Page 140 of Knot So Social

Mr Shares wriggles into my arms, sniffing at me and licking my throat. I bend my head until it rests on his.

“Thank you,” I murmur into his shaggy coat. His tongue darts out and then he settles, warm and heavy on my chest.

The other dog touches the beanbag with his front paws before jumping on top of my dog, squishing us both. He's more rigid than my goldie, but the combined weight’s oddly comforting.

Joel’s back in what seems like seconds, carting a duffel bag and an armful of supplies. A roll of paper towel spills from his grip and he throws the rest in the corner before touching the side panel. The door slides shut, enclosing us in a fully soundproofed box.

Dimmer lights glow, just enough to see by, revealing Joel’s bent back as he rifles through things. I hug Mr Shares and gently stroke the excitable pup behind him while watching my rescuer.

He strips off his soaked clothes and pulls on a shirt I recognize as Jeremy’s. So that’s what the duffel bag was. He digs out a few neat, labeled packs, grunting as he inspects each one.

“Well, that’s a blessing,” he mutters, pulling something out. As he turns, he slips a shadowy object into his mouth before coming over. He drags the second beanbag, which is usually for Mr Shares, and arranges it next to mine before sinking down.

“Feeling any better?” he murmurs, laying the sequin blanket over my legs. His voice seems oddly thick.

I nod, suddenly shy, and wriggle my toes in the soft woolen underside.

“It’s the storm, huh?”

A shudder convulses through me.

He leans over to plant a kiss on my forehead. “Okay, okay. Sorry.”

His proximity brings that full-bodied scent straight to my lungs, and the heat of it burns out the ice in my veins. When he leans back, I grab for him instinctively.

Joel chuckles, the sound velvet in my ears. “You can have me, little omega, but there’s not much room with two hounds on your chest.”

I smirk. My lips quiver, but the smile holds. Tipping sideways, I fall against his chest, letting the two dogs slide down my back. Mr Shares curls into my spine and the boxer yips and circles around to his owner.

Joel hums as he locks his arms around me. “Better.”

His steady heartbeat thumps under my ear, lulling my pulse back to stable levels. In here, behind soundproof walls, I can’t even tell if the storm’s still raging outside.

“I need to check your hands,” Joel murmurs near my ear. “That okay?”

I hold my hand out, wondering why he’s asking, and that’s when I notice the blood. And the towel still gripped to my chest. I’ve been clenching one hand so tight, I dug my nails right into my palms.

Joel sits up and drags a kit over, digging out stinging antiseptic wipes and a bandage. The medication stinks up the room, but the scent of wet dog and sun-baked earth soon overpowers it.

By the time he finishes treating me, my heartbeat’s returned to normal and the shakes have cooled to a bare tremor. The adrenaline circles my body with a cool mint sensation, rather than a vicious burn.

Joel wriggles on the beanbag to take me in his arms once more. He doesn’t talk, just strokes my hair, lulling me into a daze. I’ve never considered a scent-match alpha as a real possibility, but there’s no mistaking the way his musk lures me. The world could shatter around me, and I wouldn’t care so long as I could keep breathing this spicy, sunny aroma.

“Thank you,” I murmur, once I’m sure my voice will hold.

Joel squeezes me. “I’m sorry for not getting here sooner.”

It’s an apology; not for the storm, but for taking so long to process the appearance of me, his scent match. Well, I wasn’t so accommodating myself.

“You’re forgiven.” I clutch his shirt, feeling his solid body beneath.

His chest jerks under my cheek, my words affecting him.

With a soft huff, I draw my head up to his, searching for his mouth. He kisses me, but it’s shallow, his lips oddly flat. I stroke his sandpapery jaw, trying to make sense of what I’m feeling. Then I spy the film across his teeth.

“Is that a . . . mouthguard?”

My alpha stares at me, face shadowed in the dim lighting. “Yes. I found it in Jeremy’s kit.”