Page 89 of Knot Happening Again

"It's okay, little one," he murmurs, his deep voice rumbling through me. "We've got you. You're safe here."

Troy clears his throat, a hint of his usual mischief returning to his voice. "Well, this is certainly not how I expected the evening to go," he says lightly, running a hand through his dark hair. "You're hard to hold onto for a little thing."

I can't help but let out a watery chuckle at his attempt to lighten the mood. I appreciate the effort, even if it doesn't quite erase the heaviness in my chest.

Maddox steps forward then. His warm brown eyes are filled with concern as he looks at me. "How about I draw you a bath?" he suggests gently. "We don't have to discuss any of this right now. Let's just focus on getting you comfortable."

I look at each of them in turn—Mace with his protective embrace, Troy with his tentative smile, Maddox with his kind eyes. They're trying so hard to comfort me, to distract me from my panic and desire to flee. And despite everything, I find myself wanting to stay.

"Okay," I say softly, nodding. My voice is hoarse from crying, barely above a whisper. "I'll stay. At least for tonight."

The relief on their faces is palpable. Mace gives me one last squeeze before releasing me, and Maddox immediately heads tothe en-suite to start the bath. I can hear the water running, the sound oddly soothing in the tense atmosphere of the room.

Troy moves to the bed, straightening the tangled sheets and fluffing the pillows. It's such a domestic gesture, so at odds with his usual rock star persona, that it brings a small smile to my face.

As I watch them fuss over me, making sure I have everything I need, a new wave of emotion washes over me. These men, this pack, they care about me. They want me here. That much is clear, even if I'm questioning everything else after tonight, including my own sanity. The realization is both comforting and terrifying.

But now I know that the alpha who abandoned me, who left me with this broken mark and years of pain, is part of their pack too. The thought sends a fresh wave of panic through me.

How can I be part of a pack that includes Leon? How can I trust him not to hurt me again? And what about Rhys and the others? How will this affect their dynamics?

Maddox returns from the bathroom, steam billowing out behind him. "The bath is ready," he says softly. "I've added some lavender oil to help you relax. Do you need help getting in?"

I shake my head, not trusting my voice. As much as I appreciate their care, I need a moment alone to process everything that's happened.

I make my way to the bathroom on shaky legs. The room is filled with steam, the mirror fogged over. The large tub is full of bubbles, the scent of lavender filling the air. It looks inviting, a temporary escape from the chaos of my emotions.

As I sink into the warm water, letting the soothing scents wash over me, I'm hit with the full weight of the situation. I've found a pack that feels right, that makes me feel safe and wanted. But that pack includes the very alpha who shattered my trust in the first place.

I close my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, or how we'll navigate this complicated mess. But for now, surrounded by the care and concern of these alphas and beta, I allow myself to relax. Just for tonight, I'll stay. Tomorrow, we'll face whatever comes next.

But as I soak in the warm water, my mind can't help but wander to Leon. The shock in his eyes when he saw me, the pain in his voice when he apologized.

I shake my head, sending droplets of water flying. I can't let myself hope. Not again. Not after everything. Hope is a dangerous thing for someone like me, someone who's been hurt and abandoned before.

But as I hear the low murmur of voices outside the bathroom door—Mace, Troy, and Maddox discussing how best to care for me—I can't help but feel a flicker of something. Not quite hope, but not quite despair either. A tiny spark of possibility, fragile and tentative.

I sink deeper into the water, letting it cover me up to my chin. The warmth seeps into my muscles, easing some of the tension I've been carrying. For the first time in hours, I feel like I can breathe properly.

CHAPTER 26

MADDOX

Ilean against the kitchen counter, watching Rhys pace. The tension in the air is thick enough to choke on. Mace hunches over the island, his massive frame dwarfing the stool beneath him. Troy leans on the fridge, arms crossed, his usual smirk replaced by a scowl.

We're all waiting for someone to break the silence. Finally, Mace speaks up, his deep voice rumbling through the quiet.

"I think I've got some of it figured out," he says, glancing between Rhys and me. "But maybe you should start from the beginning, Rhys. Fill in the gaps for us."

Rhys stops pacing, running a hand through his hair. The gesture is familiar, but different now. There's a weariness to it I've never seen before. He looks... beaten. It's unsettling to see our leader like this.

"I just put it together myself," Rhys admits, his voice low. "I didn't exactly stick around to chat with Leon before he left."

Troy snorts. "One thing's clear," he says, eyes flashing. "Leon's the asshole who marked Ophelia and bailed."

We all turn to look at him. Troy shrugs, unapologetic. "What? It's true, isn't it?"

Rhys nods slowly, the movement almost painful to watch. "As much as I hate to admit it, you're right," he says. "Leon confessed to all of it before he left."

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