Page 54 of Knot the Last Chapter

“You were overwhelmed.” He nods. “Anyone would be.”

“I shouldn’t have gone out in that storm.”

“Probably not,” he agrees, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “But you’re here. That’s what matters.”

The scent of warm cinnamon bread and something savory teases my nose. My stomach rumbles.

Rhys rises and heads for the door. “I’ll let the others know you’re up. They’ll want to see you.”

I sit up, wincing slightly. “Can you... give me a bit?”

He pauses.

“I just need to eat and shower. Just sit in my room a bit. Process. Then I’ll come out.”

He studies me, eyes steady. Then he nods, and escorts me, and the tray of food, to my room. He makes sure I’m walking fine, Misty a silent shadow behind me. Once I’m sagged against the pillows, he gently placed the tray onto my lap. Warm eggs, fresh bread, strong tea. Comfort in edible form.

“Eat up and get your strength back. We’ll wait for you.”

I can tell he hasn’t slept all night, watching over me.

“Thank you,” I whisper. “For coming for me. For taking care of me.”

“That was Tyler,” he says, “though Corwyn and I weren’t fire behind.”

I nod, and he leaves me alone, though I can tell he wants to stay. But, right now, this room is a girl zone only, Misty curling against me on the bed, looking slightly annoyed that I made her move in the first place.

Tyler found me. Tyler is Pine.

I’m surprised that I’m not mad. Not really. Not even when I picture the face of the alpha who had teased me when I was young—who'd accidentally driven me away from writing. Not even when I remember how those messages from Pine had kept me sane.

Because they were the same person.

Tyler.

I should be furious. But I’m not. Instead, I feel something else entirely.

Relief.

And maybe, just maybe—

A little bit of hope. And that... I really don’t know what to do with.

“This omega biology is more trouble than it’s worth, you know that, Misty?” The cat stretches expansively and falls asleep as I eat my breakfast before the eggs get cold, and try to focuson something else than imagining the alphas watching over me after saving me, before I get too hot.

Chapter thirty

Lila

Ifinish the last of the tea and swing my legs over the side of the bed. My arm aches, but less now. More sore than broken. The thick socks someone dressed me in are warm and soft, and Misty purrs at my feet like a silent sentry.

I’m about to stand when a knock sounds against the door. Gentle. Polite.

“Yeah?”

“It’s Corwyn.”

I pause, heart skipping for reasons that have nothing to do with injury.