Page 266 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

I nod, even though my stomach twists with unease. There’s something about the way Finn says it, the weight in his tone, that makes me feel like this moment is more important than anything else that’s happened tonight.

We move toward the far side of the room, where a small, exclusive group has gathered near the marble staircase. The air feels heavier here, the laughter quieter, more restrained. These are the power players, the ones who don’t need to flaunt their influence because it’s already understood.

Stone and Jax lead the way, their shoulders squared and their expressions carefully neutral. I follow a step behind them, walking beside Finn, who’s unusually quiet. Ren, as always, brings up therear, his presence a silent reassurance that I cling to even as my nerves threaten to fray.

It’s not until we’re closer that I realize who we’re approaching.

It’s that woman. The one we’d seen on the TV that evening in Finn’s nest, when we were curled up watching that ridiculous dating show. Veyra Heath. The business mogul who’d been interested in Iron Fitness—the one Stone had seemed reluctant to discuss.

At first, I think she’s an omega.

It’s the way she holds herself—poised, graceful, her movements fluid and unhurried. Her presence commands attention without demanding it, and there’s something almost ethereal about the way she stands at the center of the group. She’s breathtaking, with dark eyes framed by lashes that fan her face like delicate feathers. Her sleek black dress hugs her figure in all the right ways, the fabric shimmering faintly under the chandelier’s light. Her hair, a cascade of midnight silk, frames her strong, regal features, and her smile—polite but distant—suggests a quiet, effortless power.

I’ve never seen an omega like her.

But then she speaks.

“Stone Ironwood,” she says, her voice smooth and low, like velvet over steel. “I’m surprised to see you here. I was curious to see how you’d handle…recent events.”

Her voice reaches me, and the familiar cadence strikes like a slap across the face, sharp and disorienting. My steps falter, and I barely manage to keep my balance as the sound of it echoes in my mind. It’s familiar—too familiar—and the realization is like a jolt of electricity racing down my spine.

No.

It can’t be.

I force myself to keep moving, my hand gripping Finn’s arm to steady myself as Stone responds.

“We’re handling them,” he says simply, his tone firm but respectful.

Jax steps forward then, his usual charm tempered by a quiet intensity. “We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us, Veyra. As alpha to your renowned pack, your neutrality has always been a cornerstone to our city’s stability, and we’d like to ensure that stability continues.”

Alpha.

The word lands like a second blow, leaving me breathless.

She’s not an omega.

She’s analpha.

And now that I know, I can feel it—the weight of her presence, the subtle but undeniable way her authority fills the space around her. Female alphas are rare, almost unheard of, and standing this close to one is nothing short of surreal.

I glance at Finn, but his expression is unreadable, his gray eyes fixed on Veyra with a quiet intensity. Stone and Jax, meanwhile, seem completely at ease, their movements calm and deliberate as they hold her attention.

But I can’t focus on their words.

All I can think about is her voice, the way it lingers in the air like a memory I can’t quite place. It’s familiar in a way that makes my chest tighten, my stomach twist. I know that voice. Iknowit.

And then it hits me.

The Academy.

The room tilts for a moment, and I have to fight to keep my breathing steady as the memories flood back. Her voice, calm and commanding, echoing through the sterile halls. Her scent—that muted jasmine that I could always smell when she leaned too close. I didn’t know her name then. I never saw her face. But I knew the sound of her voice, the feel of her presence, the way it made my skin crawl and my heart race in equal measure.

It’sher.

The realization sends a fresh wave of anxiety crashing over me, but I force myself to stay calm, to keep my expression neutral. I can’t let her see how she affects me—not here, not now.

“Ah, you’ve never met our omegas, have you?” Jax says, his voice calm but firm. “This is Finn.”

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