Page 5 of Knot The Only Onee

That was something I kept secret from almost everyone in my life. Simon was told because he was supposed to marry me one day.

I sank back into the chair.

“I’ll be okay.” I took a sip of the coffee. “I’ll learn how to clean properly and be an asset.”

And I would. I could be a posh British woman with a stiff upper lip when I needed to be.

Who knows? I might actually like the job.

“Are you happy?” I asked as I finished my coffee. “After the hell you’ve been through, are you at least happy now?” I hoped he was. He deserved it.

Simon took my hand, squeezing it. “Yes, Bridget. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been after finding Alena and completing our pack.” He tapped my nose. “You’ll find your pack soon.”

I offered him a faint smile. One day, perhaps. However, I didn’t have much hope.

“I’d almost forgotten,” I told him.“We left so suddenly that I didn’t have time to grab my suppressants. Do you know if they have them here?” I couldn’t help my cheeks turning red. It wasn’t something I really wanted to discuss with Simon but who else could I ask?

Simon cleared his throat, and his cheeks matched my color. “I’ll ask. If not, I’ll make sure they get some for you.”

I nodded my thanks. I hated taking the suppressants; they usually made me feel sick anyway, but at least they kept unwanted attention away. It was the lesser of two evils.

After seeing Lucas, I wondered what the alpha and other beta looked like. Would they be as handsome as the beta?

An unfamiliar heat pooled in my belly at the thought.

No. Bad line of thinking. I was here to get away from Society and alphas that sought to control me because of my biology.

I’d never allowed a heat to fully take me, and I wouldn’t start now.

“Alright. Why don’t you come with me? I’ll formally introduce you to the guys and they can give you a quick tour?” Simon stood, grabbing the tray.

I followed him quietly. It was a good idea, even if I was nervous about it.

As we stepped outside, I took a deep breath of fresh air. Unlike major cities, the air was crisp and, honestly, felt revitalizing. Nonna would have cackled at me had I ever said that word in her presence. I stopped moving as I thought about the small restaurant and family I’d been staying with for the past couple of years.

I’d stayed with the Russo family for several years, living in the apartment above their restaurant. They’d become like my second family. All betas, it was easy to blend in at their restaurant and help with the books. Nonna taught me to cook delicious meals from scratch and was my best friend. Leaving her was the worst part of this whole situation.

I hoped she would be okay and that the kids would help her remember her medicine. She had become my family over the years, and I did what I could to help care for her.

They’d been so kind to me, and I would never be able to repay all they did when I first came to them.

I was a shell of a woman then. Barely able to speak because of the horror that had been my family. Andre, Nonna’s youngest son, was neurodivergent as well. They helped me to find the right doctor and therapist to help manage my life.

They’d given me purpose—a reason to keep getting up every morning. Nonna welcomed me like I was her child, her three sons protecting me like I was their little sister, and their wives were the friends I’d always longed for. I was there for the birth of Nonna’s first grandchild, Vincente, who called me Aunt Bridgie to this day because he couldn’t say the T.

Tears welled in my eyes at the thought of something happening to Nonna.

“Bridget?” Simon stood in front of me, his hands on my shoulders.

I blinked. “Oh. Sorry. I got distracted in my head again. Just missing the Russo’s. You’re making sure that no one goes after them?”

At his nod, I smiled and stepped back, and he let go of me. “Let’s go meet your friends.”

We walked up the dirt pathway, both of us in our own thoughts. As we approached the main house, I saw three men waiting out on the porch with Alena. Alena waved when she saw us. I lifted my hand in greeting. Simon stepped up the porch steps, and his arm went around Alena’s waist. He kissed her forehead, and my heart pinged just a little.

What would it be like to have someone there for you and love you for just being you?

Alena was a lucky woman.