, sweet purr as she drifted off…

There would never be another woman for me. She could disappear that second, without our relationship ever having the chance to progress further, and I’d still never get over it. My bear might even go feral. I knew I had to do everything I could to protect her from her past, no matter what the risks were.

Once my knot loosened I rolled to the side, Gwyn keeping her arms locked around me so I couldn’t escape even if I’d wanted to. I knew the threat she faced was real, and it carried consequences for the Knights as well, but I couldn’t bring myself to pull away from her. I laid there, purring, soaking up the closeness I’d missed for so long, until somehow, I fell asleep too.

When I woke I knew I couldn’t have dozed off long since there was still sunlight shining through the window and Gwyn was still asleep. She’d finally lost her hold on me, rolling onto her back again with her arms flung wide, which was what must have woken me. It was a struggle to make myself ease away from her, but reminding myself that her safety as well as that of my brothers could rest on me informing them of what was going on won out over the desire to remain in her bed.

Alpha instinct drove me to fetch a glass of water to place on the nightstand, along with the lone, sad, spotted banana I found in the kitchen, before hunting down my jeans and the phone stuck in the pocket. Unable to resist, I was sliding back into her nest before the spot I’d left even grew cold.

She muttered in her sleep, sounding like she was scolding someone, until I tucked her against me and resumed my purr. Her features smoothed, and a soft smile played on her lips, but her eyes remained closed. I’d have been happy to stay there all night just watching her, but I had to settle for the feel of her against me as I unlocked my phone and opened my texts.

I could have typed the messages faster with two hands, or just called Sebastian instead, but I didn’t want to wake her from the rest she seemed to need, nor could I pull my other hand away from her silky flesh. My shaft laid thick between us, eager to be buried inside her again, but I did my best to ignore it as I informed Sebastian of the dangers that could come knocking right next to our favorite place.

Boss Man: “Are you going to claim her?”

Me: “Not yet. She’s not ready.”

Boss Man: “But she’s yours?”

Me: “Yes.”

It felt good to acknowledge it to someone else, even if I knew she’d deny it and have my head if she found out. One way or another, no matter how long it took, I’d convince Gwyn she was mine. Even if she never let me claim her, I couldn’t let her go.

Boss Man: “Any idea who her mate was?”

My bear growled in my chest, not liking anyone else being called her mate. That alpha may have claimed her at one point, binding her to him, but he hadn’t deserved her, and she was free now.

Me: “No.”

I hoped Gwyn would feel comfortable enough to open up to me one day, but I wasn’t going to pry. The story would likely enrage my bear anyway, but I’d listen if she ever wanted to talk.

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