Page 141 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

“Finn,” he breathes, and there’s so much pain in that single word.

When he reaches for Finn’s uninjured hand, I expect Finn to pull away. But he lets Jax take it, lets him bring it to his lips. The kiss he presses to Finn’s knuckles is reverent.

“I’m sorry,” Jax whispers against Finn’s skin. “For everything. I’m so sorry, Finn.”

Finn’s breath hitches on a sob.

Jax’s eyes find mine then, and I tense, waiting for…something. Anger. Jealousy. Possession. But there’s only a deep, aching gratitude in his gaze.

“Thank you,” he says softly.

My chest aches. Thank you? For what? For comforting his omega?

Before I can ask what for, Finn’s other hand cups my cheek, drawing me back down to him. His kiss tastes of salt and hope and desperation. I can feel his sobs against my mouth, hear them muffled in the space between us.

Through half-closed eyes, I see Jax watching us. There’s hunger in his gaze, a raw need that makes my own body thrum with something I don’t understand. But he doesn’t move. Doesn’t interrupt. Just watches as Finn’s hand slides up my thigh, his fingers trembling as they trace the curve of my hip.

I’m aware of Jax’s focus as he presses Finn’s hand against his lips, inhaling deeply, before pressing another kiss to his palm.

“I’ve missed you,” Jax whispers, gaze shifting back to Finn. “We’ve all missed you so much.”

Finn’s sob breaks against my mouth, and I feel his tears fall faster.

“I don’t know how to be what you need,” Finn chokes out.

“You’re already everything we need,” Jax says immediately. “We’re just too dumb. We don’t deserve you, Finn.”

Jax brings Finn’s hand to his lips again, inhaling deeply before pressing a kiss to his knuckles. His eyes never leave mine, and in that shared gaze, I see it—a silent acknowledgment of something shifting between us all. Something I’m not sure I’m ready for.

“And Hailey,” he says softly, “thank you. For reminding us of that. For reminding us of what matters.”

A blush creeps up my neck, but Jax’s smile is genuine, reassuring. “We want you here,” he adds, the words directed at me but his thumb still caressing Finn. “With us. With Finn. Whatever that looks like; however it feels right…we want you to stay.” His gaze flickers between Finn and me, something unspoken passing between them. Then, quieter, almost hesitant, “It’s…good. Seeing him like this again. Happy…with you.”

Finn’s fingers tighten on my waist. “It’s not—” he starts, but Jax cuts him off with a gentle shake of his head.

“Don’t, Finn. Don’t push her away. Not when she’s the onepulling us all back together.” He leans closer to Finn, their foreheads almost touching. “You’re not alone anymore,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. “None of us are.”

With a heavy breath, Jax continues.

“Stay,” he whispers. “Not just because you need safety, but because…because we need you both. The way you are with him, the way he lights up around you—none of us mind. We want that for him. For you.” His thumb strokes across Finn’s knuckles. “Maybe for all of us, someday.” Jax swallows hard. “That day you stumbled on Stone’s cabin was the day you saved us all.”

The weight of his words settles over us. Beneath me, another shuddering breath goes through Finn, and when I look down at him, there’s something like hope breaking through his tears.

“But I’m not—” I start.

“You’re exactly what this pack needs,” Jax interrupts gently. “What Finn needs. What we all need, even if we didn’t know it.” He pauses. “We want you to be part of our pack, Hailey. Part of our family.”

Family.

I stop talking. There are no words.

They want me to stay. They want me to share their pack. They want to give me the one thing I’ve dreamt about since as long as I can remember.

Anxiety threatens to creep up. Thoughts about not being good enough. Not being wanted. Not deserving any of this. But in this moment, with Finn’s body trembling beneath mine and Jax’s warm gaze holding me captive, I can’t bring myself to be afraid.

Chapter 36

Stone

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