Page 125 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

Understanding dawns on her face. “So Heath’s associate would think I’m making a move…”

“But you wouldn’t actually have to do anything,” I finish. “No public appearance, no real statements. Just the rumor of one.”

The alphas exchange glances, considering the proposal. It’s Stone who speaks first, cautious approval in his voice.

“It could work.”

“We’d still need to increase security,” Jax adds, practical as always. “If they believe the rumor, they might still come after her.”

“But we’d be prepared,” Ren says, rejoining the conversation from his position by the window. “We’d know they were coming. We could control the situation.”

Hailey looks between them, then back to me, a small smile playing at her lips. “It’s a good plan, Finn. And it doesn’t require anyone to take unnecessary risks.”

The simple acknowledgment warms something in me.

“We’d need to craft the tip carefully,” Jax says, shifting into planning mode. “Make it believable but vague enough that they can’t immediately dismiss it. Maybe tell them she’ll be dropping off a USB drive with all the information at a certain place.”

“And then we wait,” Stone adds. “See who reacts.”

Ren nods, his expression thoughtful. “The Ashgraves could help with that part.”

I watch as they build on my suggestion, incorporating it into a broader strategy, treating it as the foundation rather thanan afterthought. The feeling is…indescribable. Like finally being heard after years of shouting into the wind.

Beside me, Hailey seems to sense my emotion, bumping her shoulder gently against mine. “Good thinking,” she murmurs, just for me. “As always.”

I lean in, capturing her lips in mine. I can’t help it as I slide down into the couch on top of her, a soft whimper releasing from my throat as I settle between her legs.

Somewhere in the room, I’m barely aware of Jax, Stone, and Ren finalizing the plan. Stone will head out tonight, leaving the fake USB drive at some location in the park. Meanwhile, Ren’s already texting the Ashgraves, notifying them of the plan.

That bitch Veyra Heath isn’t getting away with this.

Chapter 26

Hailey

Morning light streams through the kitchen windows, casting a warm glow over the countertops as I reach for the flour. The house feels different today—still tense, still on edge with the knowledge that Heath is out there somewhere, but also filled with a sense of purpose that wasn’t there before. We have a plan now. A way forward.

Stone left earlier to plant the USB drive that would supposedly contain my “evidence” against Heath and her network. Now we wait. And in the meantime, we try to maintain some semblance of normalcy.

“Lunch isn’t going to cook itself,” Finn says, bumping his hip against mine as he slides past with a cutting board full of diced vegetables. “Though watching you stare at that flour is oddly entertaining.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Sorry. Got lost in thought.”

“Dangerous territory,” he teases, dumping the vegetables into a bowl. “What’s on the menu anyway? Besides…flour.”

“Homemade pizza,” I reply, measuring the flour into a large mixing bowl. “I haven’t ever made it before, but the directions in the cookbook look easy.”

Finn grins. “Alright, but bold of you to assume I won’t eat all the toppings before they make it onto the dough.”

I swat at him with a dish towel. “Touch my pineapple and you’re dead to me.”

He gasps in mock horror. “Stone will have a fit.” Then he does a mock voice pretending to be Stone. “Pineapple on pizza? You’re a monster.”

“Yeah, but he puts ketchup on eggs.”

Finn bursts out laughing, still mocking Stone’s voice. “That was one time!” he mock protests. “And I was hungover.”

I can’t help but chuckle.

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