Page 66 of Knot Ruined

Before either of us can fully panic, Fallon sighs softly, clearly unconcerned by Romano’s concern. Instead, she buries her face in his chest, breathing deeply, her voice dropping to a gentle purr that does wicked things to my pulse.

“Mm, you smell so good right now,” she murmurs, inhaling deeply, rubbing her cheek affectionately against his chest. Her eyes flutter closed as if savoring something irresistible. “God, I could just…lick you.”

Romano’s eyes instantly snap to mine, widening in alarm as understanding dawns. Fuck. His fingers tighten slightly on Fallon’s waist, holding her as if afraid she’ll slip through his grasp. Panic and excitement flash through his gaze simultaneously.

“Uh, Kingston,” he says slowly, carefully, every muscle visibly tensed. His voice holds a strained edge. “Maybe we should call the others. Like—now.”

My heart immediately races, a surge of adrenaline flooding through me, equal parts dread and anticipation. “What’s happening?” I ask, voice rougher than I intended, already pulling my phone from my pocket. Voss and Jace are still outtracking down Marline, hunting leads that have kept them out since early morning. My fingers type rapidly, sending urgent messages demanding they return immediately.

Romano swallows visibly, his grip firm but gentle as he holds Fallon steady. He meets my gaze directly, unspoken meaning passing between us in an instant. His words confirm the suspicion that had already begun to stir deep inside me.

“She’s going into heat.”

A sharp wave of heat slams through my chest, stealing the breath from my lungs as Romano’s words sink in. Fallon is going into heat.

I grip the edge of the marble countertop so hard my knuckles turn white. The reality hit me like a freight train. Fallon sits perched on the edge of the stool, her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, eyes wide and glazed with an innocent confusion she doesn’t yet fully grasp. Her sweet, luscious scent of honeyed peaches—suddenly floods the kitchen, growing stronger by the second, wrapping around me like a vice. My cock instantly throbs, painfully rigid beneath my slacks.

“Fuck,” I growl softly, dragging in ragged breaths, fighting to maintain some shred of control. She shifts slightly, completely oblivious to how precarious my control has become, looking utterly enticing with her messy blue hair and flushed cheeks. The sight of her glassy, heated eyes makes my hands twitch at my sides, the primal urge to claim her, protect her, and knot her nearly overwhelming me.

She giggles softly, pressing her face into Romano’s chest again, breathing him in deeply with a dreamy sigh. Her eyes flutter closed, expression blissful, utterly unaware of the frantic, desperate energy vibrating through the room.

“You smell so good, Rom,” she murmurs sweetly, her voice edged with a sleepy sensuality that sends another shot of lust straight down my spine. Romano’s wide eyes meet mine again, panic and excitement warring openly on his face as he tries—and fails—to mask his reaction.

“Kingston…” he choked out urgently, his voice low and strained, a mixture of panic and eagerness dancing behind his eyes. “Seriously. Get Voss and Jace back here now.”

My pulse pounds furiously, blood roaring through my veins as I try to get my head on straight. “Fuck, right,” I grunt, turning sharply to rummage frantically through the cabinets, mentally cataloging everything we’ll need—water, high-calorie snacks, nutrient-rich drinks, painkillers for the aches I know will follow, everything that might keep our omega comfortable during what will probably be an intense heat. My mind spins, worry clawing beneath my excitement.

“Romano,” I say, forcing authority into my voice despite the hoarseness betraying my own frantic anticipation, “Take her upstairs. Have her start setting up her nest—clothes, pillows, anything she needs. Keep her comfortable. I’ll handle supplies.”

Romano nods swiftly, relief flashing briefly across his face at being given a clear direction. He gently sweeps Fallon into his arms, and she laughs delightedly, looping her arms around his neck. My heart squeezes painfully in my chest at the sight—fuck, she’s perfect, beautiful, mine. Ours.

My hand shakes slightly as I grab my phone, urgently sending off messages to Voss and Jace, barely coherent through my trembling fingers. Seconds feel like hours before a reply vibrates in my palm.

Voss’s response makes me snort, even through the fog of adrenaline and need:

On our way. Do NOT start without me.

Jace follows swiftly after, more serious but just as urgent:

Ten minutes out. Make sure she’s okay.

I exhale roughly, relief flooding through my chest as I set the phone aside, quickly placing orders for water, nutrient-rich drinks, snacks, and anything else I can think of. My mind races, my heart hammering with equal parts excitement and anxiety.

This is our omega’s first heat—and our first heat as a pack. None of us have done this before. It’s uncharted territory, something that would normally terrify me. But I know we’ll do whatever it takes to get her through this. We’ll learn together and fumble through it if we have to because the alternative is unthinkable.

Fallon is ours. We’ve fought for her, bled for her, would die for her. And now, we will care for her in the most primal way, proving that we are worthy of the precious gift fate gave us.

I grab my phone again, ordering snacks, bottled water, nutrient-rich drinks, and a stack of towels. The frantic pounding of my heart eases a bit once everything is handled. We can do this.

Jace

May 2nd

11:01 A.M

The front door crashes open with enough force to shake the walls, announcing our arrival louder than necessary. Voss nearly takes the damn thing off its hinges in his rush to get inside. I’m barely a step behind him, chest heaving from sprinting from the driveway. Kingston’s in the kitchen, tense as hell, looking like he just survived an apocalypse. His hair’s a mess from nervously tugging at it.

“Where the fuck is she?” Voss demands, his voice a low, frantic growl. He’s practically vibrating, ready to bolt upstairs and kick down doors until he finds Fallon. He looks ready to tear apart anything—or anyone—standing between him and Fallon. Hell, I wouldn’t get in his way right now either.

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