Page 104 of Knot Happening Again

I answer, my voice rough. "Hey, what's up?"

"Leon," Rhys says, his tone carefully neutral. "You got a minute?"

"Yeah, of course." I grab my bag and head for the exit, nodding a quick goodbye to Tony. "Everything okay?"

There's a pause, and I can picture Rhys on the other end, choosing his words carefully. "Ophelia's agreed to talk to you."

The world tilts on its axis. I lean against the gym's exterior wall, my legs suddenly weak. "She... what?"

"She's willing to meet with you," Rhys repeats. "But she has a condition."

Of course she does. I close my eyes, bracing myself. "What is it?"

"She wants me there too. The three of us, together."

The words hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. I knew it was coming, but it still knocks the wind out of me. "Okay."

"I know it's not ideal," Rhys says quickly. "But it's honestly a surprise she's willing to talk to you at all."

"Yeah," I manage. "No, you're right. It's... it's good. When does she want to meet?"

"Tomorrow evening, if you're free. At the house."

Our house. The one I haven't set foot in since this whole mess started. The one where Ophelia's been living, healing, bonding with the rest of the pack while I've been... what? Hiding? Running? Both?

"I'll be there," I say, because what elsecanI say?

"Good," Rhys replies, and I can hear the relief in his voice. "Leon, this is your chance. Don't?—"

"Blow it?" I finish for him, a bitter laugh escaping me. "Yeah, I know. Trust me, I know."

There's an awkward silence, and then Rhys sighs. "Just... be honest with her, okay? That's all any of us wants."

The call ends, and I'm left staring at my phone, feeling like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff. One wrong move and I'll fall, shattering everything I've built, everything I care about.

But maybe I deserve to fall.

I make my way home in a daze, barely registering the familiar streets and buildings. My apartment feels cold and empty when I walk in, a stark contrast to the warmth and life I know fills the pack house.

As I strip off my sweaty clothes and step into the shower, I try to prepare myself for tomorrow. What will I say to her? How can I possibly explain or justify what I did?

The hot water beats down on my shoulders, but it does nothing to ease the tension coiled in my muscles. I close my eyes, letting my forehead rest against the cool tile.

"I'm sorry," I whisper, practicing the words I know I'll need to say. "I was young and scared and stupid. I didn't understand what I was throwing away."

But the words sound hollow, even to my own ears. They're true, but they're not enough. Not nearly enough to make up for the pain I caused, the years I stole from her.

I step out of the shower and catch sight of myself in the mirror. The man staring back at me looks tired, haunted. Is this what Ophelia will see tomorrow? A broken, regretful alpha who couldn't handle the responsibility of a mate?

No. I can't let that happen. I may not deserve her forgiveness, but I owe it to her to at least show her that I've changed. That I'm not that selfish kid anymore.

I have to do this right.

CHAPTER 31

OPHELIA

The grandfather clock in the corner ticks away, each second stretching into eternity. My fingers curl around the delicate china teacup Rhys handed me moments ago, the warmth seeping into my palms. I stare at the amber liquid, watching the steam rise in lazy spirals.

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