Knot Happening Again (Claimverse Book 2)

I step out of the house, my heart racing as I fumble with my car keys. The cool night air does nothing to calm the fire of protective instinct burning through my veins.

Ophelia called me.

She needs me.

Nothing else matters right now.

‘Rhys! Where are you going?’ Troy’s voice cuts through my laser focus. I turn to see him jogging down the driveway, concern etched on his face.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to slow down for a moment. ‘It’s Ophelia,’ I explain quickly. ‘She called. She’s in heat, alone, downtown near some place called the Scent Bar. I need to go get her.’

Troy’s eyes widen and he immediately starts toward his car. ‘I’m coming with you.’

‘No,’ I say firmly, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. ‘I need you here. Prepare the nest, call the others, get everything ready. She’ll need all of us when we get back.’

Troy hesitates, clearly torn between wanting to help and go to our omega now and understanding the importance of what I’m asking. ‘What about Leon?’ he asks.

I clench my jaw, still angry and hurt. ‘Tell him our omega is in heat and she’s coming to nest,’ I mutter, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. ‘He’ll come if he wants.’

Without waiting for a response, I climb into my car and peel out of the driveway. As I speed toward downtown, my mind races.

Why is Ophelia near the Scent Bar? From what I saw online, it’s some kind of dive bar. And judging from the name and the images in the reviews, it’s the kind of place where they’re selling more than just drinks.

I’ve driven past it countless times on my way to the hospital without thinking anything of it, and it’s not exactly in the safest part of town. Worry gnaws at my insides as I imagine all the things that could have happened to her.

I scan the streets as I drive, looking for any sign of Ophelia. At one point, I think I see a flash of white hair that reminds me of Leon, but I shake my head.

I must be imagining things.

He made his choice.

Finally, after what feels like hours but is probably only minutes, I spot a figure huddled in an alley. My heart leaps into my throat as I recognize Ophelia’s raven hair. I park haphazardly on the side of the road and run to her.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

‘Ophelia,’ I breathe, gathering her into my arms. Her skin is burning hot, and I can smell the sweet scent of her heat. It takes every ounce of self-control not to bury my face in her neck and inhale deeply. ‘Are you alright? Are you hurt?’

She shakes her head weakly, looking up at me with those piercing blue eyes. ‘You came,’ she says, her voice filled with relief. And surprise.

My heart clenches. ‘Of course I came,’ I say softly, stroking her hair. ‘You called.’

I help her to her feet, supporting her as we make our way to my car. ‘I need to get you out of here,’ I say urgently, glancing around at the dark streets. This is no place for an omega in heat.

As I settle her into the passenger seat, I can’t help but ask again, ‘What happened? Are you sure you’re not hurt?’

Ophelia shakes her head, her eyes glazed with the fever of her heat. ‘No, I just… I went into heat.’

I frown, still not understanding. ‘Why were you out here?’

She falls silent, unable to meet my eyes. I can see the internal struggle playing out on her face, and it breaks my heart. ‘You can tell me, whatever it is,’ I say gently, wanting desperately to ease her fears.

Tears slip down her cheeks as she looks up at me. ‘I need to tell you the truth,’ she says, her voice barely above a whisper. ‘But you’re not going to want me. None of you will.’

I cup her cheek, wiping away a tear with my thumb. ‘That’s not true,’ I say firmly. ‘Whatever it is, it won’t change how we feel about you.’

I start the car, pulling away from the curb. As much as I want to know what’s troubling her, and already have my suspicions, I know now isn’t the time. ‘We don’t have to talk about it now,’ I tell her. ‘Let’s get you into the nest, safe and comfortable. Then we can discuss everything.’

Ophelia nods, too exhausted to argue. She slips out of her jacket, the cool air of the car clearly a relief against her overheated skin. As I drive, I keep glancing over at her, watching as she drifts into a fitful sleep.

When we finally pull up to the mansion, I’m relieved to see Mace and Maddox’s cars in the driveway. But the absence of Leon’s car sends a fresh wave of anger and disappointment through me. I push those feelings aside, focusing on the omega who needs me right now.

I lift Ophelia into my arms, her slight frame fitting perfectly right against my chest. As I carry her toward the house, Mace and Troy rush out to meet us.

‘Hey, little one,’ Mace says softly, his usually gruff voice gentle with concern. ‘How ya feelin’?’

Ophelia stirs slightly in my arms. ‘I’ve felt better,’ she murmurs, before leaning in closer to Mace and sniffing the air. ‘You smell like cookies.’

Mace chuckles, his large hand reaching out to stroke her cheek. ‘You smell damn good yourself.’

Ophelia leans into his touch, clearly craving the contact. The sight makes my heart swell.

‘The nest is ready,’ Troy says, his eyes never leaving Ophelia’s face. ‘And Maddox drew a cool bath.’

I nod gratefully, carrying Ophelia inside and up to the nesting room. As we enter, I see Maddox waiting for us.

The moment his eyes land on Ophelia, I see the same look of awe and instant connection that I felt when I first met her. It’s both gratifying and a little bittersweet to see how quickly she’s captured all our hearts knowing Leon, my bond mate, is going to be the last one to meet her.

If he gets his shit together.

‘You must be Ophelia,’ Maddox says warmly. He looks cool and collected on the surface, but I know him well enough to see the telltale signs of excitement. He’s practically bursting at the seams, and his hands twitch at his sides, like he’s having to fight not tor each out and snatch her from my arms.

Ophelia waves tiredly, barely able to lift her hand. ‘Hi. I don’t usually look like shit,’ she mumbles.

Maddox laughs softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement and concern. ‘Trust me, you don’t.’

He turns to me, worry evident in his expression. ‘Is she okay?’

I nod, explaining quickly, ‘She was on suppressants for a long time, and the bond sickness makes her heats affect her irregularly. The bath will help.’

Maddox nods, gesturing toward the en-suite bathroom. ‘The bath is ready. I put in some oils that are supposed to help. At least, according to the Internet,’ he says, rubbing the back of his head. This is kind of a crash course for my packmates who aren’t used to caring for an omega. ‘Is there anything else you need?’

‘Yes, actually,’ I say, grateful for his offer. ‘There’s a bottle of pills in my medical bag in my office. Could you bring them, please?’

Maddox nods and rushes off. I carry Ophelia into the bathroom, setting her down gently on the edge of the tub. As I help her undress, she murmurs, ‘Maddox is nice. He smells like… s’mores.’

I can’t help but laugh softly. ‘He does smell a little like s’mores,’ I agree, carefully helping her into the cool water.

Ophelia sighs as she sinks into the bathtub, some of the tension leaving her body. But then she looks up at me, her eyes dark with need. ‘Why do you all smell so good?’ she asks, leaning in close. I feel her tongue dart out, licking a stripe up my neck. ‘You smell like a honeycomb.’

I smile, gently pushing her back into the water. As much as I want to give in to her desires—and mine—I know she’s not in her right mind. ‘We can discuss it when you’re a little more clearheaded,’ I tell her.

She whimpers at the loss of contact, but before I can comfort her, Maddox returns with the pills. He’s covering his eyes with one hand, clearly trying to be respectful.

Ophelia notices and giggles. ‘He can look if he comes in,’ she says, her voice low and sultry. ‘As long as I can lick him, too.’

Maddox makes a strangled sound, and I can smell his arousal spike. ‘Is this how alphas feel around omegas all the time?’ he asks me, his voice strained. ‘Because her scent is… hard to resist.’

I give him a knowing look. ‘Certain omegas,’ I say cryptically, taking one of the pills and the bottle of water he offers.

Turning back to Ophelia, I hold out the pill. ‘Take this,’ I say gently. ‘It’s the same thing I gave you last time.’

She whines, shaking her head. ‘I don’t want that,’ she says petulantly. ‘I want your knot. All the knots. And his not-knot,’ she says, pointing to Maddox, who turns as red as the roses in the vase on the counter.

Her words send a jolt of desire through me, but I remain firm. This isn’t her talking, it’s the heat. And if it’s strong enough to power through the suppressants she was taking, it’s going to be a rough one. ‘We’ll give you everything you need, beautiful,’ I promise. ‘But first, you need to take this.’

‘Make me,’ she murmurs, a glimmer of challenge and mischief in her eyes as she leans back.

I can’t help but chuckle. She’s not going to make this easy. I put the pill under my tongue and lean in, capturing her lips in a deep kiss. As our tongues meet and tangle, I gently push the pill into her mouth. When I pull back, I tell her to drink.

She obeys, swallowing the water and the pill. ‘Good girl,’ I say, and I see a shiver run through her at the praise.

As the pill starts to take effect, I can see Ophelia’s eyes becoming a little clearer. ‘Just relax,’ I tell her. ‘Let the cool water do its work.’

I move over to the door where Maddox is waiting, wanting to discuss the situation out of Ophelia’s earshot. ‘The pill should kick in fully in about ten minutes,’ I explain quietly. ‘Then she’ll be able to think a little more clearly.’

Maddox nods, but I can see the concern still etched on his face. ‘We still haven’t heard from Leon,’ he says hesitantly.

I clench my jaw, anger flaring up again. ‘Forget him,’ I say tersely. ‘He’ll show up or not.’

Maddox looks like he wants to say more, but thinks better of it. Instead, he glances back at Ophelia, then at me. ‘In the meantime,’ he says, a hint of a smile on his lips, ‘I should probably go take a cold shower.’

I chuckle, patting him on the shoulder. ‘Probably a good idea,’ I agree.

As Maddox leaves, I turn back to Ophelia. She’s resting in the tub, her eyes closed, looking more peaceful than when I found her. The sight of her, vulnerable and trusting in our care, makes my heart swell.

But the thought of her out there on her own like this, and what might have happened if some alpha who was willing to take advantage found her instead of me…

I’ve never had anger issues. But fuck, I could put a hole in the wall just from the thought of it.

Her words from earlier on the ride home sober me, though.

Whatever secret she’s carrying, whatever truth she’s afraid to tell us, I know it won’t change how I feel about her. How any of us feel about her.

Nothing could.

She’s ours.

Our missing piece.

And we’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe and happy.

I settle on the edge of the tub, content to watch over her as the medicine takes effect. We have a long night ahead of us, but for now, I’m just grateful she’s here, safe in our nest.