Page 74 of Knot So Lucky

I watch Aurora sleep, taking in the peaceful expression on her face. The slight smile that curves her lips like she's dreaming of something pleasant. The way her breathing has evened out into deep, restful patterns.

She looks content.

More than content—she lookshappyin a way I haven't seen in the entire time I've known her.

And it's because of him.

Because of Elias and his stupid soft eyes and his threatening gaze and the way he holds her like she's something precious.

The reality of it settles over me like a weight.

Aurora found her scent match. Found someone whose biology calls to hers on the most fundamental level. Found an Alpha who will bond with her and claim her and integrate her into a pack structure that I have no place in.

My chest feels tight. Like someone's squeezing my lungs, making it hard to draw full breaths.

I've been sleeping with Aurora for years. Have memorized the sounds she makes when she comes. Know exactly how to touch her to make her fall apart. Have held her through panic attacks and suppressant crashes, and the aftermath of particularly brutal family dinners.

But I'm not her scent match.

Never will be, no matter how much my Alpha instincts insist she's mine.

And soon—probably sooner than I'm ready for—she'll be part of a pack that doesn't include me. Will have bonds and connections and loyalties that supersede whatever complicated thing we've been doing.

Will have an Alpha who can give her things I can't. Safety and stability and the kind of biological compatibility that makes everything else easier.

I try not to think about it.

Try not to imagine Aurora in Elias's arms permanently. Try not to picture her scent mixing with his until they're inseparable. Try not to consider what it will feel like when she stops coming to me for comfort because she has someone better.

Try not to think of the reality that's about to burn me to a crisp.

But the image is already there, seared into my brain with painful clarity.

Aurora, happy and bonded and finally safe in ways I could never provide.

Without me.

CHAPTER 13

Navigating New Territory

~AURORA~

"—and you could have beenkilled, Rory. Do you understand that? Killed. Dead. Gone. No amount of family money or connections brings you back from that."

Roran's been on this particular soapbox for the past ten minutes, pacing back and forth beside my hospital bed like a caged animal while his Alpha pheromones spike with protective fury.

I huff, crossing my arms—carefully, because my ribs protest the movement—and roll my eyes with as much attitude as I can muster while hooked up to various monitors.

"You sound like Father."

The comparison lands exactly as intended.

Roran's eyes narrow, jaw clenching in that particular way that means I've struck a nerve.

"Maybe Father has a point," he shoots back, but there's less heat in it now. "Maybe listening to the people who actually care about your wellbeing isn't the worst idea."

"I'mfine," I insist, gesturing vaguely at myself as evidence. "A few bruises, some smoke inhalation, nothing that won't heal. And they know what to fix on the prototypes now, so whatever. Mission accomplished."