Page 136 of Knot for Me
I glance down and pull in a shaky breath. I needed them to know I’m not upset about her. I needed her to know I’m not jealous. I needed her to know that no matter what happens between me and the guys, Emily will always be respected. I would never be able to live with myself if I envied her.
Marco wraps his arm around my middle. “You’re perfect,” he whispers, kissing the side of my head.
Lucas and Cory step closer, cocooning me in a big group hug. They hold on to me long enough that I start to feel ridiculous. My heart squeezes in my chest and it almost feels wrong to be this happy in a graveyard. I guess that’s a sign it’s time to go.
“Okay,” I say with a laugh, wiping my damp cheeks. “Now I’m hungry.”
“Good, because we have a surprise for you.” Cory comes in for a kiss. “We’re going to be late.”
“Late to what?” I ask.
“You’ll see,” Lucas says, taking the keys from my hand. “I’ll drive.”
“I thought we were abolishing the patriarchy.”
“It’s my car.” He shrugs. “And you tailgate.”
“I do not.” I huff and follow the guys back to the car. Before I climb in the back, I glance toward Emily’s grave. “Rest in peace,” I whisper just for her to hear.
* * *
A familiar SUV and car sit outside the mansion when we arrive home. I hop out of the car before Lucas fully stops and race toward the house. Meg runs out of the front door, laughing and opening her arms. We crash into each other in a fierce hug.
“You little witch. You said they had money, you didn’t say theyhad money.”
I chuckle and squeeze her tighter. “They’re rich, okay?”
“No shit,” she says, pulling back to look me over. “Are you taller? She’s taller, right?” she asks my mom, who’s come down the steps and grins at us.
“She’s a little taller,” Mom says, taking me into her arms. “Hey, ladybug.”
I start crying. Emotions are assholes, and I’m happy and sad at the same time. I haven’t had time to see them with everything that’s been going on. Taking over Camila’s job turned into a crap load of work, and the guys have been working just as hard. There hasn’t been time to breathe. Until now.
“Don’t hog our daughter,” Lionel says just before I’m torn from her arms and wrapped up in another alpha hug, this one fatherly and full of love.
“I missed you guys so much.”
“We know,” Tod, my dad with blond hair, says. He joins the hug circle.
Orion, my dad with the scruffy beard, joins us too. “We missed you too.”
“Oh.” Mom gasps. “The lasagna!”
“Lasagna?” I ask, extracting myself from my dads and following after her. The house smells like my grandma’s cooking, and I start crying all over again. I stand near the table, watching my mom and sister fuss over the state of two large dishes of lasagna and garlic bread.
Amelie is in the kitchen, putting salad on plates for everyone. She looks up and winks at me, smiling at my little brother who keeps trying to show her his toy car. Jefferson comes up behind him and tickles him before racing off. Philip laughs and runs after him, threatening to kick his butt for tickling him. My dads busy themselves pouring wine and getting drinks for everyone.
“That’s a lot of food,” I say with a small grin.
“The rest of the pack will be here in a bit for the first official dinner with the Pack Bullet omega.” Cory stops beside me.
I’ve met a few of their pack members over the last few months. Everyone has been so nice, but it’s been overwhelming to say the least. A nice dinner sounds like a good way to make friends. My family looks right at home in the giant kitchen. Tears prick my eyes, and I sniff, turning to Cory.
“Are you happy?”
“Are you kidding me?” I ask with a crying laugh. “Of course I’m happy.”
He smirks. “Good.”
