Page 93 of Knot The Only Onee
"The copper-haired one is Simon, and the blond is Elias. They're good friends of ours." I signaled over my shoulder at the guys, and they waved their hello's.
Mav practically growled out a greeting as he held the door to the house open. “Get inside, and we can talk about the property damage. I have a feeling I know exactly who caused it.”
CHAPTER44
Lucas
Isipped on my iced coffee as Alena and Bridget animatedly discussed some show they were both watching. My mind was otherwise occupied thinking about Noah and James going to visit Cedar Hills.
I was worried.
And the anxiety was making me bitter and on edge.
It was a feeling I despised. I felt out of control, and there was no way to stop it.
“Lucas?” Bridget said my name softly as she laid her hand on my bicep. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, plastering on a fake smile that I'm sure she could see straight through.
Sure enough, she cocked her head to the side and gave me a look that pierced through my heart better than any arrow could.
"I'm gonna go back over and take a nap." Alena rose from the couch, sensing the tension in the room. Gods, I was thankful she was so intuitive. She yawned, an over-animated gesture that started off as a rouse but then turned real. Her eyes grew heavy, and she blinked slowly. "Xavier, Julian. I could really use just an hour to lie down."
Xavier's brow furrowed, and he scooped Alena up in his arms. "You okay, Princess?"
Alena nodded and laid her hand over his chest. "Yeah, just need a bit of rest." She turned to us with a bright smile. "Get some rest too. I'm sure everything is fine with Noah and James. Okay?"
I ground my teeth together but nodded at her. "Dinner around six?" Because, of course, that was the one thing I'd concentrate on—food.
"Sounds good, but Lucas. Don't go all out on account of us. We'd be happy with ordering pizza or takeout."
She was sweet to care, but the kitchen was the one place I could let everything go and just concentrate on cooking. It didn't matter what was happening in the world around me; when I was cooking, I was free of all the burdens, and could just let go. Feeding people brought me great joy. Watching their faces light up made my heart sing.
I shook my head. “You know I love cooking.” That was an understatement, but I’m sure Bridget would get the sentiment.
Bridget’s face softened, and Alena and the guys said their goodbyes before disappearing to their cabin.
My omega stood on her tip-toes and framed my face between her soft hands. “You don’t have to be so selfless, Lucas, and you don’t need to pretend with us.”
My eyes fluttered shut. “I’m just worried about everything,” I confessed quietly. “And I hate feeling as if I’m helpless and unable to do anything.”
Bridget shook her head adamantly. “You help just by being you. Your spirit is infectious, and your food heals."
I brushed a strand of hair away from her face before pressing my forehead against hers. "Logically, I know all of that." I closed my eyes and just savored her scent for a moment. "James is an alpha now. I'm still a beta. How will things move forward? Ya know? I'm just feeling lost."
The confession was burning in the back of my mind for days. Was I good enough for the three of them now that I was the only beta?
Bridget tangled her fingers in my hair. She tugged at the strands, the sharp bite of pain bringing me back into the present. "Listen to me, Lucas. You are just as vital in our pack as the rest of us. My love for you is just as strong as it is for Noah and James. You're a package deal. There is no one without the others. Do you get me?"
I loved this feisty side of her that was emerging more and more often as she came out of her shell.
"Yes, darlin'." I kissed her gently, barely brushing my lips over hers. Heat flared to life between us, and I deepened the kiss. Her hands clenched tighter in my hair, and I groaned in approval. Without rational thought, I scooped her into my arms and carried her upstairs. "We have a while before the guys are back, and I don't have to start cooking for a while."
She giggled as I tossed her onto the bed. "I know of a great way for us to pass the time."
Heat flared to life in her bright eyes, and I pulled my shirt off over my head and prowled toward her. "I like the sound of that." I made quick work of ridding her of her clothes, then my own, and draping my body over hers. I kissed her deeply, our tongues dancing in a primal rhythm as my hands traced over every inch of her curves.
"Is this what you had in mind?" I rasped as I trailed kisses down her jaw and neck.
