Page 21 of Knot Broken

And if it takes a dozen pastel nightmares to build her the nest of her dreams?

Then I’ll burn every credit I have and start all over again.

The furniture aisle is practically a warehouse on its own. Every type of couch, chair, and bed frame imaginable is laid out for display. Sleek, modern pieces right next to antique-looking monstrosities, and a few things that look too fluffy to be real.

But then I see it—the holy grail of nesting furniture.

A massive hanging bed, suspended by thick, sturdy ropes attached to a beautiful dark wood frame. It’s big enough to sprawl out on with plenty of room to spare. My fingers itch just looking at it, my mind already whirling with ideas of how to decorate it.

Dare watches me with an amused tilt to his lips. “Guessing you like that one?”

“Like it?” I say, eyes sparkling as I trace the sleek lines of the frame with my fingers. “I need it. It’s practically begging me to make the best nest ever.”

He chuckles. “Alright, let’s get someone over here to scan the barcode. Wouldn’t want anyone else snatching it up.”

I wave him off. “This is the display.” I laugh. “No one else is going to drag a massive hanging bed home. And besides…”I waggle my eyebrows at him. “It swings. Can you imagine the kind of fun we could have on something like this?”

Dare’s eyes darken, a slow, wicked grin spreading across his face. “Now you’re just trying to kill me.”

“Maybe a little,” I admit, laughing when his expression turns downright predatory.

By the time the sales associate wanders over to scan the tag, Dare and I are already cackling like idiots. And when Fox and Jex catch up with us, they exchange looks that are half exasperation, half curiosity.

“You guys done flirting, or do you actually plan on picking out more stuff?” Fox asks dryly, though the smirk tugging at his lips says he’s anything but annoyed.

“Just getting started,” I say, popping my hip and throwing him a wink. “That giant swinging bed? It’s coming home with us. And I’m not even sorry.”

Jex’s eyebrows shoot up, but he just nods like he’s already prepared to toss it over his shoulder and haul it out of here if that’s what I want. The possessive gleam in his eyes makes my stomach do funny little flips.

“Alright,” Dare says, giving my hand a tug. “What’s next, Violet?”

I drag them deeper into the furniture section, chattering excitedly as I pick out a luxurious, dark purple velvet couch and a couple of oversized armchairs. Something about the deep, rich color feels right. It feels like me.

Jex orders the chairs and couch without hesitation, his phone out and tapping away at the logistics like the perfect overprotective Alpha he is. Meanwhile, Fox trails along behindme, tossing in the occasional sarcastic comment when I hold up something especially extravagant.

But none of them try to stop me. None of them tell me to slow down or pick something simpler or cheaper. They watch me, indulgent and patient, like this is exactly where they want to be.

Eventually, we make it to the sheet and blanket aisle, and my heart soars. Piles and piles of fluff. Soft, luxurious fabrics everywhere, just waiting to be touched.

“Alright, gentlemen,” I announce with a grin, rubbing my hands together like a cartoon villain. “Now’s the time to fear for your wallets because I am about to go feral.”

Jex lets out a deep, rumbling laugh. “You get whatever you want, sweetheart. Make it perfect.”

“Oh, I intend to.” My tone is pure sass, and I know they’re all eating it up by the way their gazes follow me.

This feels... good. Like something is starting to settle into place. And if I have to take the first steps toward building a nest with them, well, I’m going to enjoy the hell out of it.

I pause at the entrance to the sheets-and-blankets aisle, feeling a rush of excitement immediately followed by a pang of guilt. This store is pure Omega paradise—aisles filled with lush, luxurious bedding, pillows stacked so high they might avalanche at any moment, and a rainbow of soft fabrics begging to be touched. I glance back at the cart Jex is pushing, and bite my lip anxiously.

“Guys, we don’t have to do all this today. I mean, this is… a lot.” I gesture vaguely at the overflowing cart. “Maybe we should just get a couple things for now. You know, keep it simple.”

Fox snorts softly, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans casually against a shelf lined with thick fleece blankets. “Nice try, doll, but simple was never really our style.”

Dare gently nudges my shoulder, leaning close enough that his warm scent wraps around me. “Nope. Not backing down.”

Jex’s voice is a deep rumble behind me. “Violet.” The way he says my name makes me feel like a teenager in trouble again.

My heart does that traitorous fluttering thing again, warmth blooming in my chest. For once, the stubborn part of me doesn’t want to argue. But still, guilt niggles at the back of my mind.

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