Iknocked lightly on the study door, holding my breath.
“Come in,” Cam’s gruff voice called out.
I took a deep breath and steeled myself for his anger. What I saw when I opened the door made me scrunch my nose in confusion. Cam was sitting in his big office chair and was… knitting?
His head shot up. “Josie! I thought you were Theo.” His cheeks flushed, and his eyes darted to his knitting project before quickly dropping it on his desk.
“I didn’t know you knit,” I said, still standing by the door.
I had been expecting Cam’s fury, or at least for him to be cold towards me. Almost all the alphas I knew lashed out with aggression when they didn’t get their way. Seeing the muscular alpha in front of me blushing furiously, his craft project in front of him, sent my brain into a fritz.
“I saw a therapist for a while, and she recommended I find a way to channel my emotions into something non-destructive. So I learned to knit,” Cam blurted out. He wasn’t looking at me and his scent was… embarrassed?
Without thinking, I closed the distance between us. Cam automatically parted his legs so I could stand between them.
“Can I see?” I asked, nodding towards the abandoned knitting project.
He gave me a curt nod. I picked up the needles, revealing the lumpiest, ugliest piece of knitting I had ever seen. I remembered the blanket I’d fallen in love with in my nest, and my heart melted at the realization that Cam must have knitted it for me.
“I know it’s not a veryalphathing to do,” he said. “It’s stupid.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Why would that matter? You should do what makes you happy,” I said, my tone sharp.
Cam’s lips quirked. “Haven’t heard you sound that fierce before. It’s hot.” His blush deepened, as did his scent. He ran his hand across his neck and avoided my gaze.
I bit my lip, unsure of what to do next. “Are you mad at me?” I asked, my voice soft.
Cam’s hands automatically went to my hips, gripping tightly. “No, baby girl, not at all.” He took a shuddering breath. “I’m pissed at myself for reacting like that, and I’m scared shitless at the thought of anything happening to you. My alpha keeps telling me I need to keep you locked up so no one can get to you, but I know I can’t do that.” He grumbled that last part, which made me smile.
“Thanks for saying that,” I said, running my hand through his long hair. He was wearing it down this morning, and I loved the feel of it. I needed to convince him to let me braid it sometime.
“Come here,” he said, tugging me onto his lap and holding me close. “You’re so important to me, sweetheart. I don’t think you understand how much. I know I’m an overbearing bastard, but I need you to be safe. Can’t stand the idea of anyone hurting you.”
I placed little kisses down his clenched jaw, feeling his tension slowly release.
“I know you’ll keep me safe, Cam,” I said. As I said the words, I realized how true they were. Fear had been my constant companion these past few years. Being around my alphas made me feel safer than I could have ever imagined.
“I’m coming with you to meet Luc and check things out. That’s non-negotiable,” Cam said, bracing as if he expected an argument.
I just nodded, snuggling closer to his chest. Funny how I didn’t hate his protectiveness all the time.Who are you kidding? You love it.
Cam kissed my forehead tenderly. “I’m sorry I overreacted,” he murmured in my ear. “I know you’re capable and independent, and I don’t ever want to take that away from you. Forgive me?”
“Of course,” I said, tilting my head to kiss him.
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Josie
“I’m not leaving her here alone.”
I anxiously watched Cam and Luc’s standoff. Theo and Ben had begrudgingly stayed home to catch up on work while Cam and I picked Clementine up. She and I held a silent conversation in the car, with lots of suggestive eyebrow raises from her and lots of giggles from me. Cam pretended to be annoyed, but I saw the corner of his lips twitch at our antics. His scowl returned once we pulled into the alleyway, as if remembering that I had been venturing out alone late at night for months.
Westin and Poppy squealed in excitement when we walked in, and all of us were currently watching the two alphas argue back and forth like a ping-pong match.
“So you’ll be fine to sit here quietly without interrupting, even if she gets hurt?” Luc asked.
“Why the fuck would she get hurt?” Cam asked, getting louder. I needed to de-escalate the situation.
