Page 65 of Knot Happening Again

But for now, I let myself bask in this moment of hope. We've taken the first step. Ophelia is giving us a chance. And I'm determined to make the most of it.

As I head upstairs to get some much-needed sleep, my mind is already racing with plans.

We'll make this dinner perfect.

We'll show Ophelia exactly what she means to us, what she could have as part of our pack.

For the first time in weeks, I fall asleep with a smile on my face, dreaming of a future where Ophelia is by our side, where our pack is whole and happy. It's a beautiful dream.

And I'm more determined than ever to make it a reality.

CHAPTER 17

OPHELIA

Istand in the dressing room of a cute little boutique, surrounded by a sea of silky fabrics and sparkling sequins. The harsh fluorescent lighting does me no favors, highlighting the dark circles under my eyes and the tension in my shoulders. I've been trying on dresses for what feels like hours, each one either too tight, too loose, too short, or too long.

Nothing feels right.

"Ophelia? You alive in there?" Natalie's voice filters through the curtain, tinged with amusement and impatience.

I sigh, running a hand through my tangled hair. "Unfortunately," I call back, shimmying out of yet another ill-fitting dress. "This one's a no-go too."

Natalie pokes her head around the curtain, her red curls bouncing with the movement. Her brown eyes scan my half-naked form, a mix of sympathy and determination in her gaze. "Don't worry, we'll find something. There's got to be a perfect dress in this store somewhere."

I give her a weak smile, grateful for her unwavering optimism. Natalie's been my rock through everything, My forayinto escort work, and now this... whatever this is with the Carver pack.

"Thanks for coming with me today," I say, reaching for my own clothes. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Natalie waves off my gratitude with a grin. "Please, like I'd miss this. It's not every day my best friend gets to meet her potential pack for the first time. Well, officially meet them, anyway."

I freeze, my shirt halfway over my head. "It's not... I mean, they're not..." I stammer, unable to find the right words.

Natalie's expression softens. She steps fully into the dressing room, closing the curtain behind her. In the small space, I catch her familiar scent. Vanilla and cinnamon, warm and comforting. "Hey," she says gently, "talk to me. What's going on in that head of yours?"

I finish pulling on my shirt, buying myself a moment to gather my thoughts. "I'm just... I'm nervous," I admit finally. "What if they don't like me? What if they change their minds once they really get to know me?"

Natalie puts her hands on my shoulders, forcing me to meet her gaze. "Ophelia Thompson, you listen to me. Those alphas would be lucky to have you. And from what you've told me, they already adore you."

I bite my lip, the guilt I've been carrying for weeks bubbling up to the surface. "But they don't know everything," I whisper. "I haven't told them about... about my job."

Understanding dawns in Natalie's eyes. She knows better than anyone the stigma that comes with working at places like the Scent Bar.

"Are you planning to tell them?" she asks carefully.

I nod, my stomach churning at the thought. "I have to, don't I? If there's any chance of this... whatever it is... working out, I can't start it with lies."

Natalie squeezes my shoulders reassuringly. "That's very brave of you," she says. "And mature. But... have you thought about what might happen if they ask you to stop working there?”

The question hits me like a punch to the gut. I've been so focused on the act of telling them, I haven't really considered the potential consequences. "I... I don't know," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't enjoy the work. You know that. But..."

"But you don't want to rely on alphas," Natalie finishes for me, knowing me too well.

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Is that stupid? To potentially give up something good because I'm too afraid to let go of something I hate?"

Natalie's quiet for a moment, considering her words carefully. "What if these alphas are different?" she asks gently. "What if they don't want to control you or make you dependent on them? What if they just want to support you, to give you the freedom to pursue what you really want? Like your art?"

Art.

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