Page 73 of Knot Happening Again

I hesitate, looking around. "I'm not sure," I admit. I wasn't really paying attention. Just trying to get as far from Leon as possible. "I'm near the Scent Bar down on Fifth. I—" I stop, realizing how suspicious that might sound.

But I can't think clearly enough to come up with a lie.

Rhys doesn't miss a beat. "Stay where you are," he says firmly. "I'm coming."

As I end the call, I slide down the wall, hugging my knees to my chest. The heat is building, making it hard to think, hard to breathe. I close my eyes, trying to focus on anything other than the desperate need consuming me.

Rhys is coming.

He'll know what to do.

The thought should be comforting, but it sends a fresh wave of panic through me. What if he rejects me when he finds out where I was?

What if he doesn't want me anymore?

I push the thoughts away, forcing myself to take deep breaths. One problem at a time. Right now, I just need to survive this heat.

Everything else can wait.

As I sit there in the dark alley, my body burning from the inside out, I can't help but wonder how I got here. How did my life become so complicated?

And more importantly…

How am I going to get out of this mess?

I don't have the answers.

All I can do is wait and hope that Rhys gets here soon.

Because right now, he's my only hope.

CHAPTER 20

RHYS

Istep out of the house, my heart racing as I fumble with my car keys. The cool night air does nothing to calm the fire of protective instinct burning through my veins.

Ophelia called me.

She needs me.

Nothing else matters right now.

"Rhys! Where are you going?" Troy's voice cuts through my laser focus. I turn to see him jogging down the driveway, concern etched on his face.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to slow down for a moment. "It's Ophelia," I explain quickly. "She called. She's in heat, alone, downtown near some place called the Scent Bar. I need to go get her."

Troy's eyes widen and he immediately starts toward his car. "I'm coming with you."

"No," I say firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "I need you here. Prepare the nest, call the others, get everything ready. She'll need all of us when we get back."

Troy hesitates, clearly torn between wanting to help and go to our omeganowand understanding the importance of what I'm asking. "What about Leon?" he asks.

I clench my jaw, still angry and hurt. "Tell him our omega is in heat and she's coming to nest," I mutter, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "He'll come if he wants."

Without waiting for a response, I climb into my car and peel out of the driveway. As I speed toward downtown, my mind races.

Why is Ophelia near the Scent Bar? From what I saw online, it's some kind of dive bar. And judging from the name and the images in the reviews, it's the kind of place where they're selling more than just drinks.

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