Page 261 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

“You look…” Finn starts, but his words trail off, his gaze sweeping over me like he’s trying to commit every detail to memory.

“Radiant,” Jax finishes for him, his voice quieter than usual. “You look radiant, Hailey.”

My cheeks burn, and I glance away, smoothing my hands over the fabric of my dress. “It’s just a dress.”

“It’s not the dress,” Stone says. “It’s you.”

I bite my lip, my heart pounding as I reach the bottom of the stairs. For a moment, I don’t know what to say, and the silence feels almost too heavy to bear.

But then Finn steps forward, offering me his arm with a gentle smile. “Shall we?”

I nod, slipping my hand into the crook of his elbow, and together we head to the front door, stepping outside into the cool night air.

The others follow close behind, their presence grounding me even as my nerves start to creep back in. The gentle hum of crickets fills the air, mingling with the faint rustle of leaves in thebreeze. But my gaze keeps drifting toward the treeline, hoping—praying—to see Ren step out of the shadows.

He doesn’t.

I’ve been waiting all day, hoping he’ll turn up. Each minute that passes, a bit of my hope gets taken away, the weight of my disappointment settling heavily in my chest. I told myself not to expect too much, but I can’t help it. I made a deal with him. I thought he’d come.

By the time we reach the SUV and slide inside, I’ve almost convinced myself that I was wrong to hope.

Maybe Ren isn’t ready.

Maybe he’ll never be ready.

The ride to the gala is quiet, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Finn’s hand rests lightly over mine, his touch warm and reassuring, and I lean into him, drawing strength from his steady presence.

My thoughts race as we approach the venue, a grand estate glowing with lights that pierce the night like stars. The driveway is lined with luxury cars, the kind that cost more than most people make in a year, and the building itself is a testament to wealth and power, its towering columns and sprawling gardens making it look more like a palace than anything else.

I try to focus on the task at hand—supporting the males I care about, showing them that I’m strong enough to stand by their side—but my thoughts keep circling back to Ren. To the empty space where he should be.

Stone, Jax, and Finn step out of the car first, their confidence so effortless it’s almost intimidating. They carry themselves like they belong here, like this world of polished smiles and whispered deals was made for them.

And then there’s me.

I take a deep breath and step out into the cool night air, clutching Finn’s hand as I follow them toward the main entrance. The driveway is a flurry of activity, the soft hum of enginesmingling with the low murmur of conversations as elegantly dressed guests step out of luxury cars. Valets move with quiet efficiency, their crisp uniforms immaculate as they open car doors and drive the vehicles away with practiced efficiency.

The moment we’re all out of the vehicle, I feel the weight of eyes on us.

People pause mid-conversation, their gazes lingering just a little too long, some openly staring while others glance our way and quickly look away as if caught doing something they shouldn’t. A few guests, older alphas in sharp suits and silk ties, nod subtly in acknowledgment, their sharp eyes taking in every detail of Stone, Jax, and Finn like they’re assessing rivals or allies.

One woman—an omega, I think—dressed in a sleek black gown that clings to her figure like liquid shadows, watches us with a small, knowing smile before dipping her head ever so slightly in greeting. Her eyes land on me for a second longer than the others, and I can’t tell if she’s impressed or curious—or both.

“People are staring at you guys,” I murmur under my breath to Finn, my voice barely audible over the sounds around us.

“Let them,” Finn replies smoothly, his gray eyes glinting with quiet confidence as he squeezes my hand. “You look ravishing, sweetheart.”

Jax, walking just ahead of us, glances over his shoulder with a smirk. “They’re not staring at us, darling. They’re staring atyou.” He adjusts his tie with a deliberate flourish, like he’s basking in the attention. “Finn’s right. You look absolutely delicious tonight.”

Delicious?

His words almost make me stumble, a rush of warmth spreading to my cheeks.

The grand double doors open as we approach, held by uniformed attendants whose crisp black-and-white attire matches the formality of the venue. They nod politely but subtly, their heads dipping just enough to acknowledge us without breaking the composed professionalism expected of them.

The moment we step inside, the world seems to shift.

The ballroom takes my breath away—a space so vast and opulent it feels like something out of a dream. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, their light refracting into soft prisms that dance across the polished marble floors. The walls are adorned with intricate gold detailing, and towering arrangements of fresh flowers—roses, lilies, and orchids—add a touch of delicate vibrancy to the otherwise lavish surroundings.

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