Page 21 of Knot a Bad Idea

You’re feeling too much.

You’re too much.

Donovan clears his throat and stands in the open doorway to the studio, and I turn to face him.

My pack leader has dark circles under his eyes and looks like he hasn’t been sleeping properly.

He looks awreck.

But I know better than to push him.

“Is everything okay?” I ask anyway.

“They were supposed to be back last night,” he says lowly, his hands in his pockets.

Hunter took April to the studio, and while I wish I was the first one to do it, I’m glad he did.

That place is special to the three of us, and I know he’ll take care of her there.

I shrug and turn my attention back to the painting. “They spent the night,” I murmur. “I’m not surprised.”

The piece is more abstract than I usually create. The outline of a human heart is sketched in the background and covered by chaotic slashes, with splashes of muted yellow and lavender light underneath.

It’s the chaos in my head and heart, and April represents the splashes of light.

I frown.

I absolutely cannot give this to her.

It’s…macabre, to say the least.

Donovan is still behind me, though, his scent muted.

I turn to face him and raise an eyebrow. “It’s okay to be jealous,” I say quietly. “As long as you don’t let it affect your relationship with her.”

But something is off about him. I haven’t seen him like this in years.

It’s like he’s mourning something he hasn’t truly lost.

But he scoffs and shakes his head. “Jealous,” he repeats lowly. “Do I seem jealous to you?”

The bitterness in his tone combined with the haunted look in his eyes tells me yes, he seems jealous.

And I’m tired of it.

April is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. To all of us.

Why can’t he see that?

“You’re acting like somebody died,” I snarl at him. “You’re not acting like a leader. Ever since her Heat, you’ve been sulking and feeling sorry for yourself. This should be one of the happiest times of our life. We found her, Donovan. Wefoundher.”

His expression darkens.

I sound like an asshole, I know. I try not to be one, but when he acts likethis…

We found our mate.

How does he not realize it?