Her Knotty List (MVP: Most Valuable Pack Book 4)
Her Knotty List: Chapter 41

Am I proud of the way I had a whining panic attack in the middle of the backyard?

No.

Does being snuggled between Micah and Zane on the couch make the whole ordeal worth the mortification?

Yes.

Which I am also not proud of.

Zane’s spiced skin is like a tranquilizer. I snuggle my cheek into his pectoral, and he presses kisses over my forehead. “My poor gorgeous girl,” he murmurs. “No one is leaving you. I promise, I promise.”

They’ve all promised, repeatedly. And I believe them. No matter how naive or needy that makes me, I really do.

My Omega is frantic, though. She wants us to bite them and bond them right now. To be sure that none of them would ever leave us.

When I quiver, Zane cups my chin and tilts my head back. His hypnotic gaze swallows mine. “Settle, baby. I’m here. Settle.”

The oh-so-gentle bark winds through me like novocaine, numbing the anxiety vibrating around my lungs. Micah presses his purring chest into my back, nuzzling at my nape. “I’m so sorry, sweet girl. I didn’t mean to panic you. No one wants to leave.”

Gunnar is positioned on the table across from us, his thighs spread, and his elbows on his knees. He watches me with worry in his gray eyes and creases pulling at his lips.

After a long moment, he looks at Micah. “Did you say there was a town up the mountain?”

My fireman nods. “Yeah. My hometown. Why?”

Gunnar shoots a quick glance over his shoulder at Knox and suggests, “Let’s go into town. Zane can get all the fancy groceries he’s been clamoring for, and we can buy some Christmas decorations.”

My Omega practically spasms at the thought of leaving this house. Partly because, deep down, this all still feels like a dream.

If we go out into the real world, will they all wake up?

Look over at me and realize I’m not their mate?

That this was all a big, situational case of group insanity?

What if we come across a better omega—or one they wouldn’t have to share?

Maybe some pretty, hometown omega will catch Micah’s eye.

Or another traveler for Zane.

Or—

Gunnar gives a distressed grunt, dropping to the floor between Zane’s legs and rubbing my back while he holds my face with his free hand. “We don’t have to go anywhere, sunshine,” he says, soft. “We’ll all stay right here and snuggle you all day long.”

My chest snags on a ragged breath. “S-sunshine?”

He doesn’t explain. He just nods emphatically and kisses my hand, murmuring, “My sunshine.”

Something about those words, combined with the steady weight of his gaze and Zane’s drugging scent… More of my tension unwinds. My mind processes what everyone just said without the fuzzy, vibrating lens of panic, hearing things I didn’t before.

My head whips to the side. “Micah, did you say your hometown? Like where you went to high school and had your first kiss and learned to ride a bike and everything?”

He flashes a mildly sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his buzzed hair. “Yeah. I, uh, never left.”

I never left my hometown either. My parents eventually moved to a cooler climate, but my brother and I both loved Florida too much.

Thinking of Theo puts a lump in my throat. He texted a few days ago to tell me that they all made it home. Their football team lost a home game yesterday, but he didn’t care. Meg seemed closer to labor every day and I could practically feel his excitement vibrating through his messages.

Lucy has also been in touch. She texted to tell me the “whole wedding situation” was “handled.” Which is very Olivia Pope and totally on-brand for my boss-babe sister. She also told me that my parents are worried about me, but she “had them under control.”

I’m telling you, I really came from the shallow end of that gene pool.

Micah’s soft hazel eyes land on mine, beaming pure warmth at me. “My brother might be around. I know he would love to meet you.” His full lips quirk as he tosses a look at Zane. “And you.”

Zane grins, so unbelievably beautiful it hurts. Part of me is a jealous psycho who hates the idea of letting Micah’s omega brother meet my hot-chef alpha. Which is so crazy because Micah’s brother is bonded and—you know—his literal brother.

In the sweetest moment of indulgent understanding ever, Zane frowns mildly at my expression before telling Micah, “Maybe next time, eh?”

My firefighter catches up quickly, empathy filling his features. “Of course. Whatever you’re comfortable with, Emma.”

They’re perfect. And I’m crazy.

My Omega needs to chill.

Maybe my heat really is coming early, like Lucy suggested.

I actually do need a few things if I’m really going to stay here for all of that. Knox’s bed will probably be fine, but I’ll need some extra pillows to make it feel nest-y enough…and we’ll have to figure out how the heck I’ll make a pillow retaining wall and still have room for four grown men, but that sounds like a Tomorrow Emma problem.

It will be fine!

I can do this!

Daddy has to say yes first, though. Especially since I have no money.

When I chance a glance across the room, I replace Knox scowling at his phone for the first time ever. He’s on it so little that I almost forgot he had one.

As soon as he feels me watching, he looks over and nods. “You can go into town, little miss,” he gruffs. “I keep accounts open at the local shops. Just tell them to put whatever you all need on my tab.”

My heart sinks. “You don’t want to come?”

A grimace pulls at his bearded mouth. “Not today.” He flicks a stern look at Gunnar. “And don’t get any Christmas shit. Food and nesting supplies only.”

Suddenly, the air in the living room feels tighter. Is he not planning for us to be here for Christmas? Is that why he won’t decorate? He wants us to leave right after my heat?

I thought yesterday—showing him I could handle his Alpha and the guys showing they could stay alert to monitor his rut—changed things. I thought, maybe, he’d started to believe we could really work. As a pack.

But he doesn’t look at me now. His eyes drop back to his screen, and he nods toward the front door, putting just enough bark into his next command to make it impossible for all of us to ignore. “Y’all go on. Get out of here.”