Page 65 of Rot In Knotty Pieces

My smile fades as I turn away from them, mentally descending into the millions of thoughts that are plaguing me.

“Who are they?”

“Those are disciples of the Flock. His sworn devotees come to do his bidding,” Raptor says scathingly. “Useless fucks.”

Her words steal my humor and drag me back to reality with a heavy thud.

It’s been a long, almost three weeks, but it’s time to return to civilization and the real world. In my head, I go over all the complications, all the potential dangers, the threats, the horrible ways we could be undone.

I plan for as many of them as I can.

I would be an idiot to think I’ve prepared for everything, but the act of planning soothes the alpha urge to grab my omegas and drag them back into the forest and disappear off-grid forever.

It’s hard to resist it.

Harder still when I can see the same urge in every other alpha’s eyes.

Roseland stands at the river, watching the water rush past. I approach warily.

“What are you thinking about?”

“You killed our parents?”

Oh, that was not where I thought he was going to go. “I did.”

“Why?”

“Well, partially because they were involved in destroying our home and getting our omegas kidnapped, and partly because your mother decided that it was a good time to kill you.”

Roseland’s eyes tighten but only for a fraction of a second before his expression clears.

“Okay.”

I study him, but there’s no grief, no sadness, or anger, just a calm acceptance.

He turns and finds me studying him, and one of those perfect smiles spreads across his face.

“I’m not upset, Sage. It’s one less threat, I am grateful to you.”

He turns and cups my neck, guiding me closer, then leaning down and touching his lips to mine.

It’s a rare, rare display from Aaron.

One I will cherish forever.

“I’m not upset. Not at all.”

Well, that’s good. Great.

I open my mouth to say something adult and profound when Raptor and Rolly streak past, the pair of them naked as the day they were born, and leap into the river.

I sigh heavily.

“Daddy Blaze, I thought you were watching them,” I snap turning away from my stepbrother.

Blaze huffs at me. “I can’t do it all alone. They are like cats on catnip needing to shit.”

Aaron gets the giggles. I side-eye him.