Page 151 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

The evening softens into something quieter as episodes blend together. Finn’s commentary becomes less animated, more thoughtful, punctuated by comfortable silences. When he shifts to grab another slice of pizza, I find myself leaning slightly into the warmth of his shoulder.

“Cold?” Stone asks, noticing the movement.

I shake my head, but he’s already moving. The muscles in his chest rise and shift against my arm as he reaches for one of the softer blankets. He looks completely focused as he drapes it over both Finn and me, making sure it covers our feet.

“Better?”

The gentle concern in his voice makes my chest tight. I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

“Good.” He settles back, closer than before, his pine scent flooding into my nose and seeming to go in a straight line through me, culminating low in my pelvis. I shift, swallowing hard, trying to ignore it.

Finn yawns, stretching like a cat before curling back into his spot. “We should do this more often.” His cheeks suddenly flame red. “I mean?—”

“You’re right.” Stone’s agreement is soft. Thoughtful. “Weshoulddo this more often.”

Something passes between them—a look loaded with history I don’t quite understand. One that makes my heart feel heavy. DoesStone even know? Does he know what Finn is planning? What Finn told me? That he’s going to leave?

My focus shifts back to Finn. To the way his cheeks are still flaming. To the way he’s looking at the screen now in a way that tells me he’s really trying not to stare at Stone instead.

He can’t leave.

I can’t let him.

The TV is playing now, but none of us are really watching anymore. Slowly, Finn’s breathing evens out beside me, his hand reaching for and loosely holding mine. Soon, I find myself fighting to keep my eyes open, not wanting this moment to end.

Stone notices my struggle first. His hand moves from the edge of the blanket, hesitating before gently pulling the fabric higher around my shoulders.

“You don’t have to fight it,” he whispers, voice pitched low to avoid disturbing Finn. “Sleep if you need to.”

I want to protest, but my body feels heavy, weighted down by warmth and the lingering exhaustion of the day.

“I…” How do I explain that I’m afraid this peace will shatter the moment I close my eyes? How do I explain I don’t want to lose this?

“I’ll keep watch,” Stone murmurs, but his voice sounds far away.

I don’t remember closing my eyes.

But I remember opening them to cold fluorescent lights and sterile metal walls. The nest’s warmth vanishes, replaced by the bite of rope against my wrists. The Academy’s halls stretch endless before me, the air thick with antiseptic and fear.

Footsteps echo. Getting closer.

No. No, I got out. I’m not there anymore. I’m…

A door slams somewhere, the sound like a piercing gunshot that doesn’t stop echoing against the metal walls. My heart slams against my ribs as voices approach—detached voices discussingomega hormones and heat cycles like they’re talking about livestock instead of people.

“That one is promising. We already have a buyer lined up…”

The words chase me down the corridor as I run. But my legs won’t work right, moving like I’m underwater. The footsteps get closer. Closer.

A hand grabs my throat?—

“Hailey.”

The voice cuts through the nightmare, warm and familiar. Sage. Finn.

“Hailey, you’re okay. You’re safe. You’re in the nest. With us.”

Reality bleeds back slowly. The Academy’s harsh lights fade, replaced by the soft glow of the TV. Instead of cold tile under my hands, there’s the plush comfort of blankets. And the hand on my throat…no, not on my throat. On my shoulder, gentle and steady.

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