Page 151 of Knot Baked Out For This
"I did," she says, wonder in her voice. "I actually did."
"How do you feel?"
"Empty. But good empty? Like I've been carrying rocks in my pockets and finally remembered I can put them down."
"That's healing."
"That's terrifying."
"Same thing sometimes."
She smiles then, real and warm, and rises up on her tiptoes.
I meet her halfway, kissing her as the sunrise paints us gold and the fire consumes the last of what tried to break her. Shetastes like freedom and tears and the kind of strength that only comes from choosing to let go.
When we part, she's smiling.
"Thank you. For knowing what I needed before I did."
"Always," I say, meaning it.
We stand together watching the sun climb higher, her past nothing but smoke on the wind, and I let myself feel the satisfaction of giving her this—this moment, this release, this new beginning.
But underneath the satisfaction, something darker coils.
Because Korrin did this.
Broke this incredible woman down until she believed she was nothing. Made her hate her body, her voice, her very existence. Sent her roses, knowing what they meant, trying to drag her back into that darkness.
He needs to pay.
Not in some dramatic, violent way—I'm not Levi with his impulsive rage or Rowan with his protective fury. I'm the one who plans, who calculates, who makes sure consequences stick.
Korrin thinks he can reach into our town, our territory, our omega's life, and cause pain without repercussion.
He's wrong.
I'll make sure he learns exactly how wrong.
But that's for later. Right now, Hazel is smiling at the sunrise, wearing a dress that shows her curves, standing tall instead of shrinking, and that's everything.
The fire dies to embers behind us, taking her pain with it.
And in my mind, another fire starts—cold and patient and aimed at the Alpha who thought he could break her permanently.
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
But first, you have to let the past burn.
CHAPTER 28
Caught Between Sunrise And Sin
~HAZEL~
The golden tendrils of dawn weave through the mist-shrouded peaks, painting our secret vantage point in hues of molten amber and rose, as if the world below us is awakening just for this stolen moment between Luca and me.
We're perched on the weathered wooden fence at the cliff's edge, my shoulder brushing against his solid warmth, watching the sunrise crest over Oakridge Hollow like a promise fulfilled.
