Page 3 of Down Knot Out (Pack Alphas of Misty Pines #3)

Nathaniel smiles, a rare, full expression that transforms his serious face. “He gets brushed every day. Quinn insists.”

I laugh, and Sprinkles’s tail thumps faster on the ground. “She’s quite the little dictator, isn’t she?”

“Blake’s wrapped around her little finger,” Nathaniel agrees, the fondness in his voice making it clear he’s not much better. He steps closer, his arm brushing mine. “I’m glad you came out. I was going to come find you after Sprinkles had his morning run.”

I let my hand fall away from the dog, who appears disappointed but remains sitting. “Breakfast is ready. Holden made blueberry pancakes for Dominic and chocolate chip ones for Quinn.”

“And plain ones for you, with extra butter on the side,” Nathaniel finishes, knowing Holden’s routine as well as I do. “Did he remember the?—”

“Bacon in the oven? Yes.” These men know each other so well, their lives interwoven over years of friendship and pack bonds.

“You’re settling in.” Nathaniel’s fingers brush mine, the casual touch spreading warmth up my arm. “Starting to anticipate us.”

It’s not a question, but I answer, anyway. “I’m trying.”

His brown eyes soften. “You belong here, Chloe. With us. It hasn’t been easy, and we still have a lot to work through, but…” He pauses, the silver ring on his finger catching the light as he gestures back toward the two-story cabin. “The Homestead feels right with you in it.”

My chest tightens at the sincerity in his voice. Of all the Alphas, Nathaniel is the most reserved with his emotions, the most practical and businesslike. These glimpses beneath the surface are rare and precious.

“Thank you,” I whisper, not trusting my voice with more.

He steps closer, one warm, callused hand coming up to cup my cheek. “Chloe.”

Tingles rush through me, the bond inside reaching for my Alpha.

As if we’ve done it a hundred times, he leans down as I tilt my face up, and our lips meet in a gentle kiss that soon deepens. His scent envelops me, the leather and clove familiar now but still intoxicating. I melt into his embrace, my hands finding purchase on his shoulders as he pulls me closer.

Nathaniel kisses with precision, like everything else he does, each movement deliberate and calculated for maximum effect. He knows how much pressure to apply, when to tease with his tongue, and how to angle his head for the perfect fit.

When he pulls back, I’m breathless, my lips tingling and my cheeks flushed.

Nathaniel appears pleased with himself, a hint of Alpha pride in his expression as he takes in my reaction. “Are you available for a picnic lunch today?”

I blink, trying to gather my scattered thoughts. “I think so. Why?”

“I’d like to take you for a little hike.” His thumb traces my bottom lip, still sensitive from our kiss. “There’s something I want to show you.”

My nose wrinkles. “A hike? But I’m directionally impaired. I’ve gotten lost on this island twice .”

Nathaniel laughs, the sound rich and unexpected. He presses a kiss to the tip of my nose. “It’s a very easy hike. And I’ll be with you the whole time, so you won’t get lost. ”

“Where are we going?” I ask, curiosity piqued despite my reservations.

His face lights up with excitement, which is unusual for the composed Alpha. “There’s a private beach on the property. It has real sand, not just rocks and dirt.”

“Real sand?” I repeat, my interest caught now. Most of the beaches around here are all rock, dirt, and driftwood. “Well, if that’s the case, how can I say no?”

A sound comes from Nathaniel’s throat, somewhere between a growl and a purr, and he pulls me back into his arms. His hands find the curve of my waist, strong and certain as he leans down.

“I should bring you outside more often,” he murmurs, his breath a warm caress on my ear. “You look beautiful in the morning light.”

Before I can respond, his lips capture mine again, more insistent this time, claiming rather than questioning.

The cool morning air contrasts with the heat of his body pressed to mine. His pheromones intensify, wrapping around me like a blanket as his tongue traces the seam of my lips, asking for entrance.

I open to him, melting against his broad chest as one of his hands slides up my back to cradle the nape of my neck, fingers tangling in the end of my braid. His teeth graze my bottom lip, the gentle nip sending a shiver down my spine.

I press closer, hands fisting in his polo shirt, wrinkling the fabric. The approving rumble in his chest tells me he doesn’t mind.

“If you two are done making out in the yard, breakfast is getting cold.” Blake’s amused voice shatters the moment.

Nathaniel pulls back, pupils dilated with desire. “To be continued.”

Blushing and thoughts fuzzy, I turn to find Blake leaning on the doorframe, his large frame filling the entrance. “Holden’s giving us the look. The one that says we’ve insulted his grandma by letting his pancakes grow cold.”

Nathaniel chuckles, his hand sliding from my neck to the small of my back as we walk toward the house. “We wouldn’t want that. Last time I let his cinnamon rolls cool, he didn’t bake my favorite cookies for a month.”

“A tragedy,” I tease.

Blake holds the door open for us, the scent of applewood and cider wafting from him as we pass. “Quinn’s about to start without us. She’s afraid those chocolate chip pancakes are going to make a run for it.”

Sprinkles trots in behind us, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He shakes himself again, sending more fur flying, and pads over to an enormous dog bed in the corner of the dining room. He circles three times before flopping down with a contented sigh.

After the outside chill, the house seems warmer, and not just because of the temperature. A sense of life, of home, wraps around me as we move toward the dining area. Quinn’s excited voice carries from the dining table, along with the clink of plates and utensils.

Holden dishes food onto everyone’s plates, his expression a mix of exasperation and fondness. “About time. Wash your hands before sitting down.”

I pause on the threshold, turning back to the yard and the woods beyond. The sunlight dapples through the trees, creating patterns of light and shadow on the ground.

Beautiful, but tarnished with blood.

I shiver, my arms wrapping around myself. It’s over. Louie is dead. But the fear lingers, a shadow that falls across even the brightest moments.

Simon is still out there .

The thought sends ice through my veins. His look of betrayal when I refused to go with him is burned into my memory.

He escaped that night into the woods, slipping away before the police could find him. Sometimes, I wake up certain that I’ve caught a whiff of the artificial vanilla-and-pine cologne he wears, only to realize it’s my imagination playing tricks.

“Chloe?” Nathaniel’s voice brings me back around. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”

“Fine.” I straighten and force cheerfulness into my tone. “Just plotting on how to get my hands on one of those chocolate-chip mouse pancakes.”

“Never!” Quinn shrieks, yanking a platter piled with more pancakes than she could ever eat in front of herself.

The antic distracts everyone, and I shut the door, locking it.