Page 91 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

Stone’s brow furrows. He steps forward, his voice dropping. “Finn?”

I exhale sharply. “I’m fine.”

“Bullshit.” His directness catches me off guard. I hadn’t thought they’d want to face this so soon. Thought we’d push itaway for a bit longer. The fact he’s calling me out makes me equally happy and equally distressed.

I glare at him. “What do you want me to say, Stone? That it’s fine? That I’m justso happywe’re all one big, happy pack again?”

His jaw tightens. “No. I want you to tell us how badly we fucked up.”

The honesty in his voice makes my mouth slam shut.

Ren nods, his gaze never leaving mine. “We hurt you. All of us. Not just with Hailey—before that, too. We kept things from you. Made decisions without you.”

My chest aches. “Yeah. You did.”

Stone steps closer. “We’re sorry.”

Two words. So simple. But they unravel something inside me.

I look away, blinking hard. “It’s not just about the apologies. It’s about trust.”

“We know,” Ren says softly. “And we’ll earn it back. However long it takes.I’llearn it back.”

Stone reaches out, hesitates, then rests a hand on my shoulder. “You’re our omega, Finn. Ourfirstomega. We got so caught up in protecting you that we forgot you don’tneedprotecting. Not like that.”

I swallow.

A floorboard creaks. Jax stands there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

How much did he hear?

His gaze locks onto mine. “They’re right.”

I raise an eyebrow. What the hell’s happening? “You’re apologizing too?”

A ghost of a smile touches his lips. “Yeah. I am.”

I exhale, long and slow.

It’s not fixed. Not even close. But it’s a start.

I pick up the knife again. “Hailey’s going to be hungry when she wakes up.”

Ren nods, turning back to the eggs. Stone squeezes my shoulder before letting go. Jax steps into the kitchen, grabbing a mug from the cupboard.

The weight of what they’ve said—of what they’re trying to do—settles as I arrange strawberries around the rim of a plate. A peace offering, but not just to Hailey. To me, too.

I’m not sure I’m ready to accept it yet. Not entirely.

Because I still see Heath’s men dragging Hailey away at the gala when I close my eyes. Still feel the sting of being abandoned because my pack thought the truth was too much for me to bear.

“How long do you think we have?” Jax asks, leaning against the counter. “I should shower before she wakes.”

“A few hours, maybe.” I add blueberries to the plate. “Her heat’s easing. Not as intense now.”

Stone hands me a small bowl of yogurt. When I look up in surprise, he shrugs. “Thought you might want this for the berries.”

The gesture is small, but it registers. Stone, noticing what I’m doing. Anticipating what I need.

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