Page 16 of Knot Happening Again

The first two profiles are of beautiful omega women, both with detailed lists of qualifications and preferences. They're lovely, but I don't feel any real connection as I skim their information. The one is only nineteen and the other just turned twenty-one, so I have a hard time imagining either of them fitting in with the pack. That and the idea of dating a woman who's younger than my little sister makes me uneasy.

Then we get to the third profile, and my breath catches in my throat.

Ophelia.

Even in just a photo, she's stunning. Long raven hair frames a heart-shaped face, and piercing blue eyes seem to stare right through the screen.

I’m immediately smitten.

"Damn," Troy mutters beside me. "She's gorgeous."

Mace grunts in agreement, but Troy quickly adds, "Bet she's high maintenance, though. Probably a real princess."

I shoot him a warning look before turning back to the tablet. As I read through Ophelia's profile, I'm struck by how little she's specified. Unlike the other omegas, who had long and detailed lists of requirements, Ophelia's only preference is for a pack.

"She's twenty-five," I murmur, relieved and curious at once. It's hard to find an omega who isn't snapped up by a pack by her early twenties. Especially one that gorgeous. "I wonder why she hasn't bonded with an alpha yet."

As I scroll further, something else on her profile catches my eye. "Special circumstances?" I look up at Samantha. "What does that mean?"

Samantha's expression grows somber. "Ophelia is... well, she's an omega with a… complicated mating mark."

I feel the blood drain from my face as Troy and Mace exchange confused looks.

"Complicated?" Troy asks, brow furrowed. "What does that mean?"

Before Samantha can answer, the words tumble from my mouth. It can only be one thing. "It means an alpha started the process of marking her, but didn't finish it before abandoning her." My voice is tight with barely contained anger. "It can lead to a painful, even dangerous condition called bond sickness, until the mark is broken by another alpha."

Samantha looks impressed. "You certainly know your stuff, Dr. Thompson."

I clear my throat, suddenly self-conscious. "As a physician, I specialize in omega care," I explain.

Samantha's eyes widen as she glances back at my file. "Oh, that's right! I didn't realize... well, how fortunate the omega you choose will be to have such expert care."

I mumble a thank you, ignoring Troy's snicker and muttered "omega expert" comment.

"So," Samantha continues, "would you like us to arrange a meeting with any of the omegas? Or all of them? Or we can wait, if none of them appeal to you."

"Ophelia," I blurt out before I can stop myself. I feel Troy and Mace staring at me and quickly add, "If you're both in agreement, of course."

Mace nods slowly. "Yeah, she's definitely the one who piqued my curiosity. I'd like to meet her too." He turns to Troy. "What about you, kid?"

"I'm not a damn kid," Troy mutters. "And I don't know about this whole incomplete mating mark thing. Sounds like drama, and you know how Leon feels about—" He breaks off, catching my warning glare. "Yeah, sure, whatever. Let's meet the princess."

Samantha beams at us. "Wonderful! I'll arrange it and call to schedule something if Ophelia agrees to meet with you."

As we leave the office, my mind is racing. I can't stop thinking about Ophelia, about the pain she must have endured. An incomplete mark is no small thing.

"You sure about this, doc?" Troy's voice breaks through my thoughts as we reach the car. "I mean, a broken mark... that's some heavy shit. Thought this was supposed to be a trial thing."

I whirl on him, suddenly defensive. "A broken mark is an alpha's shame, not an omega's," I snap. "It means she was betrayed and abandoned, or possibly forced into a mark she didn't want. She's the victim here, Troy."

Troy holds up his hands, looking chastened. "Whoa, okay. I'm sorry, I didn't know. I just... I worry about Leon, you know? He's already resistant to the whole idea."

I deflate, the fight leaving me as quickly as it came. "I know," I sigh. "You're right, it is complicated. But... I don't know. There's just something about her. I want to at least meet her."

As we climb into the car, I can't shake the feeling that I'm already in too deep. I've never even met this omega, and yet I feel this overwhelming urge to protect her, to care for her.

"What if she doesn't like us?" Mace's question breaks the silence as we pull out of the parking lot. "All of us, I mean."

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