Page 265 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

Ren’s pale blue eyes scan the room, sharp and unrelenting as they take in every detail. And then, as if sensing my gaze, they lock on mine.

Everything else fades away.

The murmurs, the music, the crowd—it all disappears, leaving only the two of us.

He moves toward me, his steps slow and measured, like a predator closing in on its prey. People part for him without a word, their gazes flicking between him and me as if trying to piece together what’s happening.

But I don’t care. I can’t look away.

When he reaches me, he doesn’t acknowledge the others. Not Stone, not Jax, not even Finn. His attention is solely on me, his gaze softening in a way that makes my chest ache.

The way he fills out his suit should be illegal—all controlled power wrapped in tailored perfection. His scent, sandalwood and smoke, hits me like a physical force.

He stops just inches away, his towering frame making me tiltmy head back to meet his eyes. And then, to my utter shock, he takes my hand in his, his touch warm and steady, and bows slightly. His lips linger just a fraction too long against my skin, and I feel the ghost of his touch long after he straightens.

“I-I didn’t think you’d come,” I whisper, voice barely audible.

Ren straightens, his pale eyes holding mine with an intensity that makes my knees weak. “I believe I made you a promise,” he says simply, his voice low and steady.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but before I can say anything, Ren finally turns his attention to the others.

Stone and Jax are staring at him, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. But it’s Finn who draws his focus.

The two of them lock eyes, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension. For a moment, no one moves, no one speaks.

And then Finn steps forward, throwing himself into Ren’s arms.

Ren catches him easily, his arms wrapping tightly around Finn as he presses his face into his neck. “I’m sorry,” Ren whispers, his voice rough with emotion. “I’m so sorry.”

Finn shakes his head, his hands gripping Ren’s shoulders tightly. “You can apologize properly later,” he says, his voice thick. “We have a lot to talk about. But not here.”

Ren nods, his expression softening as he pulls back slightly. Finn wipes his eyes quickly, his gaze flicking toward me for a moment before settling back on Ren.

For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel…whole.

I did this.

I brought him back.

For the first time in my life, I feel like I made the right decision. Like I’m helping them. Like I’m part of something bigger than myself.

It feels good.

But I should have known that something like this, this perfect life where an ‘unwanted’ omega like me can find a pack, a family, a home, was just a thing of dreams.

As the hours pass, we settle into an uneasy dance. The night is winding down, but the energy in the room remains electric, a charged hum of tension and triumph weaving through the conversations.

By now, I’ve fallen into a rhythm—watching, listening, and offering quiet reassurances when Finn glances my way. My hand brushes his arm every so often, his steady warmth a reminder that I’m not alone while Ren trails behind us, a silent shadow, his presence as commanding as it is unobtrusive.

His presence here, showing that Pack Ironwood is steady, strong, and unified, seems to make the negotiations even better.

I glance back at him once, just for a moment, and he catches my eye. The faintest flicker of a smile tugs at his lips. It’s enough to soothe the knot of nerves in my chest, at least for now.

“We’re almost through,” Finn says under his breath, leaning closer so only I can hear.

“I think it’s going well,” I reply, though my voice is quieter than I’d like. “Everyone seems…receptive.”

“They’re receptive because Jax and Stone know how to play the game,” Finn murmurs, his gray eyes scanning the room. “But this last conversation—this one’s critical.”

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