Page 148 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

“Anywhere but here.” He moves toward the door, then pauses. “And Ren? If you ever lay hands on either of our omegas like that again, I won’t stop at one punch.”

He leaves me there, on the floor with my split lip and spinning head and the knowledge that I’ve become exactly what I spent years trying to fight.

The monster who hurts omegas.

Chapter 37

Hailey

The bruises on my throat are darkening. I stare at them in the bathroom mirror, fingertips hovering over the marks but not quite touching. They form a perfect necklace of purple and blue, each finger distinct against my pale skin.

“Here.” Finn’s voice is soft behind me. He holds out a jar of arnica cream, face pained as he stares at the bruises. “It’ll help with the swelling.”

I take it with trembling hands. The lid proves troublesome—my fingers won’t stop shaking. Without comment, Finn gently takes the jar back, opens it, and begins applying the cream himself. His touch is feather-light, clinical almost, but I still have to fight not to flinch.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

His hands pause. “What could you possibly have to be sorry for?”

“I…” The words tangle in my throat. “I shouldn’t have tried to help. Should have known better than to get close to an alpha when they’re…”

“No, Hailey.” His voice is so very gentle. “What Ren didwasn’t your fault. You were trying to help, and he…” Finn takes a steadying breath. “He broke our trust. All of our trust.”

The cream is cool on my skin, but his fingers are warm. I watch in the mirror as he works, his brow furrowed in concentration. There’s something soothing about his care, about the way his scent wraps around me like an embrace.

“Does it hurt to swallow?” he asks.

I test it, wincing slightly. “A little.”

“I’ll make you some tea with honey after this. The warmth will help.”

My eyes burn suddenly with unexpected tears. It doesn’t even hurt that bad. I don’t know why I’m crying.

“Hey.” Finn’s arms come around me from behind, and I let myself lean back against his chest. “You’re safe here. Stone won’t let him near you again, and neither will I.”

As if summoned by his name, Stone appears in the doorway. His presence fills the bathroom, but instead of feeling trapped, I feel…protected. His eyes meet mine in the mirror, and it takes a lot, but I don’t look away. Not this time. The fury I see in his eyes isn’t directed at me.

“How is she?” he asks Finn, but keeps his gaze on me.

“The bruising is superficial,” Finn answers. “No serious damage to her throat.”

Stone’s jaw clenches. “Small mercies.” He takes a step closer, movements slow. “May I see?” His pine scent reaches me a moment before he takes another step. The same scent I breathed in for the first time after that truck crashed. The one that comforted me back in that cabin. The one I leaned into after that alpha touched me at the mall. The one that’s comforting me now.

I hesitate, then give a small nod. Stone moves closer. There’s control in his movements as he reaches out, pausing before his fingers make contact.

“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he whispers.

His touch is impossibly gentle as he tilts my chin up, examining the bruises. His other hand clenches into a fist at his side.

“I should have gotten there sooner,” he mutters.

“You got there in time,” Finn says firmly. One of his arms snakes around my waist, grounding me. “That’s what matters.”

Stone’s thumb brushes my pulse point, so lightly I almost don’t feel it. “Your heart’s racing.”

“I’m okay,” I whisper, though I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince him or myself.

The anger in his eyes dissipates somewhat. “You don’t have to be. Not right now.”

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