Page 117 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

“You have every right to. You’re physically and mentally exhausted.” His voice is gentle but firm. “No more apologies. Not for natural things like sleeping or eating or…” He trails off, and I know we’re both thinking about the kiss. Kisses. Plural.

The silence stretches. I can smell his soap, the clean warmth ofhis skin. But it almost feels like he’s purposely putting distance between us with the way he sits.

“Finn?” I whisper.

“Hmm?”

“Are you…” I swallow hard. “Are you angry with me?”

He’s quiet for so long I start to worry. But then he sighs.

“No, Hailey. I’m not angry with you. Why would I be?”

I swallow hard. “Well, I can think of a few reasons why. I made you fight with your alphas.”

He releases a small laugh. “That wasn’t because of you.” The cushions where he’s sitting shift as he adjusts himself. “They’re not angry at you about that by the way.”

I still can’t understand why.

If it were me, if some stranger came into my home and kissed Finn, I’d be livid. The fact I feel this with such conviction only makes it more unbelievable that Finn’s alphas don’t feel the same.

Aren’t alphas supposed to be jealous, possessive things?

Another silence. I risk rolling over to face Finn, though I can only make out his silhouette in the darkness. He’s sitting cross-legged, head bowed like he’s studying his hands.

“I’m trying to be careful,” he says finally.

“Because of your alphas?”

A soft laugh, but it doesn’t sound happy. “Because of myself.”

I push up onto my elbow, frowning. “I don’t understand.”

“I know.” He runs a hand through his damp hair. “I don’t really understand either. Everything feels…complicated.”

“Because of me?”

“Because of everything.” He turns slightly, and though I can’t see his expression clearly, I feel the weight of his gaze. “You being here, what you’ve been through, what you make me feel…what you make all of us feel…”

I’m not sure I understand. “What do you mean, all of you?”

He’s quiet again, like he’s choosing his words carefully. “Didyou notice how they were at dinner? How they tried so hard to make you comfortable?”

“I thought that was for you.”

“Some of it was.” A rustling as he shifts. “But not all of it. They…care. Already. It’s why Ren’s being so prickly—he doesn’t know how to handle caring about someone new. And Stone…you saw how gentle he tried to be. Even Jax…”

He trails off as voices drift up from downstairs—the alphas talking quietly amongst themselves. We both go still, listening, but the words are too muffled to make out.

“I thought alphas only cared about omegas they wanted to…” I can’t finish the sentence.

“To claim?” His voice is soft. “To own? That’s what they taught you at the Academy I suppose.”

I nod, then remember he might not see it in the dark. “Yes.”

“They taught you wrong.” The cushions shift as he moves closer, just slightly. “Alphas can care. Can love. Can want to protect without wanting to possess.”

“Like yours do?”

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