Page 63 of Knot Happening Again

And most importantly, how do I protect Ophelia's heart while we figure all this out?

I don't have the answers.

But I know I need to find them, and soon. Because the longer we wait, the more likely it is that we'll lose Ophelia forever.

And that's a thought I can't bear to entertain.

As I approach my next patient's room, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. But in the back of my mind, a plan starts to form. Maybe it's time to take a moreproactive approach. Maybe it's time to bring everyone together, whether they're ready or not.

Because if there's one thing I've learned in my years as a doctor, it's that sometimes you have to lance the wound to let it heal. And right now, our pack is wounded. It's time to start the healing process, no matter how painful it might be.

With renewed strength, I push open the door to my patient's room. I'll finish my shift, get some rest, and then...

Then, I'll start putting things right.

The restof my shift passes in a blur of patient consultations, deliveries, and paperwork. By the time I clock out, the sun is rising, casting a warm glow over the city. I'm exhausted, my body running on caffeine and sheer willpower.

As I drive home, I can't help but think about Ophelia again.

Is she awake now, getting ready for work?

Or is she still asleep, curled up in her bed?

Does she think about us as much as we think about her?

Does she miss us even a fraction of how much we miss her?

The thought of her alone in her apartment, dealing with the aftermath of her heat and the weight of her past, makes my heart ache. I want nothing more than to wrap her in my arms, to surround her with the love and protection of our pack.

But I know it's not that simple.

We can't rush this, can't force her into anything she's not ready for.

I pull into our driveway, the familiar sight of our pack house both comforting and bittersweet. It feels emptier without Leon, and now, knowing what we're missing without Ophelia, it feels incomplete in a way it never has before.

As I step inside, the scent of coffee greets me. Mace is already up, lumbering around the kitchen. His broad frame is a comforting presence, solid and dependable.

"Morning, Doc," he rumbles, sliding a mug of coffee across the counter to me. "How was the double shift?"

I take the mug gratefully, inhaling the rich aroma. "Long," I admit, taking a sip. "But productive. How are things here?"

Mace shrugs, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Same as yesterday. Troy's holed up in his studio, Maddox is already at the office, and Leon's still MIA."

I nod, feeling the weight of our pack's discord settle on my shoulders once again. "I've been thinking," I say slowly, cradling the warm mug in my hands. "Maybe it's time we took matters into our own hands."

Mace raises an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

I take a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. "We can't keep waiting for Leon to come around, or for Ophelia to make the first move. We need to be proactive. I think... I think we should invite Ophelia over. For dinner, maybe. Give her a chance to meet everyone, to see what we could be as a pack."

Mace is quiet for a moment, considering. "You think she'd go for that this soon?" he asks finally. "She seemed pretty skittish about commitment."

"I don't know," I admit. "But I think we owe it to her—and to ourselves—to try. We can make it clear that there's no pressure, no expectations. Just a chance to get to know each other better."

Mace nods slowly, a smile spreading across his face. "I like it," he says. "It's a good idea. But what about Leon?"

I feel a flicker of guilt at the thought of moving forward without our other pack leader, but I push it aside. "We'll give him a chance to be here," I say firmly. "But if he chooses notto come... well, that's on him. We can't put our lives on hold indefinitely."

Mace's expression grows serious. "You know this could change everything, right? If Leon feels like we're moving forward without him..."

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