Page 12 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

But two can play her game.

Almost like I switch personalities, I straighten my shoulders, the shadow of death erasing itself from my features as I close my jacket, securing the button at the front.

I don’t care that the blood on my fingers smears across the white shirt as I do so. In that split second, I see her smile falter. Just as mine appears. The same smile that would have omegas weak in the knees. The same smile I used to wear before I realized how broken and fucked up everything was.

“Apologies, Ms. Heath.” My voice drops into that velvet-wrapped-steel tone that can make boardrooms fall silent. “Seeing my omega injured rattled me more than I’d care to admit.” I press a bloodstained hand to my chest in mock contrition. “You understand howprotectivewe alphas can be.”

Her manicured fingers tighten around her champagne flute. That faint scent of jasmine spikes—just for a second—with something acrid. Fear.

Jax’s grip on my arm tenses in warning, but I don’t need it. I’m already stepping back, already playing the chastened alpha. Let her think she’s won this round. Let the politicians whisper about Ren Ironwood’s emotional outburst.

“If you’ll excuse us.”

As Jax guides me toward the exit, my gaze drifts back across the room, hardly seeing the many guests. They all blend into one. All except one group.

Pack Ashgrave stands watching our retreat. Dressed in tuxedos like everyone else, their suits are tailored and pristine, but there’s something about them. Something many others in this room don’t know about, but I do. And they owe me a favor.

The scarred alpha raises his glass slightly in what might be a salute, his eyes calculating as they track our movement.

Not here, his look says.But we settle debts.

And in that moment, a terrible clarity settles over me. If I can’t do this the right way—if I can’t rely on the law or justice orany of the systems that are supposed to protect the vulnerable from bitches like Veyra Heath and make them pay—then I’ll do it the wrong way.

I’ll call in every favor, cross every line, become the monster I’ve always feared I truly am, if that’s what it takes to get Hailey back.

To keep Finn safe.

To protect what’s mine.

Because this world I’ve tried so hard to escape, this darkness I was born into—it will never really let me go. The only way out is through. And this time, I’m not running away.

This time, I’m burning it all to the ground.

Chapter 3

Jax

The night air hits me as we exit the gala, my hand still gripping Ren’s arm. Not to restrain him anymore. That moment’s passed. But becauseIneed the anchor. Need something solid while the world tilts beneath my feet.

Hailey. Taken.

Finn. Bleeding.

And everything we’ve built is threatening to crumble.

All the networking tonight doesn’t mean shit if we don’t have our omegas. It all meansnothingwithout them.

I scan the dark driveway, looking for any sign of Stone. Our SUV sits waiting at the curb, engine running, Stone behind the wheel. My heart leaps for one desperate second—maybe he found her, maybe she’s inside—but when we open the door, the vehicle is empty.

No Hailey.

My heart plummets. I stand frozen, staring at the vacant leather seats as if my gaze might conjure her there.

“Stone?” My voice comes out like gravel.

He doesn’t answer. Just grips the steering wheel tighter, jaw ticking with barely suppressed rage. The silence is answer enough.

They have her. Stone didn’t find her.

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