Chapter 42

The sensation of Jin’s knot releasing from within me was a subtle shift in pressure, a gentle withdrawal that left me feeling oddly empty, even as the warmth of his seed lingered between my thighs. He stirred beside me, the movement drawing a soft whimper of protest from my lips, a sound that was equal parts need and contentment.

Jin shifted slightly, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead before he slipped out of our nest. I watched through heavy-lidded eyes as he moved across the room, his toned muscles flexing with each step he took. In his hands were large ziplock bags that I hadn’t noticed before, filled with what looked like ripped garments, their edges frayed and colors faded.

He returned to my side, his dark eyes meeting mine as he handed me the bags. There was a shyness to his movements, a nervousness that was so at odds with the confident, powerful alpha I had come to know. It touched something inside of me, a softness that I had only ever shown to a precious few.

“I thought… maybe you could use these,” Jin said, his voice a soft whisper that caressed my senses. He held my gaze, his own filled with a vulnerability that made my heart ache.

I accepted the offerings, the aroma of worn cloth wafting up to envelop me as I unfolded the bundles. It was the scent of my alphas, each one as distinct and intoxicating as the next.

I looked up at Jin, my eyes brimming with tears as I clutched the bags to my chest. “This… this is perfect,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, Jin.”

As if on cue, Jin produced two large crochet hooks from his pocket, their size and shape perfectly suited for the task of weaving the fabric into something new, something that would be uniquely mine. The gesture was so thoughtful, so utterly sincere, that it broke something inside of me.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I set the bags aside and threw my arms around Jin’s neck, holding him close as I let the tears fall. He held me tightly, his hands stroking my hair as he murmured words of comfort in my ear.

“I wanted you to have something of ours, something that would remind you of home, of us,” Jin said softly, his breath a warm whisper against my skin. “I know it’s not much, but I hoped it might help you feel more at ease here.”

I pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, my own shining with unshed tears. “It’s more than enough,” I assured him, my voice steadier now. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

I reached for the bags once more, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric as I imagined the blankets I would create. Each stitch would be a testament to the bond I shared with my alphas, a tangible representation of the love and trust that was growing between us.

Jin’s thoughtfulness had touched a part of me that I had long thought lost, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there could be moments of pure, unadulterated joy. With the scent of my alphas surrounding me and the promise of a new beginning at my fingertips, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be.