Page 118 of Knot What She Seems
Or at least, I don’t think I do. It’s hard to tell for sure. I’ve been conditioned to fear most alphas, but these men aren’t like any I’ve met before. They’re fierce, terrifying, and insanely protective…but they’re also soft and gentle. They make me smile, even when I want to cry. They make me laugh, when I once thought I never would again. They make me yearn for more, when I gave up on a happily ever after years ago.
I still can’t decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
I desperately want to get Teddie’s opinion on all of this, but he’s still recovering. Caran assures me he’s doing better, but it’s hard when I can’t see my twin with my own two eyes. I hate the way we left things between us.
Maybe I shouldn’t have gone behind his back the way I did and talked to Mom, but what else was I supposed to do? My brother is dying, and if we don’t do something soon, then?—
I slam a wall down on that thought, refusing to even voice it internally. Doing so will make it all the more real.
Teddie will not die.
I won’t allow it.
If I have to break into Nóthos myself to find a cure, then so be it.
Steely determination bolsters my resolve as I run through a series of defensive maneuvers Ridge is teaching us.
He stands at the front of the gymnasium, looking unfairly gorgeous in a pair of gray sweatpants and a black tank. The muscles of his forearms capture my attention more times than I care to admit.
Luka and Kylian meander through the lined up soldiers, offering corrections and advice when needed. The former wears a tight-fitted T-shirt and matching black sweats. I’ve never seen him in such casual clothes before, and it makes me wonder what he actually has in his closet. I’m almost desperate to know, which is insane. I shouldn’t want to knowanythingabout him, let alone if he wears T-shirts often or not.
This just proves my point—I’m losing my mind around these guys.
Kylian is shirtless, which just isn’t fair. I’m already having difficulty concentrating as it is, and all of that dark, tattooed skin on display is making my mind run in the complete opposite direction of my body, which is attempting to perform two uppercuts followed by a sidekick.
I watch as Kylian stops beside an alpha and places his hands on the other man’s shoulders in an attempt to fix his stance.
A strange red tint engulfs my vision. I can practically sense steam emanating from my ears.
I feel…jealous.
Jealous and angry and infuriated that my mate is touching someone else when I’m in the room.
I’ve never had such a visceral reaction before—not with my exes.
Calm the fuck down, Brylee!I mentally chastise myself, ripping my gaze away and focusing on the front of the room.
This is exactly why I need to keep my distance from them. I’m beginning to lose my damn mind whenever they’re in the same room as me.
“Good job, everyone,” Ridge says, folding his arms over his chest. Despite his praise, the scowl on his face is harsh, a slash. “Take five.”
All of the alphas surrounding me let out sighs of relief and move toward the bleachers where we stashed our bags at the beginning of class.
Sam falls into step with me as soon as I grab my water bottle.
“Hey.” Sweaty hair flops across his forehead, and he irritatedly brushes it away with the back of his hand. “How are you holding up?”
“Well, I’m pretty sure I lost feeling in both of my legs when we had to do that hour of conditioning, but other than that? Just peachy,” I tell him as I plop on the bleacher bench and chug down my water.
Sam nods and moves to sit beside me. I notice he’s been doing that a lot lately. Ever since I saved his life, he’s been following me around like a besotted puppy. A part of me worries he’s developed a little hero crush, but when I awkwardly brought it up, Sam looked horrified and told me that he’s just grateful I’m his friend. Not really buying it, but whatever. I like Sam, even if it’s not inthatway.
The two of us sit in companionable silence as we both struggle to get our breathing under control.
“So…” Sam shifts his weight and clears his throat. “How’s the…uhhh…secret going?” He doesn’t even bother to lower his voice to a whisper.
I swear the boy has the subtlety of a ram in a china shop.
“Sam,” I chastise, giving him a disapproving stare.
