Page 96 of Knot So Damaged

Reality always seems to find a time to come crashing down on you.

I open the car door with more force than I needed to as I quickly take in the scene before me. It's a complete replica to every single other scene we were painstakingly analysing not even a week ago.

“Where is boss man?” Jaiden asks, coming to stand beside Conall and I.

“Our Omega just came out of heat. We couldn’t leave her alone so early on. Vic stayed behind to be with her,” Conall replies.

Jaiden's eyes widen, looking at us in shock, just as surprised as we were when he told us to go.

Never in all the years we have been a pack has Vic ever stayed behind. Its unexpected but about fucking time.

It has been hard for Vic to let go of situations and just let Conall and I handle it. He has control issues, especially when it comes to the Syndicate.

But, Valley’s influence is already changing him for the better.

That’s the benefits of a true scent match.

While Gwen was our scent match, Valley is different.

Maybe it's because she is our second, or maybe because she is something more. It feels that way at least.

Turning my attention back to the situation at hand, I listen carefully as Jaiden explains everything to us in detail. It’s nothing that we haven’t heard before though.

Omega found behind a dumpster. The word ‘mine’ carved into her torso. Bruises and signs of rape evident amongst the blood covering her flesh.

I sigh as Jaiden says he will send through the case file for us to add to the rest.

The car ride back to the house is bleak.

It's hard to feel that post heat happiness when this has very quickly dampened it.

I guess there is no rest for the wicked.

“Quicker, men! My daughter-in-law can level her enemies quicker than you lot even while pregnant. Fucking move! Harder, quicker, smarter!” I yell at the new lot of recruits.

Normally, Ledger is given the newest arrivals until they have been weeded out and ready for the next stage.

But today, I needed more.

After getting back from the latest Omega scene, we have spent hours going through surveillance, ‘interviewing’ potential suspects and doing our best to get into the head of the killer.

It's tolling.

We are all exhausted. Especially, Valley.

After Kennedy and Jax dropped Amity off after having her for the length of the heat, our girl has been run into the ground.

She refused to take time off to rest after her heat. She claimed that she had already rest enough, no matter how much we protested.

Late nights have become our new norm. Coffee has been our only saving grace at being able to keep us somewhat alert and functioning.

It doesn’t help sugarcoat the fact Valley already wants to return back to work. While it has been enough time since the end of her heat, the idea of her not being able to have us with her 24/7 is unthinkable.

Vic has already added more security measures to the club. More guards at doors, cameras covering every point of the club and a vetting process at the door.

It's over the top, but necessary.

Especially considering our heart will be there.