Page 113 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

He smiles, a real one this time, small but genuine. “Deal.”

As I drift back toward sleep, safe in the knowledge that Ren is watching over us, that Jax and Stone and Finn are all within arm’s reach, I realize something important.

I’m going to reclaim this.

I’m going to reclaim myself. My power.

Chapter 23

Stone

“Self-defense?” I look up from my coffee, eyebrow raised as Ren outlines his conversation with Hailey from the night before. The kitchen is quiet this early in the morning, just the two of us awake while the others sleep upstairs in the nest.

Ren nods, leaning against the counter. The bruising on his face has faded to yellows and greens rather than the vivid purples of a few days ago. He almost looks like himself again. “She asked me last night. After a nightmare.”

I consider this, turning my mug in my hands. “Makes sense.”

“You’re not against it?” There’s a hint of surprise in his voice.

“Why would I be?” I frown slightly. “She’s right to want to learn.”

Ren studies me, something like curiosity in his expression. “I thought you might prefer to just…protect her.”

The observation stings slightly, though I can’t deny the truth in it. I’ve always been the shield, the one who stands between danger and the pack. It’s my role, my purpose.

“I do want to protect her.” I nod. “Both of them. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to protect themselves.”

Ren’s posture relaxes marginally. “Good. Because I already said yes.”

“When do you plan to start?”

“Today, if she’s up for it.” He takes a sip from his mug—tea rather than coffee. “I was thinking we could use the gym on Bridge Street. Outside opening hours.”

I nod again, immediately seeing the wisdom in his choice. “Private. Secure. Plenty of mats.”

“Exactly.” He shifts his weight, wincing slightly as something pulls in his still-healing ribs. “We should involve Finn, too.”

“Obviously.” I don’t even consider the alternative. After everything that’s happened, after all the ways we’ve failed him, excluding Finn from this would be unforgivable.

Ren eyes me over the rim of his mug. “You’ve changed.”

The observation catches me off guard. “What do you mean?”

“Before everything with Heath and Caldwell, you would have argued against putting the omegas in any situation that might involve danger—even simulated danger during training.” He shrugs. “You were always the most protective.”

I snort. He’s wrong about that.He’salways been the most protective. But I take the blame here. It’s…nice talking to Ren.Actuallytalking to him for a change.

“We almost lost them both,” I say finally, my voice low. “And I couldn’t prevent it. None of us could.”

Ren’s throat moves. “So better to arm them.”

“Better to respect their choices,” I correct. “Better to be partners rather than simply…protectors.”

Something shifts in Ren’s expression. He nods once. Conversation completed.

Footsteps on the stairs interrupt any further discussion. Hailey appears in the doorway, hair tousled from sleep, one of my shirts hanging loose on her smaller frame. Four marks standout vivid against her neck, our claiming bites still fresh. The sight of them sends a jolt of possessive satisfaction through me.

Her eyes brighten when she sees us. “Morning.”

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