Page 214 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

Jax’s hand tightens on Hailey’s thigh. “What are we looking for?”

“Anxiety, nightmares, touch aversion—though that doesn’t seem to be an issue at the moment.” She nods toward the way they’re all tangled together. “Temperature fluctuations, possible early heat triggers from the stress.”

That last bit makes both Jax and me tense. We’re already trying to manage Hailey’s pre-heat symptoms. And with the house compromised, thenest…

“If you want, I can leave you with suppressants,” Dr. Greene says, reading our concern. “Just in case. But I must stress that with your female omega’s condition, suppressants might create temporary relief with harsh effects after. What they need most right now is rest, security, and their alphas close.” She moves to examine Finn’s face next, gentle fingers probing the bruising around his eye. “You did well icing this, but nothing’s broken. He’s going to have one hell of a shiner, though.”

Finn stirs at her touch, gray eyes blinking open. For a moment, there’s panic—the sharp scent of omega fear filling the room—but then Jax’s hand cups the back of his neck, and he settles.

“Hey there, Finn,” Dr. Greene says softly. “Heard you gave quite a performance with that bat.”

Finn’s cheeks flush, but there’s pride in his scent now, mixing with the lingering fear. “They were going to hurt Hailey.”

“And you didn’t let them,” Jax says, voice rough with emotion. His thumb strokes the sensitive spot behind Finn’s ear, making him shiver. “Our fierce little gardener.”

Dr. Greene moves on to Hailey, who tries to sit up again despite Jax’s restraining hand. “I really should help with Stone’s arm?—”

“You did perfect, sweetness,” I tell her, catching her worried gaze. “I think Dr. Greene can handle it from here.”

The doctor’s examination is thorough. She catalogs every bruise, every scrape, murmuring soft praise for our bravery. When she finds the defensive wounds on Hailey’s forearms, evidence of where she’d blocked an alpha’s strikes, something dangerous flashes in Jax’s eyes.

“I’m prescribing a mild sedative,” Dr. Greene says finally, pulling several bottles from her bag. “Just for tonight, to help them rest. And muscle relaxants for the morning—they’re both going to be sore.” She hands me two more bottles. “Antibiotics for your arm, and suppressants. Just in case.”

Then she stops. Looks up. “Someone’s missing. Where’s Ren?”

The question hangs in the air, silencing us all. Jax’s jaw tightens, his posture becoming even more guarded. “He wasn’t injured,” he says, the words calm but clipped. The kind of voice he uses in board meetings when he’s keeping his cards close to his chest. “He’s gone to…sort this all out.”

“Ah.” Dr. Greene nods. “I guess one of you had to leave to give the police an official statement.”

Jax hesitates for a fraction of a second before nodding. “Something like that.”

Dr. Greene doesn’t seem to notice the edge to his voice. “I have to say,” she begins, her voice lighter now, “I’ve never seen anything like this. A robbery, an invasion, a group of omegas holding their own like this…” She shakes her head, glancing between Hailey and Finn. “This pack has been through enough tonight. Focus on healing, all of you.”

Dr. Greene packs away her supplies but there’s a thoughtfulness to her movements that catches my attention. “Before I go.” She clears her throat and her tone makes my eyes narrow slightly. “I wanted to let you know I ran those tests we discussed. On Finn’s blood work.”

The air in the room shifts. Finn, still nestled against Hailey, lifts his head. “What tests?”

For fuck’s sake. Now? She’s bringing this up now, after everything that’s happened? I glance at Finn and Hailey, their confused expressions tugging at something protective in my chest.

Dr. Greene’s eyes meet mine, then flick to Jax, who’s gone very still by the bed. “My assumptions were correct.” A small smile plays at her lips as she closes her bag. “I think it’s best if your alphas explain everything, but…” She turns to Finn and Hailey, her expression warm. “Congratulations are in order.”

“Dr. Greene?” Finn pushes himself up on one elbow, wincing slightly. “What do you mean? What tests?”

I resist a groan. We’d planned to have this conversation in a very different way, under very different circumstances. But maybe, after the night we’ve had, this news is exactly what we need—a reminder that we’re all meant for each other, despite the fuckton of hardship.

But she’s already moving toward the door, that knowing smile still in place. “I’ll see myself out. You all need rest, and you have some things to discuss.” She pauses in the doorway. “Stone, change that bandage tomorrow morning. And call me if either omega shows signs of drop.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Jax says, his hand trailing reluctantly from Hailey’s thigh as he stands.

The moment they’re gone, Finn turns to me, gray eyes sharp despite his exhaustion. “Stone? What tests was she talking about?”

Hailey’s watching too now, her body tense against his. I stand and walk over to the bed before I run my good hand through her hair, trying to soothe her. “Let’s wait for Jax.”

“But—”

“Please, darling.” I press a kiss to his forehead, careful of his bruising. “Just a few minutes.”

We can hear Jax’s and Dr. Greene’s muffled voices downstairs, though not their words. Finn’s scent shifts between curiosity and anxiety, while Hailey seems to be holding her breath entirely. I keep up the steady stroking of her hair, watching the way Finn’s fingers have tangled with hers on the sheets between them.

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