Page 99 of Chain Me Knot

“Pack Blackwood won't hesitate to help us. Saving Leah is as personal to them as it is to us,” Phoenix says.

He’s right. Thisispersonal—deeply so. For Adrian, Cole, and Zane, this is about Mira. For my alphas, it’s about me. About protecting one small, fragile omega who thought the world had long forgotten her, but the truth is, these extraordinary alphas would have stepped forward for Leah anyway. They'd rescue any omega at risk, because they're not like the alphas we've been subjected to before. Not cruel, indifferent, or selfish. These alphas cherish instead of hurt, protect instead of dominate, and carry strength deeply rooted in kindness.

The heavy fear around my heart loosens, releasing knots of old pain and guilt. Leah won’t be alone in this fight. They surround me completely, a careful web of strength and endless devotion woven in their every quiet gesture, whispered word, and fierce promise.

Anxiety twists painfully in my chest. There are too many unknowns, too many ways this could go wrong, but despite that, I know they’re right. Withoutabsolute, undeniable proof, someone as powerful as Commissioner Axel Turns will slip through every net we try to cast.

He'll walk free.

They'll all walk free.

And Leah will be lost forever.

The next several hours pass in a tense blur of intense planning and calls to Pack Blackwood. They didn’t even have to think before agreeing to help us. My alphas move like the choreographed team they are. Phoenix paces as he brainstorms details, Soren taps at his keyboard, narrowing logistics and timing, and Asher coordinates communications with Adrian, Cole, and Zane.

The courage in their voices calms, even as the high-stakes, intricate web of our plan sends anxiety crawling beneath my skin. No matter how prepared these three powerful alphas are, I know they feel the gnawing, relentless knowledge that a single mistake could shatter the only chance we have.

Adrian assures Asher he'll deploy his elite security team—Pack Hawthorne—to keep tabs on the commissioner and Pack Carmichaels’ whereabouts, and to also be at the gala, adding their considerable strength to our own.

That makes nine devoted, formidable, and determined alphas to help rescue Leah. Yet, despite their combined abilities and reputation, fear whispers beneath my optimism. Even with Pack Hawthorne’s strength behind us, there's no predicting how many others at the gala will be working against us. Hidden threats we can’t plan for. Worry still gathers in my own chest, my own personal storm cloud.

I lift my head, determination threading through my fear. “We need to talk to the commissioner's omega. The male on the…dog leash. He said other numbers too, on that day at my auction. When I heard 'one four six five,' he muttered something else.” My eyes widen with the memory, and I grip Asher’s arm tightly. “He said ‘one zero five seven’. If one four six five is the commissioner, then maybe the other is equally important.”

Asher’s gaze locks onto mine and swings to Phoenix and Soren. “Did any of you catch a clear image of this omega in the footage? Can anyone recognize him?”

Soren brings up a section of the video and enlarges a still of the omega’s face. The footage clears slowly, sharpened by whatever tech-magic he's using, and a gaunt, hollow-cheeked face stares back from the screen, empty eyes shadowed beneath bruised skin.

My chest tightens. He's so utterly frail, skin stretched taut over sunken cheekbones, those mismatched eyes empty and shattered beneath heavy lines of trauma. My breath becomes shallow, aching in my chest as I look at him, my fingers stiffening against Asher's arm. Whoever this omega is, he's been broken down to almost nothing, a shadow of what he once must have been.

Asher goes rigid. Phoenix curses, disbelief in his voice. They shift closer to the screen, absolute shock rippling through our bond.

“HolyGods,” Phoenix whispers, horror etched across his features, “That'sAubrey—Pack Turns' omega! He looks completely different. I…I didn’t recognize him!”

“How could we not have recognized him?” Asher rasps.

“Whatever the commissioner has done to Aubrey, it's monstrous. He's less than half the omega he once was.” Soren drags a hand over his face.

Aubrey. At least now I know his name. I also know only too well how that level of abuse hollows out a soul. The vacant, hopeless stare on his sunken features fills me with painful understanding. Aubrey is broken, traumatized beyond imagining. I swallow hard, tears pricking behind my eyes.

“We rescue Aubrey too, then. Not just for the information he might hold but because no omega deserves that,” Asher says, his voice hoarse.

Something inside me loosens, the tightest knot of tension easing at their immediate trust. Yet anxiety still lingers. I clutch Asher’s hand, as nervy dread coils inside. “I'm so scared. What if none of this works? Something could change. Anything could stop them from bringing Leah to that gala.”

Asher cups my face, his thumb stroking soothing warmth along my cheekbone. “Then we keep trying. If something changes, we’ll make sure we’re on top of it. We will get her back and we will take down the commissioner.”

I release a shaky, grateful breath, and squeeze his fingers. “Thank you…for everything you're doing. For Leah, for all of us.”

His dark eyes grow more intense. “Emma, there’s nothing we wouldn't do for any omega who needs our help. But especially you. We're yours, completely at your command.”

Warmth blossoms beneath my ribs as truth resonates between us. My voice shakes as I whisper. “Then I command some anxiety relief, Alpha.”

“As you wish, Omega.” Asher's mouth tips into a quiet, soft smile. He dips his head, claiming my lips in a warm, tender kiss that sinks into my bones.

For one precious, perfect moment I lose myself, breathing in his strength, because despite all the danger ahead, I trust these alphas—my mates—with my life and with my heart.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Emma

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