Page 189 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

“Morning,” I manage.

His gaze lingers on me for a moment, like he’s assessing me, and then he gestures to the couch. “Do you want to sit? I can move over.”

I glance at Finn, who gives me a small smile, and then I move toward the couch. Stone shifts slightly to make room, movements awkward like his muscles are all stiff and painful.

“How are you feeling?” he asks, his voice softer now. But I catch the way his nostrils flare.

A lump forms in my throat. We’d showered with scent-blocking soap. I hope that’s enough.

My fingers curl into the hem of my shirt. “Okay,” I say finally. “Just…tired.”

Stone nods, his eyes steady on mine. “That’s normal. Pre-heat takes a lot out of you, even when it’s still building.”

The way he says it—calm, matter-of-fact—makes me feel a little less self-conscious. Like it’s okay to feel this way.

“You’re stronger than most would be,” he says after a moment, his voice quieter now.

I blink at him, surprised. “I am?”

Stone sets the papers aside, leaning forward slightly. “Most omegas would be miserable by now,” he continues, tone even. “But you’re here.” He gestures around the room, his eyes holding mine. “You’re trying, even when it’s hard. That takes strength.”

My chest tightens, and I look down, unsure how to respond. The words settle over me like a warm blanket, their weight unfamiliar but not unwelcome.

“Thank you,” I say softly.

Stone nods, leaning back again. “Just saying what I see.”

The quiet between us isn’t uncomfortable. It feels…steady. Safe.

After a few minutes, Stone clears his throat, glancing toward the stairs. “Have you adjusted the nest yet?”

I blink at him, confused. “The nest?”

He nods. “Finn said you haven’t unpacked the new blankets yet. If you want, I can grab them for you.”

I blink in surprise, then nod slowly. “Yeah. We unpacked everything yesterday.”

There’s a beat of silence as the words sink in, and I catch the faintest shift in his expression—his lips press together briefly, his jaw tightening before he schools his features again.

“Oh,” he says simply. “Good.”

But there’s something in the way he says it, a quiet weight that makes me feel like I’m missing something.

Finn must notice it too, because he clears his throat. “It’s coming together. Hailey’s been settling in.”

Stone nods, but his gaze drops for a moment, his fingers brushing against the edge of the notepad beside him.

After a moment, he looks back up, his expression softening. “Do you…need anything else for it? Either of you?” His voice is cautious, measured, like he’s testing the waters. “Something from me or Jax, maybe?”

I glance at Finn, uncertain. The question throws me off, and I don’t quite understand what he’s offering.

Finn’s lips twitch into a faint smile. “That might not be a bad idea,” he says, eyes warm as they flick to me. “It’d help balance the scents. Make it feel more…complete.”

I swallow hard, searching his gaze, searching for the pain. He hides it well. And that only makes it worse. However am I going to make it better?

Stone’s gaze shifts back to me, and for a moment, there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—hope, maybe, or anticipation. I hesitate, trying to remember what we were talking about.

“I have some stuff we could add to the nest.” Stone’s gaze is like thick honey as he watches me.

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