Page 39 of Knot Happening Again

I can't go through that again. I won't.

A soft whimper pulls me from my thoughts. Ophelia stirs, her brow furrowing as she shifts restlessly. I tense, ready to call for Rhys or Mace, but her eyes flutter open before I can move.

For a moment, she looks confused, her gaze darting around the room before landing on me. Recognition dawns in those piercing blue eyes, followed quickly by surprise.

"Troy?" Her voice is rough with sleep, sending a shiver down my spine. "Where are the others?"

I clear my throat, suddenly feeling awkward. "Rhys had to step downstairs to take a work call. Something about a patient. And Mace is on an emergency grocery fun for more heat supplies."

Ophelia nods, pushing herself up into a sitting position. The sheet falls away, exposing her perfect breasts, and I have to force myself not to stare.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.

She considers for a moment, stretching languidly. The movement draws my eyes to the elegant curve of her neck, to the angry red mark marring her pale skin. The sight of it makes something twist in my gut—anger at the alpha who did this to her, mixed with a possessive urge I'm not ready to examine too closely.

"Better," she says finally. "My head feels clearer, at least for now."

I nod, unsure what to say next. The silence stretches between us, not quite uncomfortable but charged with an energy I can't quite name.

Ophelia breaks it first. "I have to admit, I'm surprised you joined us last night."

Her bluntness catches me off guard. "Oh?" I try for nonchalance, but from the knowing look in her eyes, I'm not fooling anyone. "Why's that?"

She gives me a look that's equal parts amusement and exasperation. "Come on, Troy. It's just the two of us here. You don't need to pretend you weren't set against me coming here. I could tell from the beginning."

I open my mouth to deny it, but the words die on my tongue. She's right, of course. I was against this whole arrangement from the start. But how do I explain that without sounding like a complete asshole?

"I wasn't... I mean, I didn't..." I stumble over my words, frustrated with myself. Taking a deep breath, I try again. "Okay, you're right. I was wary."

Ophelia nods, no judgment in her eyes. "I'm just curious why. If you don't mind me asking."

I run a hand through my hair, debating how much to reveal.

Fuck it. If we're doing this, might as well go all in.

"I've been burned by omegas in the past," I admit. "And no offense, but you seemed... high maintenance."

To my surprise, Ophelia laughs. It's a rich, genuine sound that makes my chest tighten in a way I'm not prepared for. "That's on purpose," she says, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"What do you mean?" I ask, intrigued in spite of myself.

She shrugs, the movement drawing my attention back to her exposed skin. "If I come across as high maintenance, most alphas won't bother trying to get close. It's safer that way. I don't need to waste time or energy on anyone who doesn't actually want me."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I recognize the strategy all too well. It's not so different from my own tendency to push people away before they can hurt me. The realization creates a connection between us, a shared understanding that I wasn't expecting.

"I get that," I say softly. "More than you know."

Ophelia opens her mouth to respond, but her words are cut off by a sharp gasp. Her face contorts in pain, her body curling in on itself as another wave of heat hits her. The scent of her heat spikes, filling the room with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that makes my head spin.

Without thinking, I'm on my feet and moving toward her. "Ophelia? What's wrong?"

She shakes her head, unable to speak. Her skin is flushed, a fine sheen of sweat breaking out across her forehead. I reach out, hesitating for just a moment before placing my hand on her shoulder. Her skin is burning up, far hotter than it should be even during a heat.

"Fuck," I mutter, concern overriding any lingering reservations. "Have you really been dealing with this since your alpha left?"

Ophelia takes a shuddering breath, leaning into my touch in what's probably an instinctive response, considering I haven't given her any reason to want to cozy up to me.

"It's usually not this bad," she manages to say through gritted teeth. "I take drugs to suppress it. But this... this is what I was trying to avoid."

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