Knot Happening Again (Claimverse Book 2)
Knot Happening Again: Chapter 25

My bare feet sink into the plush carpet at the top of the stairs. The house is eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the passionate chaos of earlier. My skin still tingles from the alphas’ touches, but now a different kind of energy thrums through me.

Curiosity, tinged with a hint of unease.

‘Rhys?’ I call out softly, my voice echoing in the empty hallway. No response.

I take a tentative step down, the polished wood cool beneath my feet. The silk robe I hastily threw on whispers against my skin, a gentle reminder of my vulnerable state. My heat may have momentarily receded, but I can feel it simmering just beneath the surface, ready to flare up at any moment.

As I descend, the familiar scents of the pack envelop me—Rhys’s petrichor and sunlight, Mace’s freshly baked cookies, Troy’s bourbon and leather, Maddox’s warm vanilla. But there’s something else, a scent so achingly familiar it makes my heart stutter.

Cedar and citrus.

I freeze, my hand gripping the banister so tightly my knuckles turn white. It can’t be. I must be imagining things, my heat-addled brain playing cruel tricks on me.

But then I see him.

Leon.

My Leon.

He’s standing in the foyer, those light brown eyes I remember so vividly locked onto mine. For a moment, the world stops spinning. I blink rapidly, certain I must be hallucinating. But he’s still there, looking as shocked as I feel.

A thousand memories flood my mind—stolen kisses, lazy summer afternoons by the lake, the night he marked me and changed my life forever. I remember the softness of his white hair between my fingers, the warmth of his tan skin against mine, the way his scent used to make me feel safe and loved.

Now, that same scent makes me want to run and hide.

Tears spring to my eyes, blurring my vision. My legs feel weak, like they might give out at any moment. I grip the banister tighter, trying to steady myself, but it’s not enough. The world tilts dangerously, and for a moment, I think I might actually faint.

Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me from behind. The scent of freshly baked cookies fills my nostrils. Mace. He must have thought I was going to fall. His large frame is solid and warm against my back, grounding me in the moment.

‘Whoa there, little one,’ he murmurs, his deep voice rumbling through me. ‘I’ve got you.’

I lean into him, grateful for his support. Over his shoulder, I can see the others now—Rhys, Troy, and Maddox. Their faces are etched with worry, confusion clear in their eyes. But I can’t focus on them. All I can see is Leon.

He takes a step toward me, his hand outstretched as if to touch me. Panic surges through my body, hot and fierce. ‘No,’ I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I press myself further into Mace’s embrace, trying to put as much distance between Leon and me as possible.

The massive room suddenly feels too small, the air too thick. I can’t breathe. The walls seem to be closing in, the ornate wallpaper swirling in dizzying patterns. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat, each beat a painful reminder of my vulnerability.

I need to get out. Now.

Without thinking, I push away from Mace, ignoring his startled grunt. I rush back up the stairs, my bare feet slapping against the wood. I can hear the others calling after me, their voices a jumble of concern and confusion, but I don’t stop.

I burst into the nesting room, the door banging against the wall with the force of my entry. The scent of our earlier activities still lingers in the air—a heady mix of arousal and satisfaction that now turns my stomach.

I start rummaging through the discarded clothes on the floor, searching frantically for my own. My hands are shaking so badly I can barely grip the fabric. Tears blur my vision, making it hard to distinguish one item from another.

‘I have to leave,’ I mutter, more to myself than anyone else. My voice sounds strange to my own ears, high and panicky. ‘This was a mistake. I never should have come here.’

I hear the others enter the room behind me, their footsteps hesitant. Their voices wash over me, a cacophony of concern and questions, but I can’t make out individual words. It’s like I’m underwater, everything muffled and distorted.

‘Ophelia, please,’ I hear Maddox say, his beta instincts clearly kicking in as he tries to soothe the situation. ‘Just take a deep breath. We can figure this out.’

But I can’t stop. I continue my frantic search, tossing aside silk shirts and lacy underwear. Where are my clothes? I need to get out of here.

Suddenly, strong hands grip my shoulders, forcing me to stop. The scent of petrichor and sunlight fills my nostrils. Rhys. He turns me to face him, his green eyes intense as they search mine.

‘Ophelia,’ he says, his voice low and urgent. There’s a gentleness in his tone that makes my heart ache. ‘Please, tell me what’s wrong.’

I look into his eyes, and I can see that he already suspects it. There’s a sadness there, a resignation that breaks my heart all over again. I want to lie, to protect him from the truth, but I can’t. Not anymore.

For a split second, I wondered if he already knew. If they all did. If this was a trap. And maybe the fact that the suspicion never took root is proof I’ve already let my guard down too much, but I don’t want to believe he would do that to me. And the look in his eyes confirms it.

‘It’s him, isn’t it?’ Rhys asks softly, his thumbs rubbing soothing circles on my shoulders. ‘Leon is… the one who marked you?’

I can only nod, more tears slipping down my cheeks. I watch as something changes in Rhys’s eyes. A darkness I’ve never seen before clouds his usually warm gaze, and for a moment, I think he’s angry with me. I brace myself for rejection, for him to push me away in disgust.

Then, it hits me. What if he thinks I knew? What if they all think this is some kind of trap I set, to either get Leon back, or get my revenge?

But then Leon appears in the doorway, his voice hesitant as he asks, ‘Is she okay?’

Rhys whirls around, a snarl ripping from his throat. The sound is primal, filled with a rage I didn’t know Rhys was capable of. ‘Get out,’ he growls, and I realize his anger isn’t directed at me at all.

Leon freezes, his eyes darting between Rhys and me. I can see the hurt in his expression, the way his shoulders slump slightly. But there’s also a resignation there, as if he expected this reaction. ‘I’ll leave,’ he murmurs, taking a step back.

‘No,’ I say, my voice shaky but determined. I straighten my spine, trying to summon what little strength I have left. ‘This is your house. I’ll go. I never should have come here.’

I try to brush past Leon, but he stops me, his hand gentle on my arm. His touch sends a jolt through me, a mixture of longing and revulsion that makes me want to scream. Then, he does something I never expected. He uses his alpha voice, his bark. ‘Stay.’

I hate myself for responding to it, my body freezing in place against my will. And I hate him for using it, for exerting that control over me after everything he’s done. The unfairness of it all makes me want to lash out, to hurt him the way he hurt me.

‘You’re in heat,’ Leon says, his voice softer now but still firm. His eyes are pleading as they meet mine. ‘It’s dangerous out there. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who should leave.’

Rhys lets out a bitter laugh, the sound harsh and grating. ‘That’s the first time in a while we’ve agreed on anything. But if you ever use your bark on her again, it’ll be the last time you use it.’

The two alphas share a tense look, a silent communication passing between them. I can feel the weight of their history, the depth of their bond, and it makes me feel even more like an outsider.

Then, slowly, Leon releases my arm. He takes a step back, his eyes never leaving mine. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispers, and then he’s gone.

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the warmth of the room. I’m not sure what to do now.

Should I still leave? But where would I go? My apartment feels like a lifetime away, and the thought of facing the outside world in my current state is terrifying.

Before I can make a decision, Mace, Maddox, and Troy crowd into the room, surrounding me like a protective force. Their faces are a mix of concern and confusion as they look between Rhys and me. The tension in the air is palpable, thick enough to choke on.

‘Will someone tell us what’s going on?’ Troy asks, his usual swagger replaced by genuine worry. His blue eyes dart between us, searching for answers.

Rhys runs a hand through his hair, messing up the red strands even more. His voice is tight as he mutters, ‘It’s complicated. Leon is leaving for a while.’

He moves to brush past them, no doubt to see Leon out, but pauses at the door. ‘Make sure she stays put,’ he barks, his tone leaving no room for argument. The alpha command in his voice makes me shiver, even though it’s not directed at me.

I watch as the others exchange surprised glances. It’s clear from their reactions that Rhys isn’t usually this stern or commanding. The realization only adds to the turmoil in my chest.

What have I done to this pack? Have I ruined everything before it even had a chance to begin?

I’m still not sure what to do. Part of me wants to run, to get as far away from this mess as possible. But another part, the part that’s been longing for a pack, for a home, doesn’t want to leave. The conflicting desires war within me, leaving me frozen in indecision.

Mace makes the decision for me. He steps forward, his large frame moving with a grace that belies his size. Without a word, he pulls me into a crushing hug, his arms enveloping me completely. The combination of his soft belly and strong chest is oddly comforting, like being wrapped in the world’s warmest, safest blanket.

I replace myself relaxing into his embrace, my face pressed against his chest. His heartbeat is strong and steady under my ear, a soothing rhythm that helps calm my racing thoughts.

‘It’s okay, little one,’ he murmurs, his deep voice rumbling through me. ‘We’ve got you. You’re safe here.’

Troy clears his throat, a hint of his usual mischief returning to his voice. ‘Well, this is certainly not how I expected the evening to go,’ he says lightly, running a hand through his dark hair. ‘You’re hard to hold onto for a little thing.’

I can’t help but let out a watery chuckle at his attempt to lighten the mood. I appreciate the effort, even if it doesn’t quite erase the heaviness in my chest.

Maddox steps forward then. His warm brown eyes are filled with concern as he looks at me. ‘How about I draw you a bath?’ he suggests gently. ‘We don’t have to discuss any of this right now. Let’s just focus on getting you comfortable.’

I look at each of them in turn—Mace with his protective embrace, Troy with his tentative smile, Maddox with his kind eyes. They’re trying so hard to comfort me, to distract me from my panic and desire to flee. And despite everything, I replace myself wanting to stay.

‘Okay,’ I say softly, nodding. My voice is hoarse from crying, barely above a whisper. ‘I’ll stay. At least for tonight.’

The relief on their faces is palpable. Mace gives me one last squeeze before releasing me, and Maddox immediately heads to the en-suite to start the bath. I can hear the water running, the sound oddly soothing in the tense atmosphere of the room.

Troy moves to the bed, straightening the tangled sheets and fluffing the pillows. It’s such a domestic gesture, so at odds with his usual rock star persona, that it brings a small smile to my face.

As I watch them fuss over me, making sure I have everything I need, a new wave of emotion washes over me. These men, this pack, they care about me. They want me here. That much is clear, even if I’m questioning everything else after tonight, including my own sanity. The realization is both comforting and terrifying.

But now I know that the alpha who abandoned me, who left me with this broken mark and years of pain, is part of their pack too. The thought sends a fresh wave of panic through me.

How can I be part of a pack that includes Leon? How can I trust him not to hurt me again? And what about Rhys and the others? How will this affect their dynamics?

Maddox returns from the bathroom, steam billowing out behind him. ‘The bath is ready,’ he says softly. ‘I’ve added some lavender oil to help you relax. Do you need help getting in?’

I shake my head, not trusting my voice. As much as I appreciate their care, I need a moment alone to process everything that’s happened.

I make my way to the bathroom on shaky legs. The room is filled with steam, the mirror fogged over. The large tub is full of bubbles, the scent of lavender filling the air. It looks inviting, a temporary escape from the chaos of my emotions.

As I sink into the warm water, letting the soothing scents wash over me, I’m hit with the full weight of the situation. I’ve found a pack that feels right, that makes me feel safe and wanted. But that pack includes the very alpha who shattered my trust in the first place.

I close my eyes, letting out a shaky breath. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, or how we’ll navigate this complicated mess. But for now, surrounded by the care and concern of these alphas and beta, I allow myself to relax. Just for tonight, I’ll stay. Tomorrow, we’ll face whatever comes next.

But as I soak in the warm water, my mind can’t help but wander to Leon. The shock in his eyes when he saw me, the pain in his voice when he apologized.

I shake my head, sending droplets of water flying. I can’t let myself hope. Not again. Not after everything. Hope is a dangerous thing for someone like me, someone who’s been hurt and abandoned before.

But as I hear the low murmur of voices outside the bathroom door—Mace, Troy, and Maddox discussing how best to care for me—I can’t help but feel a flicker of something. Not quite hope, but not quite despair either. A tiny spark of possibility, fragile and tentative.

I sink deeper into the water, letting it cover me up to my chin. The warmth seeps into my muscles, easing some of the tension I’ve been carrying. For the first time in hours, I feel like I can breathe properly.