Page 148 of Knot Happening Again

And so quickly?

"No comment," I growl, searching for Maddox in the crowd.

Where the fuck is he?

But the vultures smell blood in the water.

They press closer, microphones thrust in my face.

"Is it true she's an escort?"

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Red bleeds into my vision and time seems to slow to a crawl like it does in the ring.

"Excuse me?" I grit out.

"How do you feel about having an omega half the other alphas in the city have had?" the reporter clarifies.

Something in me snaps.

With a roar, I lunge at the reporter who asked the question. My fist connects with his jaw, sending him sprawling. I'm on him in an instant, raining down blows.

"Don't youeverfucking talk about her like that!" I snarl, punctuating each word with a punch even as his broken teeth cut up my knuckles.

Hands grab at me, trying to pull me off.

I shake them away, lost in a haze of rage.

"Leon! Leon, stop!"

Mace's voice cuts through the fog. His meaty arms wrap around me, hauling me back. I struggle against him, snarling.

"Let me go!"

"Not a chance, kid," Mace grunts. “I’m not letting you get put away for murder. He ain’t worth it.”

Security swarms in, creating a barrier between me and the stunned reporters. The one I attacked is being helped to his feet, blood streaming from his nose and mouth.

"Anyone else want to talk shit?" Mace growls, his alpha presence filling the room. "I won't hold him back next time."

The press backs off, muttering amongst themselves. Now they've really got a story.

Good. Maybe next time they'll think before they?—

I scan the crowd, heart sinking as I catch a glimpse of raven hair disappearing through the exit.

"Shit," I mutter, wrenching free from Mace's grip. She heard everything. “Ophelia! Wait!”

I push past security, ignoring their protests. But when I make it into the hallway, she’s already gone.

Fuck!

CHAPTER 41

MADDOX

"Ophelia!" I call out, my voice echoing off the concrete walls outside the arena.

No response.

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