Page 161 of Knot Happening Again

He squeezes my hand once more before letting go. "Anytime. Now, eat your dinner before Rhys comes after both of us with his judgy doctor face."

I laugh, the sound rusty but genuine. "We can't have that."

As I eat, Maddox fills me in on the latest pack news. The media frenzy around Leon's fight and subsequent press conference is still in full swing, but Maddox has been working overtime on damage control.

"It's a circus out there," he says, shaking his head. "But we're handling it. Don't you worry about a thing."

I push the empty plate away, guilt gnawing at me again. "I should be helping. It's partly my fault?—"

"Nope," Maddox cuts me off. "None of that. This isn't on you. Not even a tiny bit, so don't let me hear you blaming yourself again."

Before I can argue, there's another knock at the door. This time, I recognize the scent immediately.

Honey and sandalwood.

Rhys.

"Come in," I call, my voice steadier than before.

Rhys enters, his green eyes sweeping over me with a doctor's practiced gaze. "Everything okay in here?" he asks, his tone light but concern evident in the set of his shoulders.

"We're good," Maddox answers for me. "Just having a chat."

Rhys nods, some of the tension leaving his body. I feel guilty for keeping him and the rest of the pack at a distance. For making them worry. Especially when our bond is still so new and fragile, but that vulnerability is making me want to push them away even more. It's the only thing I really know how to do to protect myself.

“Good,” he says. “I was hoping you might join us downstairs.Ifyou're up for it.”

I hesitate, my instinct to retreat warring with the newfound sense of belonging Maddox has awakened. "I... what for?"

"Nothing major," Rhys assures me. "We're just watching a movie."

The offer is casual, no pressure. But I can see the hope in Rhys's eyes, smell it in his scent.

They want me there.

They want me to be part of the pack.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "Okay," I say. "Yeah, I'd like that."

The smile that breaks across Rhys's face is like the sun coming out from behind clouds. "Great! We'll be downstairs whenever you're ready."

As they leave, I turn back to my sculpture. The twisted, broken figure stares back at me. With gentle hands, I smooth out some of the harsh lines, softening the edges. It's still broken, still imperfect. But maybe that's okay. Maybe it doesn't have to be anything else right now.

I clean up quickly and head downstairs, my heart pounding with each step. The sound of laughter and conversation drifts up from the living room, growing louder as I approach.

I pause in the doorway, taking in the scene. Rhys and Maddox are on the couch, arguing good-naturedly about what movie to watch.

And there, in the armchair by the window, is Leon.

Our eyes meet, and I feel the pull of the bond between us. His emotions wash over me. All his hope, all his longing, all his regret. I know he can feel mine too, the complicated tangle of fear and anger and something else I'm not ready to name.

For a moment, I consider turning back. Retreating to the safety of my studio. But then Leon smiles, soft and gentle, and I find myself smiling back.

Just a little.

Things can't go back to the way they were between us before, and the mark doesn't change that. But… at least it feels like we're on more equal footing now.

Like I'm not the only one with something to lose.

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