Page 56 of Knot Happening

The sun was just beginningto peek through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room.I stretched languidly, feeling the comforting presence of my alphas all around me.Jin was already up, his side of the bed cool to the touch, a sure sign he'd been awake for a while.

The sound of hushed voices drifted in from the other room.I recognized Pietro's thick Russian accent, his words too low for me to discern.I rose from the nest, a sense of unease prickling at the back of my mind.Something had happened—I could feel it in the tightness of the air.

I found Pietro in the living room, his broad frame rigid with tension.He was on the phone, his knuckles white as he clutched the device in his hand."Understood," he said, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine.He ended the call and turned to face me, his dark eyes meeting mine with a mixture of relief and regret.

"Darcy," he began, his voice strained, "I have news."

I took a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest."What is it?"I asked, my own voice barely above a whisper.

Pietro took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort."Sean McCarthy is dead," he said, watching me closely for my reaction.

A rush of emotions flooded through me—shock, relief, guilt.My father was gone, and with him, the shadow that had loomed over my life for as long as I could remember.I should have felt elated, but all I could think about was the fact that he was still my father, despite everything.

I probably should talk to Dr.Parsons about this because feeling guilt probably isn’t healthy.

Pietro must have seen the conflict in my eyes because he was suddenly on his knees before me, his hands reaching for mine."Darcy," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "I am sorry it took us so long to put an end to his tyranny.I should have acted sooner."

I shook my head, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes."No, Pietro," I said, squeezing his hands tightly."You did what you could.I never doubted that I was safe with you—with all of you."

He looked up at me, his eyes searching mine for understanding."But still, I failed to protect you from his machinations, from his cruelty.I should have?—"

"Stop," I interrupted him, kneeling down to meet his gaze."You didn't fail me.You gave me a family, a place where I finally feel like I belong.That's more than I ever had with him."

Pietro's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his shoulders relaxing slightly under my touch."You are our heart, Darcy," he murmured, his voice filled with conviction."We will always fight for you, protect you."

I reached out to cup his cheek, my thumb brushing over the stubble that shadowed his jaw."I know," I said softly."And I will always stand by your side, by all of your sides.We're a pack, after all."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Pietro's lips, and he leaned into my touch."Yes, we are," he agreed, his eyes shining with a fierce pride."And together, we will face whatever comes our way."

The sound of footsteps drew our attention, and we turned to see Jin, Axel, and Harlen standing in the doorway, their faces a mix of concern and relief."Is everything okay?"Jin asked, his gaze flickering between Pietro and me.

"Everything's fine," I assured them, rising to my feet and pulling Pietro up with me."We've just had some news."

"Sean McCarthy is dead," Pietro announced, his voice carrying across the room.The reactions were varied—Jin's eyes widened slightly, Axel let out a low whistle, and Harlen simply nodded, his expression unreadable.

"It's over," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions that swirled within me."We can finally start to build a life together, without the shadow of my father looming over us."

Axel stepped forward, wrapping an arm around my shoulders in a comforting embrace."You're right, Darcy," he said, pressing a kiss to the top of my head."We have a future to look forward to, and no one is going to take that away from us."

Jin moved to stand on my other side, his hand finding mine in a silent show of support."We're with you, Darcy," he said, his voice soft but firm."Always."

I looked up at each of my alphas in turn, my heart swelling with love and gratitude for the incredible men that fate had bound me to."Together," I agreed, knowing that with them by my side, I could face anything.

* * *

AXEL

I revved the engine of my bike, the familiar rumble vibrating through my chest as I navigated the concrete veins of New York City.The scent of oil and metal hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the city's relentless pulse.I was heading toward The Vultures' NYC chapter, a place that had become a second home to me.

As I pulled into the familiar lot, the sound of my bike echoed off the walls of the warehouse that served as the new clubhouse.I cut the engine and dismounted, my boots thudding against the asphalt.The doors parted like a sea of steel, and I stepped into the dimly lit interior, the scent of tobacco and leather wrapping around me like an old friend.

Torch was hunched over a pool table, his focus on the game at hand.The clack of billiard balls punctuated the air as I approached.He looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly before breaking into a grin of recognition.

"Doc," he greeted, leaning on his cue."Didn't expect to see you back so soon."

I nodded, my gaze steady."I need to talk to you, Torch."

He straightened, sensing the seriousness in my tone."Alright, let's hear it."

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