Page 26 of Knot Happening Again

Our scent match?

No. This can't be happening.

"Leon? Are you upset?" Rhys's voice is small, worried.

I swallow hard, forcing myself to speak past the lump in my throat. "No, of course not. It's not like you planned it."

But inwardly, I'm reeling. Now it's too late to come clean. How can I tell Rhys about my past when he's just found our fucking scent match?

"There are some things we need to discuss," Rhys says, "but it's probably better left for when you get home."

I nod, forgetting for a moment that he can't see me. "Yeah, that's... that's probably best."

There's another pause, and I can practically hear Rhys gathering his courage. "There's one more thing. She's... going to spend her heat with us. Tomorrow night."

My grip on the phone tightens.

Tomorrow night?

That's so soon.

Toosoon.

"But only if you're comfortable with it," Rhys adds quickly. "If you want us to wait until you're home, we can?—"

"No," I interrupt, the word escaping before I can think better of it. "No, it's fine. Go ahead."

I should be racing home, demanding to meet this omega before we commit to anything. He's going to be suspicious that's not what I'm doing. But the thought of facing Rhys, of having to explain why I can't do this…

I thought this would just be a temporary way to get them off my back about taking an omega into the pack. That they could find someone they could have a fling with and I could keep coming up with excuses why I can't get involved.

For fuck's sake, isn't the whole damn company calledTemporaryBonds?

"Are you sure?" Rhys asks, and I can hear the mix of hope and concern—and, as I expected, a hint of suspicion—in his voice.

"I'm sure," I lie. "I'll be home as soon as I can."

We say our goodbyes and I end the call, leaning back against the wall. My head is spinning, my chest tight with a mix of emotions I can't even begin to untangle.

I waited too long.

There's no turning back now.

As I stand there, trying to gather the courage to face Maddox and the rest of my post-fight responsibilities, one thought keeps echoing through my mind.

What have I fucking done?

CHAPTER 8

OPHELIA

Istare at my reflection in the mirror, my hands shaking as I smooth down the light beige dress I've chosen for today. It's comfortable, fitted perfectly to my curves, and makes me feel confident—or at least, it usually does. Today, I'm not sure anything could quell the nervous energy thrumming through my veins.

The telltale ache of an impending heat pulses through my body, even sharper and more insistent than I remember. I stopped taking my suppressants last night, and it's like my body is making up for lost time, hurtling toward heat with alarming speed.

"You've got this, Ophelia," I mutter to myself, but the words ring hollow. I know this heat is going to be worse than before. I can just tell. Like my body has been racking up years of debt to pay.

I spritz on some scent masker, knowing full well it's a futile effort. Without suppressants, I smell like an omega in full-blown heat, no matter what I do.

---