Page 42 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

The omega in me wants to curl up and cry, to let it all out to the forest. I stumble back from the window, nearly tripping over a root. I have to get out of here. Have to get away before?—

Before what? Before she sees me? Before my alphas find out I know? Before I have to face the truth that’s been staring me in the face for years now?

The forest seems to spin around me as I turn, ready to flee, but then some part of me, the part that’s always resisted my designation, says “wait”.

My spine stiffens and something hot and fierce replaces the panic in my chest.Why am I running? This ismyhome.Mypack.Myalphas.

The omega in me whimpers at the thought of confrontation, but another voice—stronger, angrier—drowns it out. How dare they? How dare they bring another omega here? How dare they lie and sneak around like I’m nothing?

My hands clench into fists at my sides as the anger builds, burning away the fear. Two years of tiptoeing around each other. Two years of trying to piece myself back together while they pulled away. Two years of pretending everything was fine when nothing was fine at all.

And nowthis?

I march around to the front of the cabin, each step fueled by rage and hurt and two years’ worth of unspoken words. The porch steps creak under my feet—let them creak. Let her know I’m coming. I’m done hiding.

My hand closes around the doorknob, and for a split second, I hesitate. Her scent is stronger here, seeping through the cracks around the door. Sweet. Pure. Perfect.

No. I won’t let that stop me.

I throw the door open, and her scent hits me like it’s something physical. Honey and vanilla flood my senses, so intense I stagger.My knees buckle and I catch myself on the doorframe, a groan escaping my lips before I can stop it.

She’s perfuming. The bitch! Perfuming while she dreams about Jax? Stone? Ren? Fuck! What is this? Why does she smell so…so…

Through watering eyes, I spot her huddled in the corner. She’s wearing Stone’s clothes—his favorite grey Henley hangs loose on her frame, and one of his jackets is clutched to her chest like a shield. The sight sends another wave of pain through me, different from the first. More familiar. This is the pain I know—betrayal, loss, heartbreak.

I sniff, eyes watering some more through the potency of her scent. Fuck. But I can’t smell the others. The only alpha I can smell is Stone. This is Stone’s cabin. And he’s been here…but Jax and Ren…they haven’t. Not for a long time, at least. There’s no evidence of their scents here. Nothing lingering. It’s just Stone…andher.

Wait, do Jax and Ren even know about this omega?

This doesn’t make sense. Of course, they do…right?

I don’t know. They’ve all been at each other’s throats. Maybe…maybe they’re not all on the same page with this…this new development.Fuck.

The truth is staring me in the face—or more like hitting me in the nose. Stone’s the only one that’s been here. Stone’s the one that’s doing this.

There’s a brief moment of hope that flashes through me at the probability that Jax and Ren might still want me, but that hope is dashed when my gaze focuses on the omega in the corner.

Because if Stone wants her…the others will, too.

“Who are you?” My voice comes out rougher than usual, caught between a growl and a whimper. “How long has he been keeping you here?”

She doesn’t answer. Just stares at me with wide, frightenedeyes. Andfuck, the omega in me responds to her fear. Wanting to comfort, yet wanting to hide. I shove the instinct downhard.

“Did you know about me?” I demand, forcing myself to stand straight despite how her scent makes me want to crawl closer. “Did he tell you they already had an omega? Or did he pretend I don’t exist?”

Oh my God. Has she gone into heat with him? Did he help her through it? Did…did Stone give her his knot?

The thought makes me choke, air getting stuck in my lungs so hard I can no longer breathe.

“How long have you been here?” I barely get the words out.

Still no response. She presses herself further into the corner, gripping Stone’s jacket tighter. The sleeves of the Henley ride up slightly with the movement, and that’s when I see them—bandages. White gauze wrapped carefully around both wrists, disappearing up under her sleeves.

Something in my chest shifts, anger giving way to confusion. Those bandages…they look fresh. Professional. Stone’s work, maybe? He always was the best at first aid.

In the dim light, I catch sight of yellowing bruises along her jaw and chin.

“Are you…” I start to ask if she’s hurt, but the words die in my throat as she suddenly moves.

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