Page 57 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

All four Ashgraves smile in unison, and there’s nothing friendly about it—just teeth and hunger, predators who’ve spotted an opportunity.

“Partners,” Ellis says, the word lingering in the air between us. “Of a sort.”

Jax studies them for a long moment, weighing options. I can almost see his mind working, calculating risks against rewards, time against strategy.

“Fine,” he agrees finally. “Ten percent.”

“Thirty,” Connor counters immediately.

“Twenty,” Jax says firmly. “And that’s beingfuckinggenerous.”

The Ashgraves exchange another series of looks. Riordan, apparently their spokesperson in this negotiation, nods once. “Agreed.”

“Well then,” Declan says, rolling his shoulders like a fighter preparing to enter the ring, “let’s go kill a bitch.”

We move toward the door, equipment bags in hand. I check the gun strapped to my hip one last time, making sure it’s secure. The weight is reassuring, grounding.

As they reach for the door handle, Riordan looks back at me. “You’re bringing your omega?”

I freeze, my hand still on the gun. The way he says “your omega”, like I’m some fragile thing, makes my blood boil all over again.

I look up, meeting his gaze. “My name is Finn,” I say clearly, “and I’m not just an omega. This involves Hailey, mymate, and I’m coming too.”

“This isn’t a game,” Ellis says, his deep voice resonating in the small room. “What we’re walking into?—”

“You think I don’t know that?” I cut him off. “You think because I’m an omega, I can’t fight?”

“Finn can handle himself,” Stone says, placing a hand on my shoulder.

“Better than most alphas I’ve seen,” Jax adds, and the pride in his voice makes my chest warm despite everything.

Declan still looks skeptical. “If he slows us down?—”

“I won’t,” I interrupt, meeting his stare. “Worry about keeping up yourself.”

A tense silence follows my challenge. For a moment, I think I’ve pushed too far—these aren’t just any alphas; they’re Ashgraves, known for their ruthlessness.

Then Connor laughs—a short, surprised sound. “I like this one,” he tells Jax, who doesn’t look amused.

“Look,” Stone says, pulling on tactical gloves, “we need to move. Ren’s tracking Caldwell. We hit the facility. Heath is the priority.”

Jax nods, his expression hardening. “She doesn’t leave that building alive.”

“Agreed,” Riordan says, and for the first time, I sense genuine alignment between our goals.

“Let’s be clear about one thing,” Jax says, stopping us before we can exit. “This is a partnership of necessity. We work together, we complete the objective, we get our people back.But if any of you puts my pack at risk, our business deal will be the least of your concerns.”

It’s a bold threat to make to four Ashgrave alphas. The air in the room seems to still, heavy with potential violence.

Riordan studies Jax for a long moment, then nods once. “Understood, Ironwood. The same applies to you.”

“We should split up,” Ellis suggests. “Two teams. More efficient coverage.”

Jax shakes his head. “No. We stay together. I don’t trust you enough to divide forces.”

“Smart,” Connor murmurs. “Doesn’t trust us not to complete the job without him.”

“Can you blame him?” I ask, unable to help myself.

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