Page 77 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

“Fuck,” he breathes, tugging away from me as he sags against the wall. “What the hell is happening?”

It’s not really a question. Or if it is, it’s not one any of us can answer.

I should go back downstairs. Should give them privacy. Should trust that Finn can handle this, that he’ll call if he needs us. But…

“Stone.” Ren’s voice cracks. “I can’t…I need to know he’s…”

“I know.” I grip his shoulder, feeling the tremors running through him. “I know, but we have to trust him.”

A bitter laugh escapes him. “Trust? When has that ever worked out for any of us?”

The words hit hard. Because he’s right. Trust is what got Finn hurt in the first place. Trust is what let Hailey suffer alone in that cabin for days while I tried to figure out what to do. Trust is what’s keeping Ren from telling us whatever’s eating him alive right now.

But trust is also what brought us together. What made us pack. What gives us strength when everything else falls apart.

“Come on.” I tug gently at his arm. “Let’s go down. Give them space.”

He resists for a moment, eyes fixed on the door like he can see through it. Then, slowly, he nods.

We make it just one step down before another sound drifts from the room—a soft, broken. A sob.

Ren freezes, every muscle going rigid. “Stone?—”

“No.” I tighten my grip on his arm. “Listen.”

Because it’s not just crying we’re hearing. There are words too, Finn’s voice weaving through the tears. Soothing. Comforting. And underneath it all, their scents remain steady. Calm.

“She’s grieving,” Jax says quietly from below. “Let her.”

Ren makes a sound like he’s being strangled. “You don’t understand. You don’t know what?—”

“Then tell us.” I turn to face him, keeping my voice low but firm. “Tell us what has you so fucking scared right now.”

For a moment—one breathtaking moment—I think he might actually do it. His eyes meet mine, full of such raw pain it steals my breath. His lips part…

Then the mask slams back into place.

“Nothing,” he growls, yanking his arm free. “I told you, it’s nothing.”

He takes the stairs two at a time, shouldering past Jax at the bottom. We watch him stalk to the front window, resume his pacing like nothing happened.

But something did happen. Something about this situation has cracked him open in a way I’ve never seen before. And whatever he’s hiding…

“Let him be,” Jax murmurs, reading my intention to follow. “He’ll tell us when he’s ready.”

“And if he’s never ready?” The words come out a bit too sharp. “If whatever this is puts them in danger?”

“Then we’ll deal with it.” He catches my arm as I reach the final step, tugging me down to sit beside him.

For a long moment, he says nothing.

“What are you thinking?”

He shakes his head slowly. “Not sure yet.” He pauses. “You ever heard of anything like this? Two omegas connecting so strongly?”

I shake my head.

Jax studies his shoes. “Of all the places she could have gone, she came here. To him.”

---