Page 86 of Knotted their Beauty

As of an hour ago this afternoon, we’ve relocated to a rental, and while it’s not perfect, it’s so much fucking better than a hotel. Cali wants to know when she’ll be able to come home, and Ves is stalling. I know he’s stressed out about the current media attention he’s receiving from his case and how it could affect Cali’s safety.

For now, I’m in agreement with her father, and I’ve been having video calls with her to ease the pain of missing her. She’s my tiny, broke best friend. I don’t care how sad that may make me, she’s a large part of my life and I want to hear about how she’s spending her days.

Her family is spoiling her with paint balloon experiences and ice skating. She still had a blue streak in her hair from her uncle bursting a paint balloon over her head and couldn’t stop giggling about it.

I’m glad she’s having fun. Cali made me promise to try new things since she is, and I have to say that being hyped up by a six year old is a humbling experience.

So here I am, at the grocery store, asking myself if it’s worth making dinner at our new rental.

“I think we need cake,” I grumble, pushing the cart through the aisles. “I need a reward for coming to the store.”

“Huh?” Lennox asks. “Would you like to share with the class what’s going on in your fascinating brain?”

“Shh. Don’t tease me. I’m on a mission.”

“I’ll bite⁠—”

“Promise?” I ask, stopping all of a sudden at the meat section. I can cook the fuck out of a roast and potatoes…

“Yes.” Lennox leans against my back as I look over the meat options. I’m not even going to check the prices. Ves told me to get what I want, so I am.

My alpha kisses down my neck until he reaches my bite mark. He completed our bond while he was rutting his knot into me from behind several hours into my heat. It’s all I could think about, all I wanted, and I passed out as he held me. I woke up to Lennox continuing to thrust into me as I was cradled against him with my back against his chest, his lips spread wide with pride.

My pack wants me.

“Pinch me.” I am still having trouble believing this is my life.

Lennox’ hand ghosts down my side, his body hiding me from any prying eyes we may scandalize. His fingers pinch my ass, while his other hand covers my mouth to stifle my yelp.

“I’m still here,” he chuckles. “Share the vision, sweet boy. I know we’re here because you’re planning to cook for us. Explain the menu so I can help.”

“Mmhmmph.” His hand is still over my mouth, and he chuckles as he lifts it. Lennox did it just in time, too. I would have licked his palm otherwise. “I want to make a roast, potatoes, and box cake. I don’t completely trust myself to bake something from scratch when I feel this twitchy. I think I’ll mess it up.”

“That sounds delicious. I also think you’re being too hard on yourself. Ves talks about your cooking all the time, but simple may be the best route today. Let’s get to it.”

I finally settle on two large pieces of meat and Lennox wraps it in paper and places it in the buggy before we continue on our way. I need herbs, disposable pans, ooh a salad would be nice too.

I should have brought a damn list.

“Can you grab the potatoes? I’ll be in your eyesight while I go get herbs and salad items,” I promise him.

I point to the other side of the produce section and he nods tightly. Since my anxiety is so high, I need to broadcast my movements to my pack while I’m in public. I know it doesn’t bother them, and it helps me feel safer knowing they’re paying close attention to me.

“I’ll head in that direction in a second. I want to grab some strawberries, too.”

I could have ordered groceries to be delivered to the rental, but I didn’t have a clear plan in mind yet. Grocery shopping is overwhelming for me as it is. Being here without a plan isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

I scurry across to pick up the things I need, and see a woman staring blindly at some parsnips. I’m passing by her, but frown when I realize it’s not about the produce.

She sniffs as she dashes away a few tears, and I immediately feel badly for her.

“Can I help you with anything?” I ask gently. I glance over my shoulder and see Lennox’s large form is placing a big bag of potatoes into the basket. I often get pulled into assisting others and it’s one of my flaws. I need my alpha to help ground me.

I need to be reminded that I can’t save everyone.

“Me? I’m fine, just missing someone,” she replies with a sigh.

As I twist back to face her, I see her dark hair is loose around her shoulders, and her features are hard and pinched. She looks like someone who’s lived a hard life and has had a few too many late nights partying. I’m not judging, just observing.