Page 187 of Knot Happening Again

"Is creating a diversion," I finish for her. "He'll be fine. Right now, we need to focus on getting you to safety."

She nods, her trust in me evident even as fear clouds her eyes. As we make our way toward the back exit, I can hear Leon's voice outside, loud and angry. It's all an act to keep the press baited, I know, but it still sets my teeth on edge.

We slip out into the cool night air, my parents' car idling nearby. I usher Ophelia into the backseat, sliding in beside her. Mace takes the wheel, with Troy riding shotgun.

As we pull away from the curb, I catch a glimpse of flashing cameras in the rearview mirror. My stomach churns with a mixture of anger and guilt.

How did this happen?

How did they find us?

Ophelia's small hand slips into mine, and I turn to meet her gaze. There's fear there, yes, but also a steely determination that takes my breath away.

"What about Natalie?" she croaks. "We can't leave her."

"Maddox and the others will make sure she's okay," I reassure her, stoking a hair out of her face. "Everyone will be just fine."

She doesn't seem convinced, but she nods. But not before I see the flicker of guilt in her eyes.

She blames herself.

I know she does, even if she won't admit it. And that makes me want to make these bastards pay more than anything.

For now, all I can do is keep her safe and get her home.

CHAPTER 50

OPHELIA

My heart pounds in my chest as I pace the living room, unable to sit still. The others are scattered around, tension radiating off them in waves. Mace stands by the window, peering out through a gap in the curtains every few seconds. Troy sprawls on the couch, his usual cocky demeanor replaced by a tightness around his eyes. Rhys and Maddox hover near me, their concern palpable.

"Effy, sweetheart," Maddox says softly, reaching out to touch my arm. "Why don't you let me give you a massage? It might help you relax."

I shake my head, my stomach churning with anxiety. "I can't. Not until we hear from Leon."

I turn to Rhys, searching his face for reassurance. "Do you think it's a problem that we haven't heard from him yet?"

Rhys forces a smile, but I can see the strain behind it. "I'm sure he's fine, Ophelia. He's probably just leading the paparazzi away from us, making sure they don't follow."

But I can feel the worry radiating off him through our bond. Leon is his bondmate, after all. If anything happened to him...

I shake my head, trying to banish the thought. Leon's fine. He has to be.

The silence in the room is oppressive, broken only by the ticking of the clock and the occasional rustle as someone shifts position. I resume my pacing, unable to stay still. My mind races with worst-case scenarios.

What if the paparazzi cornered him?

What if he lost his temper again and did something he can't take back?

Just as I'm about to suggest we go out looking for him, the front door opens.

We all freeze, holding our collective breath.

Leon steps into the room, looking tired but unharmed. Relief floods through me, so intense it makes me dizzy. Before I can think better of it, I'm rushing toward him, throwing my arms around his neck.

He stiffens for a moment, clearly surprised, before his arms wrap around me, pulling me close. I breathe in his scent—pine and winter air—feeling the tension drain from my body.

My omega instincts to want my whole pack here, home and close and safe, are immediately sated. But there's still so much I don't know. So much that could go wrong, because those vultures out there still can't accept the idea that a pack like this could want someone like me.

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