Page 85 of Knot All that Glitters: Part 1

I think they’re tired of it though, almost as much as I am.

This morning I walk in on a hissed argument between Hale and Creed, kept low, I suspect, so that I won’t hear it. “We’re not doing that to her,” Creed says in a warning tone. His hand jerks toward the stairs and my room at the top of them. “She’s been through enough. We don’t have to make it worse, Hale.”

Hale stared at him for a long moment, then nodded. “I know. We won’t. She doesn’t need to know.”

Creed had been gearing up for a fight. I can tell by the tense set of his shoulders and the clench of his fists. But at Hale’s agreement, he pauses, looks at him for a long moment. “You mean it?”

Hale runs a hand over his face wearily and everything in me wants to go to him, to help ease whatever he’s worried about. Probably my father did something assholish and they don’t want to let me know.

“Yeah, I fucking mean it. I’m not a monster, Creed. I know she’s been through too much, that she doesn’t deserve worse.”

Creed lunges at Hale and wraps him in a tight hug, slapping a hand on his back in the way men do when they get too emotional and need to temper it with something manly. “Thank you,” Creed murmurs.

“But,” Hale says gruffly as the other alpha pulls back. “I still think we should bark at her.”

That makes the blood drain from my face, and Creed is back to bristling with anger. Hale holds up a hand to stall the tirade I know is about to come. “Think about it, Creed. If I barked at her to talk to us, it would likely override her father’s command.”

“Or it could fuck her up by giving her contradictory commands.” Creed gives a sharp shake of his head. “Didn’t wejust say she’s been through e-fucking-nough? We can’t add to her trauma, Hale. The commands from her father will fade, eventually. The longer we keep her away from him, the better the chances.”

Hale lets out another weary breath. “I know. I just… I miss her fucking voice.”

My chest warms up, blood returns to my face as his admission. Creed claps a hand on his shoulder. “We all do, brother, but she’ll come back to us, all of her. Even her voice.”

The fight over and the tension dissipated, I move away from Hale’s office door, only for the floorboard to creak. Both of their heads whip in my direction, even as I duck out of the way. Ridiculous, since they know I’m there.

“Listening at keyholes, little mouse?”

Sighing, I push through the door and glare at the prime, who just chuckles and holds a hand out to me in invitation. I go to him all too willingly, tucking myself against his chest as he wraps me in his arms, his cheek rubbing over the top of my hair, leaving his scent on me.

“Did you need something?” he asks.

I shake my head and press closer to him, dropping a kiss on his chest.

It’s a lie. I do need something. I needthem. But they’ve been careful with me since taking me from my father’s house, tucked me up in the guest room. They sleep with me, but it’s always very PG cuddling. No wandering hands. No stroking. No petting. No kissing with tongue. At first I understood it was to allow me time to heal, but my bruises have faded, the welts on my back are gone. Nothing hurts anymore, but they haven’t touched me beyond gentle hugs and cuddling on the couch.

Both of which are nice, but I want more.

I’m just not sure how to ask for it.

Hale coils my hair around his hand and tugs gently, tipping my head back. I rest my chin on his chest and peer up at him. “Tell me.”

My lips purse and I arch a brow at him.

He laughs and twists, looking down at his desk. But Creed is already there, scooping up a pad of paper and a pen to hand to me. Thank god we can communicate like this at least.

I take the items offered and slap the pad of paper to Hale’s chest before scribbling out a message. They both wait patiently, the sound of pen on paper the only noise in the room.

I appreciate that you’ve all been giving me time to heal, both mentally and physically, but I miss the way we were.

Hale reads it out loud for Creed to hear as well, then looks at me. “The way we were?”

I huff a frustrated breath. In true Hale fashion, he’s going to make me say it.None of you touch me anymore. Not like you used to.

A cocky little smirk pulls at his mouth. “How should we be touching you, mouse? Hmm?”

My face flares bright red. I shove the notebook and the pen against his chest and back up, flipping him the bird. I don’t need this. He knows what I’m saying, what I’m asking for. They both do, but they’re assholes and like to see me squirm and beg.

“Wait, Haven.” The smirk on Hale’s face falls as I keep backing toward the door. Only to run into Creed instead. His hands brace my hips, hold me in place as Hale tosses the notebook on the desk and stalks toward me. Lips press into the back of my head as the prime strokes a knuckle down my cheek gently. “You sure you’re ready for it, mouse?”

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