Page 107 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

“Then what do you suggest?” Jax’s voice rises an octave. “That we turn her out back into the wilds? For fuck’s sake, Ren, I’m trying to do what’s best for everyone here.”

Ren huffs a wry laugh through his nose. “I’m suggesting we bring her to the authorities and stay the fuck away after that.”

His words drop like a dead weight.

“She’s our scent match, Ren.” Stone’s already shaking his head.

Theirscent match. A part of me closes up. Goes within myself at the fact I know they’re trying their best, but no one’s facing the elephant in the room.

Like what’s going to happen to me, to us, when they cement that bond with Hailey.

“In the meantime,” Jax says, “we follow Finn’s lead. It’s for the best, anyway. He’s the only one she trusts right now. The only one she feels safe with.”

All three alphas turn to look at me, and the weight of their combined attention makes me want to squirm. Because they’re right—Hailey does trust me. Feels safe with me in a way she doesn’t with them.

I should tell him no. That I want no part in this.

But…I can’t.

I’m not ready to let go yet, even though I know this is all coming to an end.

“I should go check on her,” I say, pushing to my feet. “After what happened, she’s probably…”

“Scared?” Stone’s voice is gentle. “Yeah.” He pauses, gaze searching mine. “If you change your mind, Ren’s idea is still?—”

I shake my head. “No. She’s Ironwood and she’s been traumatized and taken advantage of. I can’t let another omega be alone with all that.” I release a slow breath. “I have to show her there’s nothing wrong with how she responded. Nothing wrong with what she’s feeling.” I swallow hard. “And you’ll…”

Jax releases a breath too, leaning back in the armchair. “We’ll keep our distance.”

As I move toward the door, Ren’s voice stops me. “Finn…”

I turn back to find all three alphas watching me with identical expressions of intensity. But Ren, Ren’s staring at me as if he’strying to give me an out, and it hits me that if I so much as slightly indicate that I want her out, he’ll do it.

He’ll march upstairs, rip her from that tub, pack her up, and take her away. All so this doesn’t hurt me.

The only problem is, there’s no scenario in this where I win.

I don’t want her to go…but if she stays…

“Be careful,” Ren finally says. He stops there, but I understand what he’s not saying. Be careful with our hearts. All of them. Because this will break us in ways none of us are prepared for.

Chapter 30

Hailey

The water has gone cold by the time I finally force myself to move. My skin is wrinkled, pruned from soaking too long, but the herbs have done their work. The sharp aches have dulled to something more manageable, though my feet still throb when I shift them against the porcelain.

I stay still for another moment, watching ripples spread across the cloudy surface. The bathroom is quiet except for the occasional drip from the faucet, but I can hear movement beyond the door. Soft footsteps. The rustle of fabric. Finn, still keeping guard even after everything I’ve done.

The thought makes my pulse quicken.

With a deep breath, I grip the sides of the tub and push myself up. Water cascades off my body, carrying away dirt and blood and whatever else I’d collected when I’d tried to escape through the woods.

My legs shake as I step out onto the plush bath mat. Whether from exhaustion or something else, I’m not sure anymore. Everything feels…different. Like my skin doesn’t quite fit right. Like I’m more aware of every sensation—the soft mat under my tender feet, the cool air raising goosebumps on my damp skin, the lingering scent of herbs and beneath that…something else. Something that makes my stomach clench and my thighs press together.

The large mirror above the sink has fogged over, leaving only a vague outline of my shape. I’m grateful for that small mercy. I’m not ready to see myself again yet, to face whatever shows in my eyes after what happened downstairs.

“Finn?” My voice comes out smaller than intended, barely carrying over the residual drips from the tub.

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