Page 45 of Knot All that Glitters: Part 1

I sincerely hope she’s alive and well somewhere overseas, living her best life, maybe in love with someone new. Maybe with a new family.

I only wish she’d taken me with her.

But I can understand why she didn’t.

“What’s her name?” Tic asks.

“Elise.” Her name comes out a little choked. I don’t say it all that often. Why would I? Unless a journalist asks my father about her, he never talks about his wife. “Elise Berocto.”

The four of them exchange a look that I don’t understand, and then Hale nudges my plate with one of his thick fingers. “You should eat more.”

I should, but I don’t think I can. Talking about my mother is never easy, even after sixteen years. For all intents and purposes, she abandoned me, left me so easily when she left my father.

Now my stomach is all tied in knots and the pizza I’d managed to eat before this line of questioning is sitting like a brick in my guts.

I leave the slice where it is and look up at the Calloway pack. “What about you? What are your families like?”

“Not worth talking about,” Hale brushes off my question. Disappointment sinks its teeth in.

“Do you not like the pizza?” Tic asks, brow furrowed, eyes on my plate. “Do you want me to order you something else?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s delicious. I just-” I don’t want to tell them that talking about my mother messed with my hunger. The last thing I want is for them to feel bad about it. “I’m stuffed, if I’m honest. I don’t usually eat a lot.”

It’s the truth. In order to battle my body’s natural curvaceousness, I’ve been ordered to limit my calorie intake. It’s not an actual command, but a nutritionist who is paid to keep me skinny prepares all my meals.

“You only had one slice.” Creed points out. “You’re too thin. You should eat more.”

I can’t tell if he’s being caring or insulting. Based on our interactions so far, I think it’s the latter.

“Don’t you know it’s rude to comment on how much a lady eats and her weight?”

Tic reaches across the table and squeezes my fingers. “We’re just trying to take care of you, angel. It’s what alphas do.”

I deflate somewhat at his gentle tone. “I appreciate that.”

“Can you eat one more slice for us, mouse?” They’re all looking at me expectantly, making my stomach twist even more.

“I really am full.”

“That’s impossible, bellybutton. One slice is not enough to fill up anyone. I’ve had five.”

Five.Jesus, where does he put it all? His stomach is still flat and rippling with muscle. I know this because Jude smirks and pulls up his shirt to show off all those abs, patting them to draw my attention to them. “I’m a growing boy. Need the sustenance.”

There is no stopping my eye roll, even as my face flushes bright red. Not with embarrassment. Oh no, with arousal. Because, good god, I want to lick every single ridge on his stomach, his chest. Probably his entire body.

“Put your shirt down,” Creed growls at him. Jude laughs as he does, and I can’t stop the sound of disappointment I make. Tiny, but audible.

Jude’s smile grows. “Don’t worry, button. I’ll walk around shirtless at home.”

Hale mutters something under his breath I can’t make out and then tugs my chair closer to his. I squeal as he lifts me onto his lap, holding me against his chest. One of his big hands slips under the hem of my hoodie, splaying over the skin of my belly, the soft curve there. The other he uses to drag my plate in front of us, then he lifts the slice of pizza and holds it to my lips.

“Eat, omega.” It’s not a command, more like a gentle urging. One that makes mewantto listen to him. But still I hesitate. Sitting on his lap, inhaling his scent, helps, but my insides are still knotted.

“Just one more slice, angel,” Tic assures me.

“If we can get you to eat two more, we will,” Creed grumbles.

Jude arches his brows at me, his smile firmly in place and so encouraging. Hale’s fingers stroke back and forth over my skin, tracing patterns, unknowingly untangling the mess inside me with every caress.

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