Page 19 of Knottily Ever After (Crescent Lake Cozy Omegaverse #1)

Chapter Nineteen

Ben

I ’d gotten used to group dinners since moving in with Vaughn and Quinn. It’s been years now.

We’re lucky to live in a place where packs are accepted and even expected, so an incomplete pack living together is totally normal.

What’s not normal are the odd texts I’d received from Vaughn and Quinn to tell me they wouldn’t be home for dinner.

Vaughn

Have to work tonight. Won’t be home.

Quinn

Something came up. Won’t be back until really late.

Huh.

And even more abnormal was the fact that I knew Violet was in her room and hadn’t come out.

When I’d knocked on her door with an offer of dinner, she’d said she wasn’t hungry.

I don’t think the frown has left my face since.

Snacks were all I’d been in the mood for after that, just something to stop my stomach from growling.

It isn’t long before I decide that enough is enough.

I’m knocking on Violet’s door again before I realize it, and this time, she opens it instead of speaking to me through it.

Her eyes are red and glassy, the tip of her nose is rosy but not from a chill. She sniffles, and my entire body tenses.

If someone has hurt her… if that ex of hers has upset her in any way…

My voice is strained, but as calm as I can make it. “What’s wrong, Violet?”

At the sound of her name on my lips, her eyes shoot up to meet mine. Then she sighs, her head shaking. “It’s really nothing,” she whispers. “I don’t know why I’m so upset. It’s the weirdest thing.”

My jaw works from side to side. “If you’re upset, then it isn’t nothing. Not to you. Not to me.”

A small smile forms on her lips, but it’s not joyful. “It’s just… it’s stupid. Quinn was asking me a bunch of questions earlier today. Weird stuff about my suppressants and side effects.” Her head shakes again. “I got pretty mad, but then when I was alone in my room, that anger morphed into tears.”

Fucking Quinn! I’m going to punch him in the face next time I see him.

Instead of saying that aloud, I offer, “How about you get out of your room and join me on the couch for a comedy special? There’s a new one that just released today and it looks really good.”

She hesitates.

“ It’s an Omega who bashes on stereotypical male Alphas,” I croon enticingly. “I bet it will make you feel better about how stupid Quinn is.” I lean in conspiratorially and whisper, “He’s all muscle and no brains.”

A giggle erupts from her mouth, then her eyes gain a devious glint. “I’ll join you if we can have popcorn.”

“ Your wish is my command.”

I’m calmed as I step back from her door frame and head for the kitchen. She calls out after me, “I’m going to wash up quick.”

Minutes later, we’re on the couch with sodas, a big bowl filled with microwaved popcorn between us, and the laughs are rolling.

And boy, do I love Violet’s laugh.

As the air around us lightens, the mood shifting, I catch her peering over at me out of the corner of my eye.

I force myself not to turn to her, a warmth building inside my chest that can only be pride.

The small spike in her wildflower scent proves that she likes what she sees when she looks at me, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

When she looks back at the TV, I glance at her, stifling a smile, but too quick, her emerald eyes are on me again, this time surprised to find me looking back at her.

Her head whips back to the comedy special.

I can’t help the chuckle that bubbles from my chest, but I do try and disguise it as a reaction to a joke as best I can.

When the special comes to an end, it’s been more than an hour. Our popcorn is finished—Violet ate most of it, which I’d never complain about—and I turn to her.

“ Did you want more popcorn? More to drink? Ready to watch something else?”

She smiles, letting out a little laugh. “No more snacks for me, but I’m ready for some water.” She rises from the couch with her glass and the popcorn bowl. “Can I get you anything?”

I shake my head and show her my still half-full glass of soda.

When she returns with water, she grabs the blanket from the armchair beside her, offering me one side. “Do you want to share the blanket?”

Damn my body for always being so warm. There’s nothing I want more than to be under the blanket with Violet, inhaling that scent of hers. “I’m okay, thanks,” I choke out.

She shrugs. “More blanky for me.” She wraps the blanket around her body and sits down like she’s in her own little cocoon.

I cannot stop the grin from forming on my face. “Are you feeling better?”

She nods inside her blanket. “A lot better. Thank you, Ben.”

I love when she says my name. A part of me wishes she’d use my full name, though. I don’t know why.

Goosebumps form on my forearms. “Let me ask you something.” I lean back a little. “Are you happy here in Crescent Lake?”

“ Yes.” She barely thinks about her response. “I love it here. It’s beautiful and quiet and clean. I’m far away from my troubles, too.”

“ Your ex?”

She gives an affirmative hum. “It’s good to be away from everything that went down.”

The itch to ask her for more details is strong, but I keep it together. She’s feeling better now, and I don’t want to ruin it.

“ I’m really enjoying my time here. And maybe enjoying spending time with you guys, too.” She nudges my knee with her toes, drawing a laugh from me. “Even if Quinn can be a total dick.”

Fucking Quinn.