Page 33 of Knot The Only Onee

“Thanks,” I managed to get out after taking my first sip.

He had already returned to the counter and began rolling out the dough for some delicious baked item. Instead of replying, he lifted his middle finger in the air in a one-finger salute.

Chuckling, I pulled out my phone to drift through any other emails or messages that may have come in from last night. I continued to sift through the junk mail and past-due notices while I drank my coffee.

When my mug was drained, I poured another and took a few bites of food. I didn’t want to piss Lucas off any more by not eating his breakfast.

He tended to get cranky when you refused his food.

James sat down next to me with a grunt and eyed Lucas. His brows furrowed as he looked between me and our beta. “What did you do now?” He asked when he turned back to me.

I rolled my eyes. “Why would it be something I did? Why wouldn’t it be Lucas?”

Lucas turned at the sound of his name and wiped his hands using the towel hanging from his shoulder. His brows rose as he crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t say a word.

Which spoke volumes. When Lucas was quiet, there was something deeply wrong.

“Oh shit, what did I do?” I groaned and downed more of my coffee. Wake up fully, Noah, get your head out of your ass.

“What is going on with you?” He asked, his tone harsher than I’d heard from him in a long time. “Last night, you were in a mood. Today, you’re in a mood, and you aren’t talking to us.”

My eyes slid shut as a headache began to form behind my lids. I pressed my fingers into my temple and sighed. “I’m sorry, guys. There are just some things I can’t share right now.”

“Bullshit, Noah,” Lucas called me out, his eyes flaring with venom and deep hurt.

The tantalizing scent of strawberries invaded my nostrils, and I barely concealed the groan that escaped my chest.

Lucas and James snapped to attention and turned to the entryway as Bridget stepped through.

“Uh, sorry to interrupt.” She tucked a strand of her long, curly hair behind an ear. The gesture was altogether too enticing. It was innocent and sweet, but the movement also caused more of her scent to filter through the air.

I was already holding on by a thread. Lucas had rattled me. I knew they were observant, but I hadn’t realized how much I was holding back and keeping inside.

Fuck.

“You aren’t interrupting, Darlin’.” Lucas turned on that megawatt smile that everyone melted for. With Bridget, he didn’t even have to fake it. He genuinely cared for the omega, even after just a couple of days with us.

Damn it.

“Get it together, alpha.” James leaned toward me and whispered just loud enough for me to hear. “Talk to us. We’re your pack. You don’t have to shoulder whatever burdens these are alone.”

Nodding, I knew James was right. In my heart, I knew it. In my soul, I knew it. But now I just needed to tell my brain and my damn pride to let me talk to my circle.

CHAPTER16

Bridget

The tension in the kitchen was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I desperately wanted to run back upstairs and hide in my nest. Last night, I did some arranging until I could comfortably curl up in the soft blankets and pillows.

I slept better than I had in years beneath the canopied bed and warm cocoon of fluffiness.

An omega could get used to this.

Even though I had some weird dreams.

Well, weird for me.

Because they involved being ravished by all three men. Men that I was living under the same roof as. Men that I had to face every day as I tried not to think about the wicked things I imagined in that dream.