Page 8 of Knot Happening Again

"Everything okay?" I ask, forcing my voice to remain steady.

Rhys nods, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, she's fine. Just anxious, poor thing. It's her first baby."

I swallow hard, pushing down the lump in my throat. "Listen, Rhys, I was wondering..."

He looks at me expectantly, his eyes so full of trust and affection. It makes what I'm about to do even harder.

"What's for dinner?" he offers before I can continue. "Me, too. I'm starving."

I clear my throat. "Actually, Maddox is busy tonight, so he didn't cook. I was thinking maybe we could go out? Just the two of us? We've both been so busy lately, it might be nice to catch up."

Rhys's face lights up. "That sounds perfect. Give me a second to change out of these scrubs?"

I nod, forcing a smile. "Take your time. I'll be here."

As Rhys heads upstairs, I sink onto the couch, my head in my hands. The weight of what I'm about to do threatens to crush me. How do I even begin to explain? How do I tell Rhys I've been lying to him since the day we met?

I think about Ophelia, about the pain I must have caused her. Then I think about Rhys, the pack we've formed together.

I'm about to risk it all.

But I have to. I can't keep living with this secret. I can't keep pretending to be someone I'm not.

I hear Rhys's footsteps on the stairs and I stand, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans. This is it. No turning back now.

As he comes into view in a crisp button-down and slacks, I steel myself. Whatever happens next, I know one thing for certain: our lives will never be the same after tonight.

As we step out into the cool evening air, I can't help but feel a sense of dread settling in my stomach. The weight of my impending confession hangs heavy between us, even as Rhys talks about his day, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.

We climb into my car, a sleek black sports car that still smells faintly of new leather. As I start the engine, Rhys falls silent, his expression suddenly pensive.

"Leon," he says, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant. "There's actually something I've been wanting to talk to you about. To the whole pack, really, but... I think we should discuss it first."

My heart skips a beat. "Oh?" I manage, trying to keep my voice steady. "What is it?"

Rhys shakes his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Not until dinner. And wine. Definitely wine."

I don't argue. Truth be told, I could use a drink or two myself before dropping my bombshell. "Alright," I agree, pulling out of the driveway. "Dinner and wine it is."

The drive to the restaurant is quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I can't help but wonder what Rhys wants to talk about. Is it about the omega situation?

Has he sensed my reluctance?

Or is it something else entirely?

We arrive at the restaurant, a cozy pub we've been to a thousand times before. As we're seated at a booth in the back, I can't help but think this might be the last time he ever looks at me as anything other than a monster.

We order drinks—a bold red wine for me, a crisp white for Rhys—and some appetizers. As we wait, the tension between usis palpable. We both open our mouths to speak at the same time, then stop, laughing nervously.

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "You first," I manage, reaching for my wine glass. "Whatever you have to say, it can't be worse than what I need to tell you."

Rhys raises an eyebrow at that, but doesn't push. Instead, he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a glossy brochure. He slides it across the table to me, his fingers lingering on the paper for a moment.

"I know things have been... tense lately," he says softly. "And I know you're not sure about bringing an omega into the pack. But I think I might have found a compromise. Something that could work for all of us."

I frown, confused. I pick up the brochure, my eyes widening as I look at the sleek, modern logo on the front. It's a group of four alphas in silhouette, surrounded by the omega symbol tying them all together. A bit on the nose, but it gets the point across, I guess. "Temporary Bonds?" I ask, looking up at Rhys. "What is this?"

Rhys leans forward, his eyes bright with excitement. "It's a new agency," he explains. "They specialize in matching unmated omegas with compatible alphas or packs for short-term arrangements. Mostly to help omegas through difficult heats, but also for alphas who aren't ready for a permanent commitment."

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