Page 172 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

“Yeah, he’s with Sariah, and he wants to know how to make a woman happy.”

I pause. We all do. Merle lifts her head slowly, staring at Daega.

“What did you say?”

“I said Sariah just wants someone who is going to be there. And chocolate.”

Merle lets out a happy chirp and sits back, content again now she doesn’t have to kill her omega.

Blaze walks to the window, looking out. He does it every night. Like he’s watching, checking. Guarding.

He cares more than he shows, and he watches over all of us obsessively.

I cross to his side, checking as well, before kissing his cheek. “I’m going to make snacks. I’ll be back, and we can start the movie.”

Sage gets up and follows me.

He goes to the kitchen, but I walk around the house, checking each room like I always do. Okay, so, maybe Blaze and I are the same cut of obsessiveness. King’s massive gym. Blaze’s room, where he practices his swords and has all the things that make him who he is. Sage has a room full of weapons and security cameras that he shares with Pix. Bobblehead toys are hidden everywhere. My space is a library that I’ve discovered Merle really enjoys being in, and Rolly has his gaming setup and a theater.

We have a massive bedroom that fits all our stuff in, with two bathrooms and two massive walk-in robes. It’s just under a third of the size of our house, which is located near the place where Callea is buried. In fact, a short walk will bring you to that field of flowers.

And outside is a massive tree that you can climb.

I lift the photo off the fridge, looking at it. Merle is sitting on the lowest branch, while Sparrow, Wren, Pigeon, and Egret are sitting around her. Korax didn’t come, but then no one thought he would.

The girls are having nightmares, but they are forgetting. They are adapting to life. With therapy and help, safe homes and love, they will be okay.

I put the photo back on the fridge and turn away.

We haven’t asked her, and she’s never mentioned whether she wants kids, but I know we as alphas have discussed making sure she never has to go through the trauma of childbirth. We’ll have a discussion with her very soon, and if she confirms that she doesn’t want children, then we’ve organised a doctor to make sure we can never get her pregnant. It’s the least we can do to protect her health. All six of us are agreed: no one wants to traumatise our omega more than she’s lived through already.

Sage grabs my chin and draws me back to the present.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I’m thinking we somehow ended up with everything we ever wanted and I didn’t dare even hope for.”

“Even me?” he murmurs.

“Especially you,” I whisper and touch my lips to his. “I love you, Sage.”

“Even though we’re stepbrothers?”

I scoff, laughing. “You’re obsessed.”

“And you are my obsession, and now, you’re all mine.”

I lean my forehead against his. “Thank you for coming to get us when I called you that day. You were my first and only thought. Even though I was an ass.”

He’s silent for a long moment. “I would have come for you any time you called. Thank you for trusting me with our omegas. For trusting me with you.”

I exhale roughly and wrap my arms around him, holding him tight.

“Are you coming back?” Rolly shouts.

We part and snatch up the snacks. I walk into the lounge and sit down. Daega crawls up on my lap.

“I missed you today, Alpha.”