Chapter 24
TWENTY-FOUR
THISTLE
Tonight, everything changed for me.
At some point, Knox had shrugged off his button up and I’d seen something that made me falter. A sheen of sweat glistened in the low light, scattered across ridges of tanned, golden muscles.
But that wasn’t all.
Like a reflection of Rogue, there were scars across his back. Cruel lines, and cuts like from a whip or a knife.
I stared between them for a long time, shifting closer on the bed, needing a closer look.
They were mirrors of one another, and that drew my interest.
The fury I’d seen before in Knox? I hadn’t liked it at the time, but now I knew what it was.
The truth of it laid itself bare, from each blow to his scent, which had risen in the room like a tide.
Ink and antique wood.
More beautiful than I think it had ever been. Now it was tangled with his madness.
He was like me—with all the same instincts I was hated for.
A creature freed at last.
And that… was a problem, because it meant I wanted them both.
What do you think, Bunny?
Rogue was on the floor. His hand shook as he pushed himself up weakly, just enough to spit a glob of blood to the hardwood. Just in time for Knox to send a vicious kick into his abdomen.
Hmm…
Might be a bit of a compatibility issue, but I think we can make it work.
Knox only stopped when Rogue lost consciousness.
I stared at my scent match for a long time, checking for the rise and fall of his breathing as he lay upon the floor.
There was blood on the ground, but not lots. Not the amount that you saw when someone was dying.
He’d be fine.
My heart fluttered uncomfortably. He would be. Had to be.
Knox didn’t want him dead.
Plus, Alphas were pretty resilient.
My gaze slid to Knox once I was sure about Rogue’s survival. He was… wild, with his gaze fixed on me now, eyes dark and intense.
I shifted to the edge of the bed, staring up as he stepped toward me.
His chest was still heaving.
I reached up, pressing my hands to his torso, running them over the strong ridge of the muscled V that dipped into his pants.
He lifted the hand, still wearing the brass knuckles, grazing it along my cheek. He hadn’t used them the whole time, switching between that and his other fist. Probably because he didn’t wanna break too many parts of Rogue.
I think…
And I wasn’t scared either. Not since he’d told me he wouldn’t hurt me. I think there was more to it than not wanting Rogue to go feral, but that was a thought all too warm and happy, and I couldn’t face that yet.
“Are you staying?” I asked.
“You begged me so nicely earlier.” His voice was low, cadence slow, as if he’d got all his energy out. He sounded almost peaceful.
Oh, sweet Bunny, we get cuddles from this new vicious Knox.
And I mean… Rogue couldn’t be too mad. He knew I’d had to ask to protect him.
His fingers curled beneath my chin, tilting it to face him and the touch sent scores of butterflies into my tummy. I liked him like this, eyes still smouldering with the edges of insanity.
We’d have to find him a new target practice, though.
I leaned closer, fingers curling around his forearms, so aware of his cock only inches away. If Rogue asked later, I was definitely not this horny.
Knox’s lips curved into a faint smile as he stared down at me, as if he could sense my arousal. It was the same way I could sense his insanity through his scent, his blown pupils–he was on the edge of feral too, driven by violence, by instinct.
“But then you tried to mind fuck me,” he murmured.
Oh…
I frowned.
I think I knew what he was talking about. When he’d commanded me to let him go…
But a mind fuck…?
I’d mind fucked him?
I shoved away my stupid smile, and buried a wave of smug pride.
Instead, I shifted closer, head leaning against his arm as I pouted. It’s not like I’d had a choice, but if I wanted cuddles, I’d convince him I was repentant. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”
Uh…
I hadn’t really meant to say that, but his low growl was so instant it made me jump. He tilted his head back, eyes shut for a second as his grip on my chin tightened.
I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing until I realised his cock was straining in his pants.
Okay.
Good.
Really good.
He cursed under his breath, then his fist closed around the chain at my neck, and he was tugging me up. Next thing he was dragging me across the bed, and bundling me in his strong arms as he curled up around me.
Oh.
Oh, my god.
More cuddles?
Ugh—Daddy Knox cuddles!
This was the best day of my life, because I don’t think I’d ever been cuddled by two Alphas on the same day.
I had a whole long way to go with these two, but this was a great start. I think there was a real pack on the horizon.
A four-person pack was a respectable sized pack that no one could scoff at—one that a real proper Omega like even Glade might have.
I could just see it—forever and ever: me, Rogue, Knox, and Bunny.