Page 69 of Knot Happening Again

My pack.

My family.

The people I swore to protect and lead.

I’ve let them all down.

And Ophelia... God, Ophelia. The memory of her face when I saw her at the Scent Bar haunts me. The shock, the anger, the pain in those beautiful blue eyes. I did that to her. I broke her trust, left her vulnerable and alone. And now, when I finally fully realize what she means to me, to us, I can't even reach her.

I pull out my phone, staring at the blank screen as if it holds the answers I so desperately need. I should call the private investigator again, demand that he find Ophelia's number even if he has to tear the whole damn city apart. I should go back to the Scent Bar, consequences be damned. I should do something, anything, to fix this mess before it's too late.

But what if it already is too late? What if Ophelia wants nothing to do with me, with us? What if this new omega manages to fool the others completely?

No. I shake my head, trying to clear the doubts from my mind. I know what I felt when I saw Ophelia again. That pull, that instant connection—it wasn't just memory or guilt.

It was real.

She's our match.

She has to be.

I push myself to my feet, wincing at the pain in my hand. I flex my fingers, noting with detached interest that I've split the skin over my knuckles. It'll heal quickly, thanks to my alpha biology, but for now, it serves as a physical reminder of the damage I've done.

I have to find Ophelia. It's now or never. I can't let Friday come without at least trying to make things right. I owe it to Rhys, to my pack, to Ophelia, and to myself.

With renewed determination, I head for the door.

I don't have a plan, not really.

But I have desperation and determination on my side. I'll go back to the Scent Bar. I'll beg, plead, do whatever it takes to get Ophelia to listen to me. And if security tries to throw me out, I'll come back.

Again and again, until she agrees to hear me out.

CHAPTER 19

OPHELIA

Istep into the Scent Bar, the familiar scents and sounds hitting me like a wall. The neon lights cast an eerie glow over everything, turning the world into a surreal dreamscape of pinks and purples. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come.

This is it.

My last night here.

My last paycheck.

At least for a while, depending on how tomorrow night's meeting with the Carver pack goes.

The thought makes me both excited and terrified.

I'm really doing this.

Taking a chance on something new.

Something that could change my life forever.

I spot Natalie behind the bar, her red hair a beacon in the dim light. She sees me and waves, a bright smile lighting up her face. I make my way over to her, weaving through the crowd of alphas and betas who eye me hungrily. I'm used to their stares by now, but tonight they feel different. Like I'm seeing them from a distance, already removed from this world.

"Ophelia!" Natalie exclaims as I reach her. She pulls me into a tight hug, her familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon wrapping around me like a warm blanket. "I didn't expect to see you tonight. I thought you were off until Monday."

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