Page 102 of Knot the Last Chapter

“Lila?”

It’s my brother.

Jake.

The scrape of boots on the entryway floor is followed by the low murmur of masculine voices, and I know the alphas are intercepting him, forming a protective wall like they always do now. But it doesn’t take long. In the next moment, I hear Jake’s voice again, closer. Sharper.

“Where is she? She okay?”

I step into the hall before they can answer. “Jake.”

He turns toward me like a storm in reverse—tension bleeding away the second he sees me. In two long strides, he pulls me into a tight hug, lifting me clean off the floor for a second before setting me down. His hand cups the back of my head, the other gripping my waist like he’s anchoring both of us.

“You scared the hell outta me,” he mutters into my hair.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

He pulls back, scanning me with a protective brother’s intensity. “You’re… okay?”

“I am.”

He pauses, then lowers his voice. “But something’s going on.”

I glance over his shoulder. The three alphas are lingering in the hallway behind him, watching carefully but silently. Tyler’s jaw is tight, Rhys has his arms crossed over his chest like he’s keeping himself from interfering, and Corwyn looks quietly amused, like he knows how this will go and is just waiting for it.

Jake turns and looks back at them, then returns his focus to me. “You wanna talk somewhere?”

I nod. “Yeah. Come on.”

We head to the sunroom, dim and cozy in the moonlight. I curl up in one of the oversized chairs while he takes the one across from me. He leans forward, arms resting on his knees, just watching me. No pressure. Just being there.

“Storm knocked out power for most of the valley,” he finally says. “Cottages are okay, but we were worried sick when you didn’t check in.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you or Mom.” I rub my hands along my thighs. “Things happened quickly.”

Jake tilts his head, studying me. “You’re flushed. And different.”

I give a small laugh. “You always say that.”

“Yeah, but this time it’s… good. Confident. Like you’ve got something figured out.”

I shrug. “Maybe. I’m writing again.”

His face lights up. “Seriously?”

I nod, warmth blooming in my chest. “Seriously. Mystery stuff. With heart. There’s a murder, of course. And clues. And red herrings. But the characters—they’re getting clearer.”

Jake grins, but it quickly fades into something more somber. “And the rest of it?”

I swallow. “There’s… more to it than writing.”

His brows raise. “I figured. The three of them—those alphas?”

“Yeah.”

“Are they—?”

“They’ve taken really good care of me,” I say quietly, voice trembling just a little. “Better than I ever expected. They’re… respectful. Kind. Generous.”