Page 75 of Knot Happening Again

He turns to me, worry evident in his expression. "Is she okay?"

I nod, explaining quickly, "She was on suppressants for a long time, and the bond sickness makes her heats affect her irregularly. The bath will help."

Maddox nods, gesturing toward the en-suite bathroom. "The bath is ready. I put in some oils that are supposed to help. At least, according to the Internet," he says, rubbing the back of his head. This is kind of a crash course for my packmates who aren't used to caring for an omega. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Yes, actually," I say, grateful for his offer. "There's a bottle of pills in my medical bag in my office. Could you bring them, please?"

Maddox nods and rushes off. I carry Ophelia into the bathroom, setting her down gently on the edge of the tub. As I help her undress, she murmurs, "Maddox is nice. He smells like… s'mores."

I can't help but laugh softly. "He does smell a little like s'mores," I agree, carefully helping her into the cool water.

Ophelia sighs as she sinks into the bathtub, some of the tension leaving her body. But then she looks up at me, her eyes dark with need. "Why do you all smell so good?" she asks, leaning in close. I feel her tongue dart out, licking a stripe up my neck. "You smell like a honeycomb."

I smile, gently pushing her back into the water. As much as I want to give in to her desires—and mine—I know she's not in her right mind. "We can discuss it when you're a little more clearheaded," I tell her.

She whimpers at the loss of contact, but before I can comfort her, Maddox returns with the pills. He's covering his eyes with one hand, clearly trying to be respectful.

Ophelia notices and giggles. "He can look if he comes in," she says, her voice low and sultry. "As long as I can lick him, too."

Maddox makes a strangled sound, and I can smell his arousal spike. "Is this how alphas feel around omegas all the time?" he asks me, his voice strained. "Because her scent is... hard to resist."

I give him a knowing look. "Certain omegas," I say cryptically, taking one of the pills and the bottle of water he offers.

Turning back to Ophelia, I hold out the pill. "Take this," I say gently. "It's the same thing I gave you last time."

She whines, shaking her head. "I don't want that," she says petulantly. "I want your knot. All the knots. And his not-knot," she says, pointing to Maddox, who turns as red as the roses in the vase on the counter.

Her words send a jolt of desire through me, but I remain firm. This isn't her talking, it's the heat. And if it's strong enough to power through the suppressants she was taking, it's going to be a rough one. "We'll give you everything you need, beautiful," I promise. "But first, you need to take this."

"Make me," she murmurs, a glimmer of challenge and mischief in her eyes as she leans back.

I can't help but chuckle. She's not going to make this easy. I put the pill under my tongue and lean in, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. As our tongues meet and tangle, I gently push the pill into her mouth. When I pull back, I tell her to drink.

She obeys, swallowing the water and the pill. "Good girl," I say, and I see a shiver run through her at the praise.

As the pill starts to take effect, I can see Ophelia's eyes becoming a little clearer. "Just relax," I tell her. "Let the cool water do its work."

I move over to the door where Maddox is waiting, wanting to discuss the situation out of Ophelia's earshot. "The pill should kick in fully in about ten minutes," I explain quietly. "Then she'll be able to think a little more clearly."

Maddox nods, but I can see the concern still etched on his face. "We still haven't heard from Leon," he says hesitantly.

I clench my jaw, anger flaring up again. "Forget him," I say tersely. "He'll show up or not."

Maddox looks like he wants to say more, but thinks better of it. Instead, he glances back at Ophelia, then at me. "In the meantime," he says, a hint of a smile on his lips, "Ishould probably go take a cold shower."

I chuckle, patting him on the shoulder. "Probably a good idea," I agree.

As Maddox leaves, I turn back to Ophelia. She's resting in the tub, her eyes closed, looking more peaceful than when I found her. The sight of her, vulnerable and trusting in our care, makes my heart swell.

But the thought of her out there on her own like this, and what might have happened if some alpha who was willing to take advantage found her instead of me…

I've never had anger issues. Butfuck, I could put a hole in the wall just from the thought of it.

Her words from earlier on the ride home sober me, though.

Whatever secret she's carrying, whatever truth she's afraid to tell us, I know it won't change how I feel about her. How any of us feel about her.

Nothing could.

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