Page 10 of Knot Enough

“You did a great job with that movie. Wish I could have started in a role. It was a shame my schedule never matched.” She laughed loudly. Sorren copied her action.

“It’s all good, Bridget. I’ll be sure to send you an offer for another role when I find one that suits you, " he replied, keeping a polite smile on his face.

“Could you? I’d love that.” I didn’t usually get jealous, but the moment Bridget touched Sorren’s arm, Gabriel and I tensed. My reaction made me curious, though it was not the time to be soul-searching when I wanted to kill another person. Gabriel’s scent slowly soured, and I could feel a similar emotion to what I was feeling coming in through the bond. Gabriel was usually more of the jealous type, and adding in the new element of scent matches, I’m sure it was way more difficult for him. Sorren, to his credit, moved his armaway instantly, but the damage had been done. Sorren continued on with the conversation before Bridget got called for by another woman. We all hurriedly left the room before we had to stop to talk to yet another person. Once we were out of the room and the stifling scents that surrounded us, Gabriel stopped walking. I let go of his hand, knowing he had something to do before we went further. The alphas looked at Gabriel curiously as he walked towards Sorren.

“Can I scent mark you?” Gabriel asked once he got inches away from Sorren. Sorren blinked in surprise before nodding.

“You never have to ask, scent mark away.” Sorren allowed with a smug look on his face. Gabriel rolled his eyes as he grabbed the arm Bridget touched. Gabriel closed his eyes, brought Sorren’s arm to his cheek, and rubbed his cheek on his arm. Sorren watched him silently with a look of affection and satisfaction. I rolled my eyes at how proud he was of Gabriel's scent marking him, but my heart clenched in sadness and envy. Sorren looked over at me with the smug smile still on his face.

“The offer extends to you, as well.” He said, wiggling his eyebrows and holding up his other hand. My face burned at the sudden attention. No one had shown any interest in me since Gabriel. Sorren's attention might as well be as foreign as a distant country. Gabriel rolled his eyes again and returned to me, holding me from behind. He laughed, and I could smell the sourness that plagued Gabriel’s scent melt away.

Afterwards, we all headed back to the house. No one asked me what set me off or what happened. I think they trusted me to tell them when I was ready which I was grateful for. Once we got home, Gabriel and I changed out of our clothes and into something more comfortable. We ate dinner with everyone else and ended up cuddling in the nest. This was the first time in a long time that I felt okay, happy even. With the alphas here, the happiness felt more, more than I could have imagined. Gabriel felt happy around them. I wasn't sure how far I wanted to go with Sorren, Finn, and Graham, but it was nice having people to look after us. It had been a long time since we had someone like that. Omegas needed that; we needed to know we were safe and protected, especially with a pack. I was glad the Beckett pack could be that for Gabriel.

Later that night, I woke up to find Gabriel gone. His side of the bed was still warm, so he must have left a short while ago. Feeling a little anxious about his absence, I decided to try to look for him. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes and grabbing my robe, I got up and headed to the bathroom to see if he was there. When I found it empty, I left to look outside our room. I reached the end of the hallway when I spotted Gabriel and Finn sitting outside on the porch. I watched the way they both talked and looked at each other. Gabriel was smiling, the smile he usually reserved for me and no one else. It was the kind of smile that let you know his attention was entirely on you and that you meant a lot to him. Finn’s gaze was wholly focused on Gabriel; he never wavered orlooked bored when Gabriel talked. It almost seemed that Finn was mesmerized with how the moon illuminated Gabriel’s body. I couldn’t blame him; the sightwasmesmerizing.

“Stalker. Enjoying the view?” A voice said from behind me. I jumped and nearly screamed if the mysterious figure who just startled me hadn’t covered my mouth. “Relax, it's just me.” The voice chuckled. I twisted my body around to find a ruffled-haired Sorren standing behind me.

“I wasn’t stalking them. I was just trying to find Gabriel. He was gone when I woke up.” I explained, pulling my robe tighter around me. Sorren’s smile softened, and he rustled my hair.

“You good now that you found him?” He asked, pulling his hand away. A part of me felt a little loss at Sorren’s retreating hand. Pushing that feeling away, I thought about Sorren’s question. I was relieved Gabriel was safe and happy and enjoying time with one of his mates, but I was starting to feel anxious being alone in a new house with strangers. “Do you want me to go get him?” Sorren asked.

I shook my head quickly. “No, please not. I don’t want to interrupt his time with Finn.” I said, looking back to glance at them for a few seconds. Sorren hummed low and slow.

“Do you want me to stay with you till Gabriel returns?” Sorren asked. I continued to watch Gabriel and Finn. At this point, Gabriel was straddling Finn’s lap.If he comes back.

“You don’t have to. I’m sure you have a busy day ahead of you. You should get some sleep while you can.” I said. I didn’t want to put Sorren out or trouble him.

“Nonsense, I don’t have to go in today. Besides, any gentleman worth his salt wouldn’t leave an innocent maiden alone in the streets at this time of night.” Sorren said, wiggling his eyebrows and bowing slightly.

“Since when was the hallway in your house the streets?” I questioned, rolling my eyes at his antics.

“First off, it’sourhouse now, and second, because I said so. Now, what will it be, princess?” He asked, holding his hand out. I looked at it and back at him. His face was full of warmth and patience. Whatever choice I made, he would accept it with grace.

“Okay,” I said with a soft voice. I walked past and guided him back to Gabriel and I’s bedroom. I opened the door and let Sorren inside. He looked around, but I highly doubted he could see anything in the dark.

“How’d you want to spend our time together?” He asked, keeping a little distance from me. I thought for a moment.

“We can watch a movie,” I said, taking the remote from the bedside table and turning the TV on.

“Sounds like fun. What are we watching?” He asked, following me to the bed. He waited for me to get comfortable before resting on the pillows and blankets. It made me less nervous that he decided not to use the blankets. I could have a larger barrier between him and I.

“A crime documentary. They are the best when I’m having trouble sleeping. Are you okay with that?” I asked before turning on a new one I had been planning to watch.

“I’ll have nightmares, but if it helps you, I’ll just sleep with my teddy bear tonight.” He teased. The light from the TV illuminated his face enough to show me that he winked. I laughed at his words.

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate the cuddles,” I replied.

“He does say I’m a good cuddler, " Sorren intoned. This time, my body warmed a little at the hidden suggestion. I wasn’t sure I was ready, but he didn’t push any further, and eventually, I ended up falling asleep in the middle of the documentary.

Chapter 5

Gabriel

Lydia was splayed across my chest and sleeping soundly. It had been such a long time since I watched her rest with a smile on her face. I brushed a strand of her hair gently out of her face to get a better view. The last time I saw such a peaceful look on her was when we sat under the stars and bit each other. It was the happiest day of my life. The girl I’d been pining for since the day she helped pick up my application to the institution. She was finally mine and would be that for as long as we both lived.

She had just been rejected by her scent matches after weeks of courting. She was a mess, hiding away from the world. Every day, she was getting better, slowly but surely. Being rejected was almost a death sentence for an omega. I couldn’t express how grateful I was that she was still here. Alive and breathing.

This pack was helping her just as much as it helped me. She needed them as much as I did. It will just take time to prove it to her. With that thought in mind, I slowly moved out from under her and headed out of the nest. I wouldn’t be long, but there was someone I needed to see.

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