Page 1 of Tying the Knot
ChapterOne
Morgan
Smiling,I wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. It’s my thirty-first birthday today, and I couldn’t be happier to be exactly where I am and who I’m with.
I lean over to pick up the mug of hot coffee, eyeing up the cupcake with a candle sticking out of it, thinking how sweet my alphas are for bringing me this to wake up to. The curtains have been pulled apart to show me the glorious cold winter morning in London.
The sun is shining, and the snow is sparkling off the rooves of the houses across the square. I climb out of bed and stretch my back before taking a sip of the gorgeous arabica bean coffee. I can't help but smile as I wonder where my alphas are. They’d better not be planning a surprise party for me this year. Last year was horrendous. I had no idea, and I was so shocked when everyone jumped out that I shrieked and tumbled over in my six-inch heels, breaking my ankle—way to celebrate your thirtieth.
Hopefully, everyone learned their lesson not to jump out at the omega with slight anxiety issues and social awkwardness levels that get worse the older I get.
I’ve always been shy, even as a child. I’m never the one to initiate conversations or be the centre of attention. I’m happy just being in the background and observing, far more comfortable being a listener rather than a talker.
I flick my long, blonde hair over my shoulder and blink my green eyes as I take in the beauty of my bedroom. In the middle of the room is a huge, gorgeous bed with white sheets and a fluffy comforter, plus mountains of pillows. The walls are also white, and there are several large windows that let in natural light. The floor is carpeted in a soft white, plush material. There is a fireplace in one corner and a television in another. The room is spacious and inviting, and it feels like a place where anything is possible. I remove the candle from the cupcake and pick it up. With my coffee in one hand and the cake in the other, I cross over to the window to stare out over the exclusive London suburb of Kensington, marvelling at the picturesque view.
It's mid-morning, and the sky is clear blue. The sun is a bright yellow disc sitting low on the horizon. There's a sharp frost in the air, and the ground is covered in a white blanket of ice. The trees are bare. The air is still, and there's a feeling of peace and calm which washes over me, adding to my contentment and perfect happiness.
Turning from the window, I finish off the cupcake and take another sip of coffee before I head down to the kitchen. The five of us live in a big six-bedroom mansion that I’ve spent years decorating and perfecting to just the way I want it. I’ve been mated to my alphas for nearly eight years now. I can’t believe how much time has flown by. We want to start a family, but it hasn’t happened so far, which is disappointing for them and me. I don’t want to worry about it today of all days, so I push it aside as I take the wooden stairs carefully so I don’t spill my coffee.
The kitchen is one of my favourite rooms. It’s clean and modern. There is a huge, stainless-steel fridge. The countertops are made of white marble, and the backsplash is a mosaic of glass tiles in shades of blue. The floors are polished Italian tiles, and recessed lights are in the ceiling. It is large and open, and there is a big island in the middle with plenty of storage.
I adore it.
When I don’t encounter anyone on the way or in the kitchen, I frown. Placing the cup down, I make my way through the thickly carpeted entrance hall to Adam’s study. I hear the prime alpha’s voice clip through the air sharply, which means he is in a mood about something. I hesitate and chew the inside of my lip, wondering if I should approach. I’m not usually so timid around him, but lately, he has been getting into some really dark tempers, which scare me and cause conflict that I really hate so much. My hands start to shake. I know he would never hurt me physically, but words can hurt as well. I’d hoped today he would be happy and leave whatever business drama that seems to crop up a lot lately, outside.
“Morgan,” he snaps.
I cringe. He must’ve caught my scent lingering in the air.
I plaster a smile on my face and stick my head around the door. “Hi.”
He smiles, perfectly charming and gorgeous. “Happy birthday, precious,” he says, crossing over and kissing me. His dark eyes are full of nothing but love, and I relax. I know it’s silly being nervous around him. He loves me; it’s just that things are tough for him right now. The cost of everything has soared, and he has this huge house and grounds, plus the staff, to think about. It must be really stressful for him and the other alphas.
“Thanks,” I murmur, looking up at him.
Alfie, Rich and Pierce surround me, kissing me and wishing me happy birthday. I feel loved and happy, and all the negative thoughts vanish from my mind.
“After last year, we have decided to do things a bit differently today,” Adam says, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles broadly.
“Hmm. No surprises.”
“No, instead, we are taking you to dinner at Castello’s, your favourite ever place, where you can eat yourself into a coma before we fill you up with cake and…other things…” His tone goes seductive, which sends a thrill over my skin.
“Yay!” I say, clapping my hands in delight. “This is going to be a night to remember.” I absolutely love Castello’s Italian restaurant. They make the best lasagne in the whole world, and it’s one dish I could eat every day, forever.
“It sure is,” Pierce says, wrapping his arms around me tightly. “We have stuff to do before then, so have a nice relaxing day, have a swim in the pool and a nice hot bubble bath, and then we’ll leave at six.”
“Sounds like heaven.”
“You are heaven,” he purrs, the most charming one of the lot.
I giggle, and with kisses to Alfie and Rich, I slink off, feeling their eyes on my curves as I walk away.
ChapterTwo
Elijah
“Hey,”Dylan says, marching into the big farmhouse kitchen in the five-bedroom house our pack owns in Shoreditch. His short dark hair is all bedhead messy. “Happy birthday.”
