Page 173 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

“Did you have fun hunting, though?” I kiss his knuckles.

“I did,” he grins and yelps when Rolly and Sage tackle him, pulling him to the floor where they sandwich him.

Merle shifts towards me and smiles as she presses her fingers to my chest to get her balance. She leans in and kisses me. We both ignore the bird as it comes to sit on my head.

“Are you happy, Omegas? Do you need anything?”

Merle looks at Daega.

“No, we’re good,” he says.

“Shall we kill someone for you?” Blaze asks politely.

Merle smiles and shakes her head, pointing at him, laughing at his murderously hopeful expression.

“Oh, don’t lie, you find my murderous side adorable.”

Merle laughs again.

The movie starts, and I end up lying against Blaze, his fingers playing in my hair. King holds my legs. Merle lies on me. The bird is asleep on its stand. I have my hand twisted in Sage’s hair, and he’s got his arms around Rolly and Daega.

I remember those lonely years, working long, desperate hours. Too scared to love anyone because I might cost her her life. Never knowing who was alive, who was safe, never able to explain. I must make a sound because the omega on me shifts until she’s looking at me in concern.

“I’ll give you everything that makes you happy,” Raven whispers. “Anything you want, Alphas. I’ll protect you. Always.”

I tangle my fingers in her hair and drag her head to mine. Our lips touch, brush. I remember the promise I made Dove. The one I made, Raven. The one I made to Merle. To keep them safe. To protect them.

Somehow, I managed to keep my promises.

“I have everything my heart could ever desire. Everything I want. I don’t need anything but this pack,” I whisper. “I am more happy than I deserve.”

Raptor stares back at me, smiling wickedly. “Oh, I think we can make this night just a little bit happier.”

“Is there anything you want?” Blaze asks Raptor.

She blinks, and her expression clears. It’s a minute difference, so slight no one would know. You’d have to be in love with her and her alters to recognise it.

“We don’t need anything else but our happy ending,” Kestrel says.

“Then we promise to give you that, too.” I stare intently into her eyes.

She was broken.

She was strong.

She was everything and so much more than I had ever dreamed. “No one will come at us again, or they’ll end up buried and rotting in pieces.”

“So bloodthirsty, Alpha,” Sage teases.

I exhale roughly. “When it comes to this pack, yes, I am. This is a dream I didn’t think I’d ever get. I won’t let anything take it from me.”

Raven sits up and grabs my face. “No one is taking us from you. Or they’ll meet the Nightingales or Pack Phoenix. We are safe, Rose.”

She stands up and strips off her clothes. I sit up, watching her incredibly sexy body as she sways enticingly.

“Now, come to bed, Alphas.”

Daega gets up and chases after her. Then King, Rolly, and Sage.