Page 78 of Knot Happening Again

Rhys takes a deep breath, clearly trying to stay calm. I'm having the same problem. "I don't know what game he thinks he's playing, but Ophelia, you'reourscent match. Not his. That's impossible."

Ophelia bites her lip, looking uncertain. "It would explain a lot about how I feel around you guys," she says softly. "But how did I not realize it sooner?"

Rhys's expression softens. "I think the suppressants messed with your ability to recognize it. Maybe the mark, too." He pauses, his voice gentle when he continues. "Speaking of which, that's something we would all be happy to take care of, if and when you're ready. By replacing it with our mark."

I watch as Ophelia's cheeks flush, her scent spiking with a mixture of desire and uncertainty. "You don't know me," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Troy steps forward, his usually guarded expression open and earnest. "We know you're ours."

I can see how touched Ophelia is by his words, but there's still something holding her back. She looks around at all of us, her eyes lingering on the empty space where our fifth member should be. "What about the other alpha in your pack?"

We all exchange a look, and I can see the pain and irritation in Rhys's eyes at the mention of Leon. He takes a deep breath before answering. "He's going through some stuff right now, but he'll be here. He'll feel the same way we do, I'm sure of it."

Ophelia shakes her head, her voice small and scared. "He wouldn't if he knew the truth. None of you would."

The room falls silent, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. I feel a surge of protectiveness, wanting to reassure her that nothing could change how we feel. But I can see the fear in her eyes, the way she's bracing herself for rejection.

I step forward, sitting on the edge of the bed next to her. "Ophelia," I say gently, "whatever it is you're afraid to tell us, it doesn't change the fact that you're our match. We're here for you, all of us."

She looks at me, her blue eyes swimming with unshed tears. "You can't know that," she whispers.

Mace moves closer, his large frame somehow less intimidating as he kneels beside the bed. "Little one, we've all got pasts. We've all done things we're not proud of. But that's what pack is for—to support each other, no matter what."

Troy nods in agreement. "Whatever it is, we can handle it."

Rhys takes Ophelia's hand again, his thumb rubbing soothing circles on her skin. "Why don't you tell us what'sworrying you so much? I promise, we'll listen without judgment."

Ophelia takes a shaky breath, looking around at all of us. I can see the moment she makes her decision, her shoulders squaring as if preparing for a blow. "Okay," she says softly.

There's defeat in her tone. As if she thinks our reaction and subsequent rejection is a guarantee. I wish I could just come out and say we all know and it doesn't change a damn thing, but I don't want to risk scaring her off or embarrassing her.

Ophelia takes one final deep breath and begins to speak. "The place near where Rhys picked me up tonight… the Scent Bar? I work there. At least, I did. I went there tonight to pick up my last check. I've been working there for the past few years, and places like it before that, ever since..." She trails off, her eyes distant. "Ever since my family disowned me because of the incomplete mark."

I hear Mace's low growl and see Troy's fists clench, but we all stay silent, letting Ophelia continue.

"It started with just bartending, but then... I started taking clients. Alphas in rut who needed an omega's scent to get through it." She looks down at her hands, unable to meet our eyes. "I'm not proud of it, but it was the only way I could survive. My heat... it's so painful because of the incomplete mark. The suppressants barely worked, and I couldn't afford them half the time anyway. So I did what I had to do. But if you can't accept an omega like that, I get it. Trust me."

The room is silent for a moment, the weight of her confession hanging in the air. I feel a surge of anger—not at Ophelia, but at the circumstances that forced her into that situation. At the alpha who abandoned her, at the family who turned their backs on her.

Rhys is the first to speak, his voice soft but firm, a hair's breadth away from an alpha bark. "Ophelia, look at me." Sheraises her eyes slowly, fear and shame evident in her gaze. "You havenothingto be ashamed of. You did what you had to do to survive. That shows strength, not weakness."

Mace nods, his expression fierce. "That asshole who left you and your so-called family—they're the ones who should be ashamed. Not you."

Troy runs a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "I wish we'd found you sooner," he says. "You shouldn't have had to go through that alone."

I walk over to sit on the edge of the bed and reach out, taking Ophelia's free hand in mine. "Thank you for trusting us with this, beautiful," I say softly. "It doesn't change how we feel about you. If anything, it makes us want to protect you even more."

Ophelia looks around at all of us, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You... you're not disgusted? You don't want me to leave?"

Rhys pulls her into a gentle embrace, and even I can smell the comforting alpha pheromones he's releasing. "Never," he says firmly. "You're ours, Ophelia. Nothing will change that."

I watch as Ophelia breaks down, her body shaking with sobs as she clings to Rhys. Mace and Troy move closer, each placing a comforting hand on her back. I squeeze her hand, trying to convey all the support and acceptance I can through that simple touch.

As we surround our omega, our missing piece, I feel a sense of rightness settle over me. This is what pack is supposed to be—unconditional love and support, no matter what. And even though we're still missing one member, I know somehow we'll all find a way to come together. Around her. For her.

Ophelia's sobs eventually quiet, and she pulls back slightly, wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry," she mumbles. "I don't know what came over me."

"Don't apologize," I say gently. "You've been carrying this weight for so long. It's okay to let it out."

---