Page 104 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

The thought sends a chill through the room. On the television, footage plays of police raiding what appears to be Caldwell’s estate, leading away staff members in handcuffs.

Stone leans forward. “Was he keeping the omegas at his house?”

The scene switches to another location with the newscaster explaining that assets are being seized.

“Fucking hell,” Stone breathes as blurred images of five omegas being taken away in ambulances is shown on screen.

“Looks like he had them on some underground compound up in the mountains. One of his betas blabbed in exchange for a better sentence.” Finn sits up straighter.

“Fucker,” Ren breathes.

His anger is felt through the bond, echoing my own. That’s where he would have taken Hailey. Where he would have hidden her away from us.

Hailey stirs at the tension in Ren’s voice, her brow furrowing slightly before smoothing out again as Stone immediately relaxes his hold, murmuring something too low for the rest of us to hear.

The protective surge that rises in me at the sight nearly takes my breath away. My omega.Ouromega. Safe in our pack, where she belongs.

My gaze shifts to Finn, my heart warming even more. “Finn…about the house…if you want to move…if you and Hailey want somewhere nicer, bigger nest—” I stop when I realize he’s already shaking his head. “You don’t want to move?”

“I like our home. Hailey does, too.”

I study him some more before nodding. “Well, then, maybe…I was thinking we should take some time off, from work, from everything. Spend some time with you and Hailey…”

Finn studies me for a long moment, searching for sincerity. Whatever he sees must satisfy him, because he nods slowly. “I’d like that.”

“Good. Because it’s not a request.” I look around at each of them, making sure they understand what I’m saying. “It’s a promise. A pack promise.”

Stone nods his agreement, his expression solemn. Ren hesitates only briefly before adding his own nod.

“Speaking of pack decisions,” Stone says after a moment, “we should discuss what happens next. Heath and Caldwell might be exposed, but that doesn’t mean they’re not still dangers.”

“Caldwell’s under investigation,” Finn points out, gesturing to the television where footage now shows police raiding other locations. “He’ll be hiding for a long time.”

“Heath’s the wild card,” I say. “If she survived Finn’s shots…”

“She’ll be looking for revenge,” Ren finishes, his expression darkening. “She doesn’t strike me as the type to go quietly into the night.”

“But the Ashgraves are looking for her.” The hope in Finn’s voice is almost calming.

“That’s not enough,” Ren argues, leaning forward. “We need to be proactive. Find her first.”

“And do what?” Stone asks, his tone neutral. “Kill her?”

“Yes.” Ren and Finn speak at once.

Ren’s jaw tightens. “If that’s what it takes to keep our pack safe, yes.”

“There are other ways,” I interject quietly. “The evidence—it’s enough to put her away for decades. If she’s alive, she’s running scared.”

“Scared people are dangerous,” Ren counters.

“So are cornered ones,” I remind him. “We need to be smart about this, Ren. Not reckless.”

He looks like he wants to argue further, but his gaze falls on Hailey, still peacefully asleep in Stone’s arms. Something in his expression softens. “Fine. But I want enhanced security at the house when we return. And I want Finn and Hailey guarded at all times.”

“Agreed,” I say, relieved he’s not pushing for immediate aggressive action. “We’ll work with the Ashgraves to set up a comprehensive security plan.”

I exhale, rubbing my jaw. “But, um…there’s something I need to say.” The weight of it settles between my ribs like a stone. It worsens when all their attention focuses on me. I decide to push through it. “I haven’t been the leader this pack deserves.”

---