Page 39 of Knot The Only Onee

I really needed to pay attention. Maybe if I pinched myself?

“I was going to talk to Noah, but then I heard the music and couldn’t stop from following it. You play so beautifully, James.” Bridget brushed her hair behind her right ear, looking down briefly. “But,” her voice strained hesitantly, “The song was so heart-wrenching. James, can I hug you?”

It felt like I had been doused with cold water.

A hug?

She offered to hug me because she thought I needed one, and I was sad. I wish I were wearing my hat so I could tip it down to cover my eyes and hide the tears that pricked at the corners of them.

“I’d love a hug.” The words were barely more than a whisper, and I wasn’t even sure she heard me.

Then her arms wrapped around my middle, and she laid her head on my chest. One hand came up to gently hold the back of her head, and the other rubbed up and down her back.

My breathing slowed, my body relaxing against hers. She fit so perfectly against me, warm and inviting. Her scent enveloped us, and I fought to keep myself under control.

A rumble started in my chest, and Bridget’s fingers curled in my shirt. “You really are different,” she whispered, surprising me.

I drew back and looked down at her. “What do you mean, ‘different’?”

She blinked up at me, confusion swirling in her bright depths. She licked her lips and began to draw her bottom one between her teeth before she quickly released it. “You’re a beta, but you purr like an alpha.”

I nodded at her..

“You’re larger and buffer than most betas. And there’s just something about you that’s part of both.” She released my shirt and took a step back. Her gaze fell to the floor, and her fingers wiggled at her sides.

“Not sure what it is or why I’m like this.” Although I had my theories.

But I couldn’t think too much about them now. Not on Ashlei’s birthday.

I was too raw. Too emotional. And that hug had sent me spiraling, thinking of having Bridget in my arms forever.

We were still trying to give her time.

But I don’t know how much longer we could wait. Our pack was starting to unravel, and it was breaking my heart.

Lucas was the closest to her, pulling her in with his delicious food and soothing smile. He was livid that we hadn’t made a move or even tried to get closer after the two weeks she’d been here.

“James?” Bridget asked tentatively, snapping me out of my musings.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“Are you okay?” She tucked a curl behind her ear and tilted her face up at me. “The song and the way you’re acting. Is there anything I can do?”

The one question knocked another crack into the wall around my heart, sending sections of it crashing to the ground.

“There’s so much, little one.” I cupped her cheek in my palm and ran my thumb over her bottom lip. Damn, it felt so good to touch her; to feel her soft skin. I craved to press my lips to hers, but the voice in my head told me not yet.

“Tell me.” She leaned into my touch, one hand coming up to secure my hand more firmly against her.

I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. Without a word, I pulled my hand from her face and left the room.

It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done.

And I had no idea why I was running from her.

But I had to.

As I crossed the kitchen, my boots heavy against the floors, Lucas glanced at me curiously. “What–”