Knot Happening Again (Claimverse Book 2)
Knot Happening Again: Chapter 4

Leon stands in front of the mirror in the foyer, straightening his tie as he prepares to leave.

‘Are you sure you don’t want us to wait until you’re back?’ I ask, unable to keep the hint of disappointment from my voice.

Leon shakes his head. ‘No, there’s no need for that.’

I sigh. ‘I just wish you and Maddox could come with us. It’s just my luck that the agency finally called right as you had to leave for your fight.’

‘I know,’ Leon murmurs. ‘But Maddox had to fly ahead to prepare, and you know how important this match is.’

‘I know, I know,’ I grumble. ‘Go kick some ass. We’ll hold down the fort here.’

Leon chuckles. ‘Keep these knuckleheads in line. And call me as soon as you’re done at the agency, okay?’

‘I will,’ I promise. ‘Be careful, alright?’

I can’t help but worry about him. Even more than I worry about the others. We may not be a couple, but it’s not exactly natural for an alpha to be separated from his pack, let alone one he’s bonded to.

That and Leon has been even more distant lately. Part of me is afraid it’s the whole omega thing, even if he’s saying he’s fine with it.

‘Aww, saying your tearful goodbyes?’ Troy’s voice cuts through the moment, dripping with mock disgust. ‘Some of us are trying to keep our breakfast down.’

I roll my eyes, but can’t help laughing as I turn to see Troy leaning against the doorframe, his signature smirk firmly in place.

He’s actually made an attempt to halfway style his short black hair, but it still falls into those intensely blue eyes of his. I guess it matches his aesthetic as the brooding musician he is, but I’m relieved he toned it down today, wearing a nice black button down and slacks. Even if it’s still monotone.

I’m starting to think if he even touched colorful fabric, he’d spontaneously combust, but beggars can’t be choosers.

‘You’re just jealous of our bond,’ I tease.

‘Of you two saps? Not likely,’ Troy scoffs, but there’s no real heat behind his words.

Leon gives me a light tap on the shoulder before picking up his briefcase. ‘Alright, I’m off. Try not to burn the place down while I’m gone.’

‘No promises!’ Troy calls after him as Leon heads out the door.

As soon as Leon’s car disappears down the driveway, I turn to Troy and Mace, who’s just lumbered into the entryway.

‘Ready to go?’ I ask.

Mace grunts in affirmation, while Troy just shrugs. ‘Let’s go meet our new potential baby mama,’ Troy drawls.

I swat his arm as we head out to my car. ‘Don’t be crude. This is a big deal for all of us. And this is just a temporary arrangement.’

I need to remind myself of that more than anyone.

The drive to Temporary Bonds is filled with Troy trying to get more than a few words out of Mace. I tune them out, my mind racing with possibilities.

What will our potential omega be like?

Will she fit in with our pack?

Will she even like us?

Before I know it, we’re pulling up to the sleek glass building that houses Temporary Bonds.

As we enter the lobby, I’m struck again by how professional and welcoming it feels. Nothing like the seedy clubs or matchmaking services I’ve heard horror stories about from my patients.

Samantha greets us with a warm smile, her beta scent calm and reassuring. ‘Welcome back, gentlemen. If you’ll follow me, we can get started.’

As we follow her down a hallway lined with tasteful artwork, she glances back at us. ‘I noticed you’re missing two members today. Is everything alright?’

‘Everything is fine,’ I assure her quickly. ‘Leon has a fight coming up, and Maddox is his manager. They had to fly out early, but they know about this meeting and they’re willing to accept any omega we agree to.’

Samantha nods, leading us into a cozy consultation room. ‘Wonderful. Well, let’s get started, shall we? I have some exciting news for you.’

We settle into the plush chairs as Samantha takes a seat behind a sleek desk. ‘When we spoke on the phone, I mentioned we had found a potential match for your pack,’ she begins, her fingers dancing over a tablet. ‘However, I’m pleased to inform you that we actually have three omegas who came up as matches in our database.’

I blink in surprise, exchanging glances with Troy and Mace. ‘Three?’ I repeat. ‘That’s… unexpected.’

Samantha nods, her smile apologetic. ‘We didn’t call earlier because we were waiting on your background checks to clear. There was a minor issue with one of them.’ Her gaze flicks to Mace, who shifts uncomfortably in his seat. ‘Something about a skinny dipping incident?’ she adds delicately.

Mace’s face flushes a deep red as Troy bursts into laughter. ‘That was years ago,’ Mace grumbles. ‘I was a dumb college kid.’

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. ‘The charges were dropped, right?’

Samantha nods quickly. ‘Oh yes, it’s not an issue. We just have to be thorough, you understand. We can never be too careful about protecting the omegas that come through our doors. Especially since some are from troubled pasts.’

A pang of concern shoots through me at the thought of omegas being mistreated. “Of course,” I say quietly. “Omegas are precious.”

Samantha’s expression softens. ‘I’m glad you understand. Now, let me show you the profiles of your potential matches.’ She hands me a tablet, and I lean in so Troy and Mace can see as well.

The first two profiles are of beautiful omega women, both with detailed lists of qualifications and preferences. They’re lovely, but I don’t feel any real connection as I skim their information. The one is only nineteen and the other just turned twenty-one, so I have a hard time imagining either of them fitting in with the pack. That and the idea of dating a woman who’s younger than my little sister makes me uneasy.

Then we get to the third profile, and my breath catches in my throat.

Ophelia.

Even in just a photo, she’s stunning. Long raven hair frames a heart-shaped face, and piercing blue eyes seem to stare right through the screen.

I’m immediately smitten.

‘Damn,’ Troy mutters beside me. ‘She’s gorgeous.’

Mace grunts in agreement, but Troy quickly adds, ‘Bet she’s high maintenance, though. Probably a real princess.’

I shoot him a warning look before turning back to the tablet. As I read through Ophelia’s profile, I’m struck by how little she’s specified. Unlike the other omegas, who had long and detailed lists of requirements, Ophelia’s only preference is for a pack.

‘She’s twenty-five,’ I murmur, relieved and curious at once. It’s hard to replace an omega who isn’t snapped up by a pack by her early twenties. Especially one that gorgeous. ‘I wonder why she hasn’t bonded with an alpha yet.’

As I scroll further, something else on her profile catches my eye. ‘Special circumstances?’ I look up at Samantha. ‘What does that mean?’

Samantha’s expression grows somber. ‘Ophelia is… well, she’s an omega with a… complicated mating mark.’

I feel the blood drain from my face as Troy and Mace exchange confused looks.

‘Complicated?’ Troy asks, brow furrowed. ‘What does that mean?’

Before Samantha can answer, the words tumble from my mouth. It can only be one thing. ‘It means an alpha started the process of marking her, but didn’t finish it before abandoning her.’ My voice is tight with barely contained anger. ‘It can lead to a painful, even dangerous condition called bond sickness, until the mark is broken by another alpha.’

Samantha looks impressed. ‘You certainly know your stuff, Dr. Thompson.’

I clear my throat, suddenly self-conscious. ‘As a physician, I specialize in omega care,’ I explain.

Samantha’s eyes widen as she glances back at my file. ‘Oh, that’s right! I didn’t realize… well, how fortunate the omega you choose will be to have such expert care.’

I mumble a thank you, ignoring Troy’s snicker and muttered ‘omega expert’ comment.

‘So,’ Samantha continues, ‘would you like us to arrange a meeting with any of the omegas? Or all of them? Or we can wait, if none of them appeal to you.’

‘Ophelia,’ I blurt out before I can stop myself. I feel Troy and Mace staring at me and quickly add, ‘If you’re both in agreement, of course.’

Mace nods slowly. ‘Yeah, she’s definitely the one who piqued my curiosity. I’d like to meet her too.’ He turns to Troy. ‘What about you, kid?’

‘I’m not a damn kid,’ Troy mutters. ‘And I don’t know about this whole incomplete mating mark thing. Sounds like drama, and you know how Leon feels about—’ He breaks off, catching my warning glare. ‘Yeah, sure, whatever. Let’s meet the princess.’

Samantha beams at us. ‘Wonderful! I’ll arrange it and call to schedule something if Ophelia agrees to meet with you.’

As we leave the office, my mind is racing. I can’t stop thinking about Ophelia, about the pain she must have endured. An incomplete mark is no small thing.

‘You sure about this, doc?’ Troy’s voice breaks through my thoughts as we reach the car. ‘I mean, a broken mark… that’s some heavy shit. Thought this was supposed to be a trial thing.’

I whirl on him, suddenly defensive. ‘A broken mark is an alpha’s shame, not an omega’s,’ I snap. ‘It means she was betrayed and abandoned, or possibly forced into a mark she didn’t want. She’s the victim here, Troy.’

Troy holds up his hands, looking chastened. ‘Whoa, okay. I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I just… I worry about Leon, you know? He’s already resistant to the whole idea.’

I deflate, the fight leaving me as quickly as it came. ‘I know,’ I sigh. ‘You’re right, it is complicated. But… I don’t know. There’s just something about her. I want to at least meet her.’

As we climb into the car, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m already in too deep. I’ve never even met this omega, and yet I feel this overwhelming urge to protect her, to care for her.

‘What if she doesn’t like us?’ Mace’s question breaks the silence as we pull out of the parking lot. ‘All of us, I mean.’

I glance at him in the rearview mirror, surprised by the change in his usually gruff demeanor. ‘Then we keep looking,’ I say. ‘This is as much about replaceing the right fit for us as it is for her.’

Troy snorts from the passenger seat. ‘Please. We’re a catch. Who wouldn’t want us?’

I roll my eyes, but I’m grateful for his bravado. It helps ease some of the tension that’s been building since we left Temporary Bonds.

As we drive home, I can’t help but wonder what Ophelia is like in person. And then there’s the issue of her incomplete mark. I’ve treated omegas with similar conditions before, but never in a personal context. The thought of the suffering she must go through during her heats makes my chest ache.

‘Earth to Rhys,’ Troy’s voice cuts through my musings. ‘You gonna park the car, or should we just camp out in the driveway?’

I blink, realizing we’ve arrived home. ‘Sorry,’ I mutter, pulling into the garage.

As we pile out of the car, Mace clears his throat. ‘So, uh, when do you think we’ll hear back about meeting her?’

I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant even as my heart races at the thought. ‘Probably in a couple of days. These things take time.’

Troy stretches, his joints popping loudly. ‘Well, I don’t know about you two, but all this omega talk has me worked up. I’m hitting the gym.’

As he saunters off toward our home gym, Mace turns to me with a knowing look. ‘You okay? You seemed pretty invested back there.’

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. ‘I’m fine. It’s just… the thought of what she must have gone through. An incomplete mark is no joke, Mace.’

I’m not surprised Troy doesn’t understand fully. Most alphas don’t. Incomplete marks are rare enough that they didn’t even have a name for bond sickness until recently, or most of the complications that can arise from it.

He nods solemnly. ‘I get it. But we don’t even know if she’ll want to meet us. Try not to get too attached, yeah?’

I force a smile. ‘You’re right. I’m just overthinking, as usual.’

Mace chuckles, clapping me on the shoulder. ‘That’s why we love you, doc. Now come on, I’m starving. Let’s see what Maddox left in the fridge for us.’

As we head inside, I can’t help but check my phone. No missed calls or messages. I know it’s too soon to expect anything, but I can’t help the twinge of disappointment as I follow Mace to the kitchen.

‘You want a sandwich?’ Mace’s voice breaks through my reverie.

I nod absently, settling onto one of the barstools at the kitchen island. As Mace bustles around the kitchen, I replace myself staring at the empty nesting room down the hall.

We had it built when we first moved in, hopeful that we’d replace an omega to complete our pack. It’s remained unused all this time, a constant reminder of what we’re missing.

But now, for the first time in ages, I allow myself to imagine what it might be like filled with the scent of an omega.

One in particular.

I know it’s too soon to let my mind wander, but I picture her curled up in a nest of blankets, safe and content, surrounded by our pack.

The image is so vivid, so tantalizing, that it almost hurts.

‘Here,’ Mace grunts, sliding a plate in front of me. ‘Eat something before you waste away.’

I’m lean, but I’m not skinny. I’ve always found it easy enough to keep on muscle, and I work out when my schedule allows for it. But compared to a bulky alpha like Mace, I probably seem fragile. I manage a chuckle, picking up the sandwich. ‘Thanks.’

As I eat, I try to push thoughts of Ophelia aside. There’s no guarantee she’ll even agree to meet us, let alone consider joining our pack. And even if she does, there’s still Leon to consider. I know Troy might not be the only one with reservations.

What if Leon isn’t okay with bringing in an omega with such a complicated past?

But despite my best efforts, I can’t shake the feeling that something significant has been set in motion. That our lives are about to change in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.

All because of an omega we haven’t even met yet.

Just when I manage to distract myself for a few minutes, the phone rings and I jump for it faster than I’ve moved in a long time.

It’s them.