Page 162 of Knot Happening Again

I take a step into the room, then another. The conversation falters as they notice me, but quickly picks back up, like none of them want to spook me.

There's an empty spot on the couch between Maddox and Rhys. I settle into it, tucking my feet up under me. Maddox throws an arm around my shoulders, casual and comforting. Rhys settles on my other side, and I lean into him.

"So," I say, my voice only shaking a little. "What are we watching?"

As the debate over movie choices resumes, I let the warmth of the pack—mypack—wash over me.

It's not perfect.

We're all still figuring this out, still healing.

But for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

CHAPTER 44

LEON

The flickering light from the TV casts shadows across Ophelia's face, highlighting the curve of her cheek, the arch of her brow. I can't focus on the movie. My eyes keep drifting to her, drawn like a magnet to steel.

She shifts in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs. A faint sheen of sweat glistens on her forehead. The air grows thick with her scent, ocean blue and bliss.

My mouth waters.

Her scent has always been a siren's song that haunts me, even in my sleep, and now that I've marked her, now that I've been with her—with anyone—for the first time in seven years, that hasn't changed. If anything, the longing has only grown more intense.

But I know that no matter what my inner alpha thinks, the completed mark on her neck doesn't mean things have truly changed between us. Only that now, I can finally take the burden that was never hers to bear.

And if she wants to…

She can crush me the way I deserve.

Rhys notices too. His nostrils flare, green eyes widening as he glances from Ophelia to me.

"Effy," he says softly. "Are you feeling okay?"

She blinks, looking dazed. "I... I don't know. I feel strange."

Maddox leans forward, concern etched on his face. "Strange how?"

"Hot," she murmurs. "And... tingly."

Realization dawns. My heart races. "You're going into heat," I say, my voice rougher than I intend.

Ophelia's eyes widen in panic. "No, that's impossible. It's not…"

But her scent betrays her words. It grows stronger by the second, filling the room with pheromones that make my head spin.

"You're newly marked," Rhys murmurs thoughtfully. "Even if you're not due for a heat yet, that can throw things out of whack. Come on," he says gently. "Let's get you into the nest."

We all spring into action.

Rhys helps Ophelia to her feet while Maddox rushes to prepare the nest. I stand to him, refusing to hover uselessly, and plan to start collecting fresh linens and blankets even though I know damn well I'm not going to be joining them. But I can keep watch from a distance. Make sure she has what she needs, and the others have what they need to tend to our mate properly.

Theirmate, I remind myself.

As we guide her up the stairs, Ophelia stumbles. I catch her instinctively, my arm wrapping around her waist. She gasps at the contact, her skin burning through the thin fabric of her shirt.

"I don't understand," she whispers. "It doesn't hurt."

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