Page 166 of Knot Happening Again

"I rescued his ass, so I call dibs," Maddox says, darting past Mace before he can even respond.

The bigger alpha growls, dropping into the empty chair beside me, grumbling about cocky betas. I give him a sympathetic look.

"I'm gonna go grab us a few bottles of water," Troy pants, his eyes still pleasure glazed as he pulls on a pair of boxers. "Long night ahead."

Longer than any night in my entire fucking life.

I don't know how long I sit there, watching as they take turns pleasuring Ophelia. Time loses all meaning, measured only in the rise and fall of her cries, the ebb and flow of her scent.

Through it all, I remain in the chair, a silent sentinel because she wants me there. Because I can't bring myself to tear away. My arousal is a constant ache, my lust a restless presence beneath my skin.

But I don't move.

I don't speak.

I just watch.

Because this is my punishment. To see what I could have had, what I threw away. To know that Ophelia is finally experiencing a heat without pain, but not with me.

As the night wears on, exhaustion starts to set in. Ophelia's movements become slower, her cries softer. The others take turns with me getting her water, feeding her small bites of food.

I stand, my joints protesting after hours of stillness. "I'll get more supplies," I mutter, needing an excuse to leave, to breathe air that isn't thick with sex and pheromones that are driving me wild.

But as I reach the door, Ophelia's voice stops me. "Leon."

I turn, meeting her gaze. She looks utterly debauched, hair a mess, skin flushed and marked with love bites. But her eyes are clear, focused on me with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

"Thank you," she says softly. "For staying."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

As I slip out of the room, closing the door behind me, I lean against the wall, taking deep breaths.

I don't know what this means. I don't know if anything has changed between us. But for the first time in years, I feel a flicker of hope.

Maybe there's a chance for redemption after all.

CHAPTER 45

OPHELIA

Troy's fingers trace lazy circles on my hip, his touch both soothing and electrifying. Mace's arm is draped over my waist, his large frame a comforting presence at my back. Maddox is curled up at my feet, his head resting on my calf.

The nest is a tangle of limbs and blankets, our scents mingling in a heady cocktail that makes my head spin. Leon and Rhys both slipped out a while ago, the former probably to give me some space and the latter to take an urgent call from work, but I'm still surrounded by alphas.

Safe and warm.

My heat is waning, but the need still thrums through my veins. It's different now, though. Not the desperate, clawing ache it was before, but a warm, pulsing desire. I blink slowly, coming fully awake, and realize what I want.

What I need.

"I want you all to mark me," I say, my voice hoarse from overuse.

Troy's hand stills on my hip. Mace's arm tightens around me. Maddox lifts his head, his blue eyes wide and alert.

"Are you sure, princess?" Troy asks, his voice low and gravelly. "Maybe we should wait until your heat's over."

I shake my head, pushing myself up on my elbows. "No. I'm sure. I want this. I want all of you."

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