Page 88 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

"Protection?" Serenity repeated.

"Other alphas," Lucian explained, leaning forward. "If they detect our scents on you, intermingled with yours in a way that suggests pack bonds?—"

"They'll think twice before making a move on what they perceive as claimed territory," Darius finished.

Serenity bristled. "I'm not territory."

"To some, you are," Ronan said bluntly. "You're the Vale heir. An unmated omega with billions at her disposal. You're a fucking prize to be won, Serenity."

His harsh words landed like a slap, but she couldn't deny their truth.

"What Ronan means," Darius said with a pointed glare at his counterpart, "is that this is practical. Nothing more."

"Unless you want it to be," Lucian added with a subtle smirk that made her pulse quicken.

Serenity studied each of them in turn. Darius, proper and controlled, his concern evident in the tight set of his shoulders. Lucian, calculating as always, watching her reaction with those intelligent eyes. And Ronan, brutally honest yet somehow the most straightforward of the three.

"How would this work?" she asked finally.

"We each contribute something carrying our scent," Darius explained. "A shirt, a blanket—anything that's been in close contact with us."

"You arrange them however feels right to you," Lucian continued. "It's your nest, your space."

"No one enters without your explicit permission," Ronan added firmly. "That's the rule."

The concept was oddly appealing—a space that was hers alone, yet carried the protective presence of the three alphas who'd somehow become her unlikely allies.

"Alright," she said. "I'll try it."

Something shifted in the air between them—a tension releasing, replaced by something warmer.

"I'll get you something," Darius said, standing and heading toward his wing.

Lucian and Ronan followed suit, each disappearing briefly to their respective domains.

Serenity remained on the couch, trying to process the strange turn the evening had taken. This wasn't a commitment, she reminded herself. This was strategy—another layer of protection in a world determined to devour her.

When they returned, each carried something different. Darius offered a cashmere sweater, folded with precise corners. Lucian presented a silk pillowcase, clearly expensive. Ronan held out a worn leather jacket that looked like it had seen better days.

"These should do for now," Darius said. "We can add more if needed."

Serenity took each item carefully, trying to ignore the way her omega instincts responded to the concentrated alpha scents. Each smelled distinctly of its owner—Darius's clean, spiced cologne; Lucian's subtle sandalwood; Ronan's earthy, raw musk.

"Thank you," she managed, clutching the items to her chest. "This is... unexpected."

"Many things about pack life will be," Lucian observed. "But not all of them unpleasant."

The promise in his voice made something flutter in her stomach, but she pushed the feeling aside. This wasn't official—wouldn't be until she decided it was. And right now, despite the pull she felt toward each of them for different reasons, she wasn't ready to make that choice.

"I should go," she said, suddenly desperate for solitude to sort through the chaotic emotions swirling inside her. "It's been a long day, and I'm tired."

Whether they sensed her need for space or simply respected her words, all three alphas nodded.

"Rest well," Darius said.

"We'll talk more tomorrow," Lucian added.

Ronan simply held her gaze for a beat longer than necessary, his expression unreadable.

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