Page 153 of Knot Happening Again

Her eyes flutter open, confusion clouding her gaze. "Wha... where...?" she mumbles, trying to sit up.

Rhys places a gentle hand on her shoulder, easing her back down. "Shh, it's okay, Ophelia. You're safe. Do you remember where you are?"

She blinks slowly, her eyes roaming around the room. Recognition dawns on her face, followed quickly by panic. "The press... they know... I can't..."

"It's okay," Rhys soothes, his voice low and calming. "You're safe here. No one can get to you."

I move closer, unable to stay away any longer. "We've got you, Effy," I add, trying to infuse my voice with all the comfort and reassurance I can muster. “You don't have to face this alone. You’re going to be okay.”

Her gaze flickers between me and Leon. For a moment, I worry she's forgotten why he's here. She's not thinking clearly. "You beat up that reporter," she murmurs to him.

He gives a stiff laugh. "Yeah, I did. I'd say I'm sorry, but… I'm not."

Her brow knits together. "You're going to get in trouble."

"Don't worry about that," he pleads with her, sweeping a strand of sweat damp hair out of her face before quickly pulling his hand back. "I've been through worse. And it was worth it, for the record."

She gives a small sniff, but her amusement is quickly replaced by something I realize is shame. "He was right. I hardsome girls talking about me in the bathroom. It was only a matter of time before it got out. I don't know who told them, but it's going to affect you." She looks at each of us in turn. "All of you."

"It doesn't matter what anyone thinks, darling," I assure her, walking over to be as close as I can without getting in Rhys's way. "You're ours."

"He's right," Leon agrees. "The only reason every member of this pack isn't shouting it from the rooftop is because we know how those assholes can be. The press is… ruthless. And they're always hungry for a story. We didn't want you exposed to that. Tonight is why."

"But they're right," she insists weakly, tears slipping down her cheeks. "I'm an embarrassment. The Carver pack, picking a used up omega? It's a fucking joke, scent matching or not."

"No," Leon snarls, his alpha bark echoing through the room.

Even Troy and Rhys feel it.

I can tell from the way their postures stiffen.

Ophelia just stares at him, stunned.

Leon holds her gaze and reaches out, cupping her cheek in his palm. "Let me make one thing clear, Ophelia. I have so many fucking regrets. Regrets I've lived with every day for the last seven years. But you? You were theonlything in my life worth being proud of back then. And I've tried all these years to become someone who deserved you, just in case I ever got another chance. But I failed in that, too. I don't give a shit what some asshole reporter says. You belong with this pack. You're the center of it already. You were always meant to be. And you should have been, from the very start."

"He's right," Rhys says gently. "You're ours, Effy. We didn't want to overwhelm you, but now that it's out, the more people who know that, the better."

Ophelia's eyes dart between us, her expression a mix of confusion and exhaustion. She opens her mouth as if to argue, but the words seem to die on her lips. Her eyelids droop, the fever clearly taking its toll.

Rhys leans in, his voice gentle but firm. "Ophelia, beautiful, try to stay awake. We need to get you stable enough to go to the hospital. Your condition is serious."

The effect is immediate. Ophelia's eyes fly open, panic replacing the fatigue.

"No," she croaks, her voice raw. "No hospitals. Please."

My heart clenches at the fear in her voice. I reach out, taking her hand in mine. “We need to make sure you're okay…”

She shakes her head vehemently, tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't... I can't face them. The cameras, the questions... Please, I just want to go home."

We exchange glances, the weight of her plea hanging heavy in the air. I know we're all thinking the same thing.

How can we deny her this when she's already been through so much?

Rhys runs a hand through his long hair, his expression torn. "There is... one other option," he says slowly, his eyes flicking to Leon.

I follow his gaze, realization dawning.

Oh.

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