Page 99 of Knot Happening Again

Mace snorts. "That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard. No offense, darlin'."

"None taken," Ophelia murmurs, her voice muffled. I glance over my shoulder to see her face buried in Mace's chest, his chin resting on top of her head.

"Look," Mace says, his voice uncharacteristically gentle as he strokes her hair. "I know you've been through hell. And I know we're not exactly what you expected when you came to Temporary Bonds. But you fit with us, Ophelia. Like a missing puzzle piece we didn't even know we were looking for."

I nod, adding some cheese to the eggs as they cook. "He's right. And we'll keep telling you that until you believe it."

Ophelia lifts her head, looking between us with wide, vulnerable eyes. "I want to," she whispers. "I just... I'm scared."

"That's okay," I tell her, sliding the eggs onto a plate. "We've got time. No pressure, no expectations. Just... let us take care of you for now, alright?"

She nods, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I think I can manage that."

"Good," Mace says, pressing another kiss to the top of her head. "Now, what's this sorry excuse for breakfast Rhys is trying to pass off as food?"

I roll my eyes, setting the plate in front of them. "If you've got complaints, you're welcome to take over."

Mace eyes the eggs critically. "Did you even season these? And where's the bacon? The toast? Come on, Doc, I thought you were supposed to know about nutrition."

"I know enough to tell you that bacon is not an essential nutrient," I retort, reaching for the salt and pepper.

"It's too early for this much noise," Troy's voice calls from down the hall. A moment later, he appears in the doorway, his T-shirt and boxers so rumpled he makes Mace look ready for a black-tie affair. His dark hair is damp from a shower, and he's wearing a fresh T-shirt and jeans.

"The kid up before noon?" Mace asks in feigned shock. "They find a cure for vampirism?"

Troy just flips him off as he shuffles over to the coffee pot. He glances over his shoulder at Ophelia, his gaze softening. "How's our girl doing?"

Ophelia ducks her head, but I catch the pleased smile on her face at Troy's casual claim.

"Better," she says softly. "Thanks to all of you."

Troy grins, leaning against the counter with his mug. "Glad to hear it. So, who the hell let Rhys cook?"

I throw my hands up in exasperation. "That's it. I'm done. Next time, you're all on your own."

Mace chuckles, reaching for a fork. "Aw, don't be like that, Doc. We appreciate the effort. Even if it is a bit... bland."

I watch as he takes a bite, his face scrunching up in an exaggerated grimace. Ophelia giggles, the sound light and musical, and I feel my irritation melt away.

"Fine," I grumble, unable to keep the smile from my face. "You know, my offer stands. If it's not to your standards, we could trade places and you cook."

Mace looks down at Ophelia, still perched on his lap. "Nah," he says, grinning. "I think I'm good right where I am."

Troy rolls his eyes, but there's fondness in his voice when he speaks. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"You're just jealous," Mace retorts, sticking out his tongue.

Maddox finally comes downstairs, and when I see he's freshly showered and dressed in actual clothes, looking far more put together than all of us, I realize why it took him so long. "Good morning," he says, sounding far too chipper at this hour for a man who slept as little as I know he did.

"Something smells great." He stops on his way into the kitchen and kisses Ophelia. "The food, too."

She blushes at his remark, and he settles around the massive counter with the rest of the pack. Well, most of it.

I shake my head, marveling at how quickly things have settled into a sense of normalcy. It's like Ophelia's always been here, filling a void we didn't even realize existed until we met her.

But as I watch her relax into Mace's embrace, laughing at something Troy's said, I can't help but think of Leon. My chest aches with the weight of his absence, the betrayal still raw and stinging.

How could he have done this to any omega, let alone her?

---