Page 137 of Knot So Lucky
"You have no idea," I grumble, but I'm smiling as I stand. "Aurora is... demanding."
"I noticed." There's heat in Elias's voice, memories of whatever he experienced during the heat bleeding through. "But also generous. And creative. And?—"
"Okay, we're not doing this." I hold up a hand, cutting him off. "Not comparing notes about our blooming sex life with Aurora while I can barely walk."
"Fair." Elias heads for the door, then pauses to look back at me. "But just so you know, you made her really happy. The claiming, the care, all of it. She felt safe with you present, which made all of this a lot easier than it would have been without you."
The words hit harder than expected, making my chest tight with emotions I don't have names for.
Because that's what I wanted.
What I've always wanted, even when our relationship was too toxic and complicated to admit it.
I wanted Aurora to feel safe with me.
To trust me enough to be vulnerable.
To choose me when her biology demanded she establish pack bonds.
And she did.
She chose me first.
"Thanks," I manage, voice rougher than intended.
Elias just nods and leaves, footsteps fading down the hallway toward whatever chaos is probably brewing downstairs.
I pause in front of the mirror on the dresser, taking stock of my reflection.
I look like hell.
Dark circles under my eyes, five days of stubble that's approaching actual beard territory, healing scratches visible above my collar. The claiming mark on my neck is still prominent—a perfect impression of teeth that won't fade for weeks, marking me as Aurora's in ways no one can miss.
But underneath the exhaustion and damage, there's something else.
Satisfaction.
Deep, bone-level satisfaction that has nothing to do with physical pleasure and everything to do with finally having something I didn't know I was missing.
This is going to be a tricky competition.
The Formula One entry races are brutal under normal circumstances—demanding every ounce of skill and strategy, and nerve. Adding pack dynamics and public scrutiny, and the constant need to protect Aurora's secret?
It should be overwhelming…
Make me want to walk away, to protect my career and sanity by removing myself from this increasingly complicated situation.
Instead, I feel this satisfied wholeness that's unexplainable but makes me excited.
Like all the pieces of my life that were scattered and disconnected, they have suddenly clicked into place. Like I finally understand what I've been chasing all these years—not just racing glory or championship titles, butthis.
Connection. Pack. Belonging.
It's odd, but empowering.
CHAPTER 26
Aftermath And Revelations
