Page 263 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

As he disappears into the crowd, I release a breath.

Stone’s voice pitches low. “Still the same old Robert. Always testing the waters, never committing to anything. Not even pack. Lone alphas aren’t common.”

Jax pushes a hand in his pocket, narrowed eyes still watching the alpha go. “He’s a politician at heart. Won’t pick a side until he’s absolutely sure it’s the winning one. Can’t say I blame him, though—he’s survived this long by playing it safe.”

His eyes meet mine briefly, a silent question there—are you okay?—before he continues. “Though his interest tonight wasn’t entirely about business.”

“I noticed,” Stone mutters, his jaw tight. “I’ve never seen him look at anyone quite like that before.”

“I don’t like how he looked at Hailey, either,” Finn’s brow is furrowed. “That was different from his usual ‘omega appreciation’.”

I glance up at him, comforted by the protectiveness I see in all three of them. “Omega appreciation? So, is he always like that?”

“No,” Jax says quietly. “Not quite like that. And that’s what concerns me.” He exchanges a look with Stone that I can’t quite interpret.

Stone says nothing, his gaze drifting toward the far side of the room, where clusters of people are mingling near the bar. His expression sharpens, and I follow his line of sight, curious as to what’s caught his attention.

At first, I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. The same polished crowd moves gracefully through the space, their laughter and conversation blending seamlessly with the soft strains of music coming from the orchestra. But then my eyes snag on a woman—an omega with a stunningly delicate frame and dark, glossy hair that spills over her shoulders. She’s laughing, her head tilted back in a way that feels too open, too carefree for a room like this.

At first I assume Stone is watching the omega, but then my gaze shifts to what’s really caught his attention. Behind her, just a few feet away, stand four alphas.

And they don’t belong here.

They’re dressed in tuxedos like everyone else, their suits tailored and pristine, but there’s something about them—a sharpness, a danger—that makes the fine fabric look like a thin disguise. The way they stand, slightly apart from the rest of the crowd, with their shoulders squared and their postures tense, sends a shiver down my spine.

One of them, a tall alpha with a scar cutting across his eye, leans in to murmur something to another, his gaze scanning the room like he’s assessing a battlefield.

The third alpha, broader than the others and with a jawline that looks carved from stone, stands with his arms crossed, his gaze locked on the omega as though he’s watching over her—or maybe watching her too closely.

The fourth is the most unsettling. His pale eyes flicker across the room, landing briefly on me before moving on. It’s quick, almost unnoticeable, but the intensity of his gaze leaves a knot of unease curling in my stomach.

“That who I think it is?” Stone asks.

Jax follows his gaze, his brow furrowing as his eyes settle on the group. “Pack Ashgrave,” he says, the name weighted with meaning.

I glance between them, my pulse quickening. “Who are they?”

“Not enemies,” Finn murmurs, his voice calm but cautious. “Not allies either.”

“Ashgrave doesn’t take sides,” Jax adds, his tone quieter now. “They’re powerful, calculated, and they do what benefits them. That’s it. If they’re here, it’s not for the hors d’oeuvres or the music.”

Stone’s expression hardens, his golden eyes narrowing as hestudies the group. “They’re neutral. But neutrality doesn’t mean harmless.”

I glance back at the alphas, my unease growing. The tall one with the scar is still murmuring to his companion, his sharp gaze sweeping the room like he’s cataloging every exit, every potential threat. The broader alpha hasn’t moved, his attention fixed on the omega with an intensity that makes me uneasy. And the pale-eyed one—the one who looked at me—now leans casually against the bar, but there’s nothing casual about the way his gaze continues to flicker across the room, as if he’s waiting for something to happen.

“They bought a stake in our Burlington merger,” Stone whispers, his tone thoughtful. “We need to make sure they’re on board.”

“Already on it,” Jax says, his grin fading into something more serious.

Finn leans in closer to me, his voice low. “Maybe we should head to the bar or something. This is overwhelming for even me.”

“I’m fine,” I try to smile, though my chest still feels tight. When Finn squeezes my hand again, I give him a more genuine smile, drawing strength from his presence. Still, my gaze keeps drifting—to the windows, the doors, the shadows at the edges of the room.

Hoping.

Praying.

Waiting for Ren.

---