Page 52 of Knot The Only Onee

For several moments, I held Bridget while I tried to exorcize the ghosts of my past.

“I’m here for you, and I’m not leaving. Even if you’d told me you picked that gun up and shot your father in the head, I’d still care about you. I’d still think you were an incredible person who deserves the best after the shitty life you had. You and the other two have wormed your way into my heart." The fabric of my shirt muffled her voice, but I heard every word.

I leaned back so I could look into her beautiful blue eyes. “I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to hear you say that, little one.”

I felt a warmth in his chest, a lightness, as I looked into her eyes. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips as her gaze strayed down to my lips. Leaning forward, I swept one hand up to cup her cheek as my mouth brushed over hers in the lightest of kisses. “You’re so utterly and completely perfect. I hope you know that, little one.”

Bridget drew in a harsh breath as her eyes fluttered shut. She reached up to tangle her fingers in the hair at the base of my neck, just below my hat. “Kiss me, please, James. Let’s erase the pain of the past and move forward. Together.”

A deep, rumbling purr emanated from my chest as I kissed my omega fiercely. I used my lips, teeth, and tongue to show her that she was my lifeline. My link to the present. The liferaft keeping me from drowning.

She was everything.

A weight lifted off my shoulders, making it easier to breathe. Knowing that she still accepted me after the sins of my past meant the world.

As we finished our picnic and watched the sunset together, I couldn’t fight the feeling of happiness. One that I hadn't felt in a long time. Only my pack had ever managed to make me feel this way. Now, this beautiful, kind, sweet omega was mine.

Ours.

It was going to be Noah’s turn to get his head out of his ass. Whatever was upsetting him, we had to know so we could work through it together. As a pack.

CHAPTER24

Bridget

The next morning, I woke up with the biggest smile on my face. I wiggled my legs and reached out to clutch Tux, my stuffed penguin to my chest. The picnic with James yesterday still weighed heavily on my mind, but once he spoke his truth, our connection solidified.

I couldn’t explain it.

But it felt right.

The relief on his face when I accepted him would be forever ingrained into my memory. The vulnerability on such a strong man’s face was enough to break me.

However, there was still something tugging at the corners of my mind.

The way he purred as he kissed me was an alpha’s purr. The sound designed for an alpha to soothe their omega. It’s not a sound betas were able to make…right?

I should reach out to Alena. She would know since she had two alphas of her own.

Glancing at the clock on my nightstand, I picked up my phone. It was early, but she should be up. I hoped.

“Bridget!” Alena squealed as she answered the phone. “Oh no, is everything okay?” Her voice immediately turned to panic.

“Hey, hey, no panicking. I just had a question for you.” I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing. We always assumed the worst. Just part of our tragic upbringing I suppose.

It was bittersweet to think about how similar our pasts were. And even more bitter knowing there were so many omegas with stories that mirrored our own.

“Okay, whew. Now, what’s the question? Wait, do I need to go away from the guys? Is this private girl talk?” I heard the shuffle in the background as if she was preparing to leap from her seat and rush away.

“No!” The urge to giggle became stronger by the second. “I actually want the guys to hear. Put me on speaker?”

“Gotcha. Guys, Bridget wants to ask us something.”

The guys echoed their hellos, and the brightness in their voices made a smile appear on my face. “How are things in Montana?” Simon asked, his volume increasing as he spoke. “I haven’t wanted to be a bother, but I need to know things are okay.”

Simon’s tenderness warmed my heart. “You can check in with me whenever you’d like, Simon. You’re like my protective older brother. I’m surprised you haven’t been checking in every day.”

There was a shuffle, followed by a sigh from the other end of the phone. “Didn’t want to push you away or interrupt your time there.”