Page 83 of Knot All that Glitters: Part 1

He holds out his arms, offering to take her from me, and I want to refuse, but he’s missed her too, maybe more than I have. I know his alpha is clawing at him to take care of the omega, the same way mine was the moment I saw her again. She murmurs something unintelligible as I pass her over, groaning slightly, but then settling once her face is pressed against Jude’s shirt.

Tic appears around the side of the car as Jude steps back, Haven’s bag in his hand. We lead the way inside, flicking off lights to keep the house dim, leaving just a side lamp on in the living room, where Hale is waiting with his arms crossed.

His icy blue eyes latch onto Haven as soon as she’s in the room, but he doesn’t reach for her, doesn’t touch her at all. Instead, he jerks his chin toward the stairs and all four of us make our way up them and into Haven’s room.

While Tic sets her bag in the closet, Jude carries her over to her bed and I pull back the covers. We position her in the center and don’t waste time stripping off clothes and joining her. Jude on one side, me on the other. Tic stretches out near her legs, his head resting on her hip, a throw blanket tossed over him.

Hale, the stubborn fucker, settles into the armchair, positioned to face the bed rather than trying to join us. If he wants to pretend he’s not as happy as the rest of us to have her back here, he’s welcome to. It just means the rest of us get to cuddle our girl more.

Haven murmurs softly and shifts between the three of us, settling deeper into sleep. With her faint pineapple and chiliscent lingering in my nose, and her lush little body pressed against mine, I tumble into sleep after her.

The next morning, Haven pads into the kitchen, freshly showered and wearing my black t-shirt. The one I was wearing last night, like she’d found it on the ground in her bedroom and decided to wear it because it soothed her.

I fucking love the sight of it, but I still stride over to her, reaching behind my head to yank the shirt off my back. She stares up at me with wide eyes as I efficiently strip her of the old shirt and pull the fresh one over her.

When I’m done, she smiles up at me with one brow cocked.

I shrug. “I enjoy seeing you in my clothes, baby girl, but I can give you fresh ones every morning.”

A pleased little purr sounds from her chest and she snuggles into me, arms wrapping around my waist at the same time mine wrap around her body, lifting her off the ground and carrying her over to slide her ass onto the kitchen island. “Hungry?” I ask, hands resting on her thighs. Thighs that are still covered in the bruises I’m trying not to lose my shit over.

It was bad enough last night, seeing them in the dim light, but now? When it’s full daylight and I can see the extent of what that asshole did to her? Yeah, my alpha is demanding retribution.

Haven’s fingers brush softly over my jaw, bringing my attention back to her face. She leans in and presses a gentle kiss to my mouth, one meant to calm me, soothe me. Her omega pheromones fill the air around us, not as strong as they would be if she wasn’t forced to take suppressants, but there all the same.

I lean my forehead on hers and inhale deeply. She kisses me again.

Then pulls back and strokes my cheek again, gray eyes soft, before a little smile curves her lips and she points at her stomach. It growls.

I laugh and, fuck, it’s amazing how quickly she can get my alpha under control. Without words. Just a few gentle touches and kisses and I’m a soft fucking kitten.

“What do you want to eat, baby girl?” I ask, fingers kneading her hips gently. I know there are parts of her body that are likely still tender, but I can’t stop touching her, not when she’s here in front of me after weeks apart.

Her head wobbles back and forth for a moment, then her lips part and my breath catches as I wait for her to speak. To say something. Only nothing comes out. Her brow wrinkles and then her face crumples as she remembers she can’t actually talk to me.

Fucking Frederick Bell.

I cup her cheeks and press a kiss to her forehead. “It’s okay. I can guess. Pancakes?”

Her cheeks plump under my palms as she grins at me and nods. “Bacon?” I ask. A shake of her head. “Ah, sausage then.” She nods. “Chocolate chips or strawberries?” A scowl.

“Both obviously,” Jude says, stumbling into the kitchen, still looking half asleep. Haven smiles at him as he climbs up onto the island and crawls across it to slide in behind her. He slouches against her back, arms wrapped around her, his face buried in her neck, yawning loudly. “Why are we up? It’s so early.”

Haven huffs a soundless laugh and picks up his hand, pressing a kiss to his palm. “It’s nine,” I say, stepping away from them to start breakfast.

He rubs his face against our girl’s neck, likely leaving his scent all over her. “Like I said,early.”

Tic comes in next, heading straight to our girl. He hums happily when he kisses her, cupping her cheek carefully. “Morning, angel.”

I know his gaze lingers on the bruising on her legs and arms, the same way mine did, but he does a better job of keeping his reaction in check. He’s always been good at that. Keeping his head. “I’m gonna melt him in fucking acid, I swear.”

Oh, maybe not.

Haven pats his cheek and leans up to kiss him again. Her stomach takes that time to growl again. He laughs, just like I did, then nods. “Alright, omega, I hear you. Let’s get some food in your belly.”

She nods, then leans into Jude, lacing their fingers together where they rest on her thighs.

As Tic comes over to eye what I’ve pulled out of the cupboards so far, Jude lifts their joined hands and peppers kisses over her knuckles, the tips of her fingers, her palm. “Why don’t you get started on the coffee and I’ll make the pancakes?”

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