Page 56 of Knot Your Romeo

I pause at the door, one hand on the handle. For a moment, I let myself look at him—really look. He's beautiful and tortured and everything my Omega heart wants to heal. But I've learned that you can't save someone who’s not ready to be saved.

"Goodbye, Elias," I say softly. "When you're ready to stop living in the past, when you're ready to be the Alpha someone deserves instead of the broken man Kate left behind—maybe then you'll understand what you lost."

I push through the door before he can respond, the bell's cheerful chime a bitter contrast to the pain I'm leaving behind. I don't look back though, despite every instinct screaming at me to turn around, to throw myself into his arms and pretend that love is enough to overcome fear. But love isn't enough when it's one-sided. Not when one person is willing to risk everything while the other clings to their safe, lonely existence.

The afternoon sun is warm on my face as I walk down Main Street, but I feel cold inside. Empty. Like I've just closed the door on the last chance at happiness I might ever have.

My phone buzzes with a text as I reach the bus stop.

Jude: How are you holding up? Want to grab dinner tonight?

I stare at the message, remembering the peace I felt in his apartment, the way he held me without asking for anything in return. Jude understands what it's like to be an Omega in a world that doesn't see past biology. He understands the exhaustion of always having to prove your worth.

Me: Yes. I need friendly company.

Jude: My place at 7? I'll cook.

Me: Perfect. Thank you.

I slip the phone back into my pocket and board the bus that will take me back to the estate.

But as the bookstore disappears behind us, I glimpse Elias standing in the window, watching me leave. His face is sad, possibly heartbroken, desperate, but I force myself to look away.

Some bridges, once burned, can't be rebuilt. Some trust, once broken, can't be repaired with pretty words and regret.

Elias Silver had his chance to choose me, to choose us. He chose fear instead.

And I refuse to spend my life waiting for someone to become brave enough to love me the way I deserve.

21

Emmie

The bus rumbles toa stop just outside of Silvercrest Manor, and the entire journey I’ve wondered about what comes next. I don’t know what that looks like yet, but I know one thing for certain… I won’t settle for scraps of affection ever again. I won’t beg anyone to see my worth. I deserve an Alpha who will choose me without hesitation, who will fight for me instead of pushing me away. I deserve someone who sees forever when they look at me, not just the ghost of someone who left them behind.

Romeo Silver isn’t that Alpha. He’s a walking contradiction. Rejected me so brutally, but still wanted me in secret. I don’t care if he turns out to be my full scent match when I’m eventually brave enough for the world to know who I really am.

I won’t choose Romeo Silver ever—he blew it.

With Elias Silver, I found a man I thought was definitely my Alpha. But it’s time I stopped pretending he could be.

And then there is Beck Silver. I admit he’s different. I actually believe him now. But somehow, I feel Beck gives up an awful lot for everyone else and I doubt he will pursue me once he knows who I really am and the danger that brings.

I turn the corner. The estate gates come into view, and I steel myself for whatever awaits me, knowing that Mom will probably have a hundred questions about where I’ve been. After what she did to save me, I can’t tell her my life feels like it’s falling apart again. But I’ll survive this. I’ve survived worse. And maybe, just maybe, one day I’ll find an Alpha who isn’t afraid to love me back.

The cottage feels smaller than usual when I slip inside, the familiar scents of home doing little to comfort my aching heart. Mom is in the kitchen preparing dinner with such care and attention, but it means she’s thinking about something else entirely.

“How was your day, sweetheart?” she asks without looking up from the carrots she’s dicing. I have a suspicion she already knows.

“Fine,” I lie, settling at the small table with the book I always start, but I’ve never finished reading. “Quiet.”

“Good. Quiet is good.” She pauses in her chopping, finally looking at me with those sharp eyes that miss nothing. “You’ve been spending a lot of time away from the estate lately.” It’s not quite a question, but it carries the weight of one. I shrug, pretending to read.

“I like the bookstore in town. It’s peaceful.”

“Peaceful is important,” she agrees, but there’s something in her tone that suggests this conversation isn’t over.

“Romeo asked about you this morning. He wanted to know if you’re sick, since you haven’t been riding to school with him.”

---