Page 54 of Knot Happening Again

Dropping my bags by the door, I take a moment to straighten my suit. It's wrinkled from the flight, but it's one of my favorites. A deep plum I had custom made in Italy. I run a hand through my dark hair, trying to tame it into some semblance of order.

The house feels occupied, but there's no sign of life. It's not unusual for everyone to be off doing their own thing, but it strikes me how much we sometimes feel like roommates rather than a pack. Even though three of us work together, we're lacking that center that pulls us all together.

I'm about to call out when Rhys appears, a warm smile lighting up his face. He pulls me into a tight hug, his familiar scent enveloping me.

"Welcome home," he says, his voice warm and genuine. "You're earlier than we expected."

I return the hug, feeling some of the tension drain from my shoulders. "Thanks, Rhys. Yeah, the flight arrived sooner than I thought it would."

Rhys pulls back, his brow furrowing slightly as he glances behind me. "Where's Leon?"

The question catches me off guard. I'd assumed Leon would have given his mate more details about his plans. Awkwardness settles over me as I realize I'm caught in the middle of something I don't fully understand.

"I'm not really sure," I say, trying to keep my voice casual. "He said he had some personal business to take care of before he came back. Probably planning a surprise or something for your upcoming birthday."

Rhys's expression softens, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Ah. I see. Well, I won't pry then." He gestures toward the kitchen. "Mace went out to the store to get some ingredients for your homecoming dinner. He should be home soon. Troy's holed up in his studio, as usual."

I nod, grateful for the change of subject. "How did the heat go?" I ask, unable to contain my curiosity about the omega we've all been hearing about.

Rhys's green eyes light up. "It went great," he says, clearly excited. "How much did Leon tell you?"

I shrug, trying to recall the sparse details Leon had shared. "Not much, just that it's an omega you hooked up with from that Temporary Bonds place you've been discussing."

Rhys's smile widens. "Let me pour you a glass of wine, and we can discuss things."

Curiosity piqued, I follow him into the kitchen. Rhys moves with practiced ease, pulling out a bottle of red and two glasses. I settle onto one of the barstools at the island, watching as he pours.

"So," Rhys says, sliding a glass toward me. "There's something you should know about Ophelia."

I take a sip of wine, savoring the rich flavor. "Oh?"

Rhys takes a deep, nervous breath. "She's our scent match."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I set my glass down carefully, staring at Rhys. "Seriously? How do you know?"

Rhys's smile turns soft, almost dreamy. "It's the kind of thing you just know," he says. "But you don't have to take my word for it. Come on, I'll show you."

Curious and a little apprehensive, I follow Rhys upstairs to the nesting room that's been sitting completely untouched since we moved in. As he pushes open the door, a wave of scent hits me like a freight train. As a beta, I'm not usually as profoundly impacted by omega scents as alphas are.

But this... this is different.

The scent of jasmine and ocean air overloads my senses, intoxicating and all-consuming. It's like nothing I've ever experienced before.

"Holy shit," I mutter, gripping the doorframe for support.

Rhys gives me a knowing look from where he's leaning against the opposite side of the door. "The others and I felt the same way."

I take a few steps into the room, letting the scent wash over me. It's everywhere—in the sheets, the pillows, the very air itself. I can't imagine how intense it must have been for the alphas if this is how it affects me.

"How did she react when you met?" I ask, turning back to Rhys.

His expression grows more serious. "I don't think she knows yet."

Confusion creases my brow. "How is that possible? Even after her heat?"

Rhys sighs, running a hand through his auburn hair. "The experience of matching isn't always as strong for omegas as it is for alphas," he explains. "But Ophelia's situation is... complicated."

I lean against the wall, sensing there's more to this story. "Complicated how?"

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