Page 73 of Knot the One They Want

She is our omega. Our scent match. Our destiny. And if he can't accept her as those things, I can't see a way we can continue as pack. As much as it hurts to even think about, Evie won't be the one who leaves.

Not this time.

I push the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. We work in companionable silence, arranging and rearranging the nesting materials until they're just right. Until the bed is a plush, inviting oasis, the perfect place for our omega to rest and heal.

Physically and emotionally.

A car door slams outside, jolting us out of our focused trance. Asher must be back with Evie.

My heart lodges in my throat. This is it. The moment of truth. The beginning of our long, arduous journey to a sliver of a chance at redemption.

We exchange loaded glances, a silent conversation passing between us.

Are we ready for this?

Can we really be the alphas Evie needs?

The mates she deserves?

I don't know. I'm not sure any of us do. But we have to try. For her sake, and for ours.

It's time to welcome our omega home.

CHAPTER 35

EVIE

Asher opens the car door for me as we pull up to the pack mansion, his movements gentle and doting. He wouldn't even let me walk out of the hospital to his car pulled up at the curb and insisted on carrying me out of the wheelchair. I guess the princess treatment isn't that bad, even if the one-eighty is giving me whiplash.

I can't help but think it's too bad the alphas couldn't have been like this from the beginning.

But now? I don't trust them, and I certainly don't believe their sudden change of heart is genuine. And even if it is, I'm pretty sure they only care because they feel guilty for almost killing me.

Not exactly the basis for a healthy relationship.

But I'm putting all that aside, for now at least. I'm going to give them another chance—not at my heart, but at least at trying to make this whole mating thing work—if only to avoid disappointing my family. Even if they could only be bothered to send flowers because they were on an impromptu vacation they didn't even tell me about.

I always suspected it would be a matter of "out of sight, out of mind" when I moved away from home, but having thatconfirmed is a bitter pill to swallow. At least Lily has been texting me and even called earlier to see how I was doing, and we’re planning on grabbing lunch soon, so I know at leastonemember of my family actually gives a damn.

Exhaustion weighs heavy on my limbs as I walk through the front door after managing to convince Asher I could walk just fine, but I'm immediately greeted by the scent of my favorite food and the sight of my favorite flowers everywhere.

A banner hangs in the foyer, proclaiming "Welcome Home, Evie!" in bright, cheerful letters. Lake, Cole, and even Damien are gathered to welcome me, and Damien offers a faint smile, though I can tell he's still distant.

Surprise flickers through me as I take in the unexpected display. "Asher didn't mention this," I say, glancing up at him with a raised brow.

He grins, his eyes twinkling. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

Lake steps forward, his expression hopeful. "We cooked your favorite meal," he says, gesturing toward the dining room.

I stare at him in disbelief. "How do you even know what my favorite meal is?"

Cole clears his throat, looking vaguely uncomfortable. "We might have had some help from Addison," he admits.

I snort, shaking my head. Of course they did. Typical Addie, always looking out for me.

"I have a hard time believing any of you actually cooked," I say dryly, eyeing them with skepticism.

As if on cue, Lori bustles into the room, her face split in a wide, beaming smile. "It's true, Miss Evie. They insisted on doing it all themselves. We had to throw out a few soufflés, and there was much supervision, but they were determined."

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