Chapter 16: Knot Happening Again: Chapter 16

I rub my tired eyes at the nurse’s station as I review a patient’s chart. The fluorescent lights of the hospital cast a harsh glow over everything, making the world feel sterile and unreal. It’s hour eighteen of my twenty-four-hour shift, a marathon I volunteered for despite my usual attempts to balance my personal and professional life.

The truth is, I needed the distraction.

With Leon still away and Ophelia’s silence weighing on my mind, I’d rather lose myself in work than sit at home, stewing in my thoughts.

‘Dr. Carver?’ A voice pulls me from my musings. I look up to see Dr. Pavel, one of our newer residents, approaching with a worried expression.

‘What can I do for you, Dr. Pavel?’ I ask, setting down the chart.

She wrings her hands, a nervous habit I’ve noticed before. ‘I was hoping to get your advice on a patient. An omega who went into heat unexpectedly. She’s having a really difficult time, even though she’s on those new organic suppressants.’

I frown, a familiar frustration bubbling up. ‘That’s the fourth case this week,’ I mutter, shaking my head. ‘They should take that crap off the market.’

Dr. Pavel nods in agreement. ‘I’ve heard similar complaints from other patients. But what should we do for this omega? Her symptoms are… quite severe.’

I take a deep breath, thinking back to the other things we’ve tried in cases like these. ‘Start her on a course of traditional suppressants immediately. We need to counteract whatever those ‘organic’ ones have done to her system. Monitor her vitals closely. Oh, and set up a nesting room. That helped with the last one.’

Dr. Pavel nods, scribbling notes on her tablet. ‘Thank you.’

As she hurries away, I lean against the counter, my mind drifting to the omega clinics that have been popping up across the city. Places where unmated omegas can ride out their heats in safety, with or without the assistance of alphas and betas that work there.

Part of me understands the necessity. Omega biology is complex, often cruel in its demands. Without a mate or a pack, heats can be excruciating, even dangerous. These clinics offer a controlled environment, a buffer against the harsh realities of an unmated omega’s life.

But another part of me recoils at the thought. It feels… clinical. Sterile. A poor substitute for the warmth and intimacy of a true pack bond. The nesting materials are disposable, and the ones that aren’t are wrapped in plastic.

But I suppose it’s not that much more clinical than the arrangements Temporary Bonds makes.

Ophelia’s face flashes in my mind.

An omega, alone and hurting.

My chest tightens.

Would she ever consider one of these clinics if she decides not to spend her next heat under our care?

The thought of her in a stark, impersonal room, surrounded by strangers and nesting materials fit for a hospital instead of a heat during her most vulnerable moments, makes my alpha instincts howl in protest.

‘Fuck,’ I mutter, pushing away from the counter. I need to move, to do something other than dwell on things I can’t change.

I make my rounds, checking on patients, updating charts. But my mind keeps circling back to the issue.

As I enter the room of my next patient, an elderly beta with pneumonia, I force myself to focus. Mrs. Hernandez smiles weakly as I approach her bed.

‘How are we feeling today, Mrs. Hernandez?’ I ask, picking up her chart.

She coughs, a wet, rattling sound that makes me wince. ‘Been better, doc. But I’m tougher than I look.’

I check her vitals, listen to her lungs. As I work, I can’t help but notice the photo on her nightstand. Mrs. Hernandez surrounded by a large, loving family. Alphas, betas, omegas, all together, all smiling.

‘Beautiful family,’ I comment, gesturing to the pictures.

Mrs. Hernandez’s eyes light up. ‘My pride and joy. We’ve been through thick and thin, that bunch. I made them go home to get some sleep or they’d be here now. Wouldn’t trade them for the world.’

I nod, a lump forming in my throat. That’s what it should be like. Family, support, love. Not sterile rooms and clinical assistance.

But as I finish my examination and head back into the hallway, reality crashes back in. Not everyone has a family like that. Not every omega finds their pack, their mate. And until they do, places like those clinics might be their only refuge.

A nurse calls my name, pulling me from my thoughts.

Another patient, another problem to solve.

With a sigh, I gather my things to resume my rounds. As I do, my phone catches my eye. I can’t help but check it, hoping for a message from Leon. Instead, I see a text from Mace.

I feel a knot form in my stomach. I’ve been asking myself the same question, but seeing it from Mace makes it feel more real, more urgent. I type out a response.

I hit send, but the words feel hollow.

It’s not like Leon to stay away after a match, especially not for this long. A nagging voice in the back of my mind suggests that this has more to do with us finding an omega than any family issues.

I’ve always known Leon was hesitant about bringing an omega into our pack. But I thought… I hoped that once he met Ophelia, once he saw how special she is, he’d change his mind.

How could he not?

She’s our scent match, for crying out loud.

She’s perfect for us in every way.

But Leon hasn’t even given her a chance. He hasn’t even met her. And now, with his prolonged absence, I’m starting to fear that he never will.

I haven’t even gotten the chance to tell him about her broken mark.

My phone buzzes again with another message from Mace.

I feel a pang of guilt as I type out my response.

Mace’s reply comes quickly.

He’s right, of course. We can’t keep Ophelia in limbo forever. She deserves to know where she stands with us, to meet the whole pack and make an informed decision. But the thought of pushing her too far too soon makes my stomach churn.

I pocket my phone, feeling the weight of responsibility settle heavily on my shoulders. As the de facto leader of our pack in Leon’s absence, it falls to me to keep us united.

But right now…

I feel like we’ve never been further apart.

Leon is off doing God knows what, avoiding the very idea of Ophelia. Troy is less guarded than before, but I’m sure his old insecurities will manifest eventually. Mace is eager but cautious, not wanting to push too hard any more than I do. And Maddox, bless him, is trying to be the voice of reason, but even he seems at a loss.

And then there’s Ophelia.

Beautiful, guarded Ophelia.

The missing piece of our pack, the omega we’ve been waiting for without even knowing it. She’s been hurt so deeply, betrayed by an alpha who should have protected her. The thought of causing her any more pain makes my chest ache.

I lean against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment. The hospital bustles around me, a constant hum of activity that usually energizes me.

But right now, it just feels overwhelming.

I need my pack to be united now more than ever. We need to present a strong, stable front for Ophelia. To show her that we can be the family she deserves, the support system she needs. But how can we do that when we’re all pulling in different directions?

With another sigh, I push off the wall. I have patients to see, lives to save. I can’t afford to get lost in my personal problems right now. But as I walk down the sterile hallway, my mind keeps circling back to the same questions.

How do I bring my pack together?

How do I convince Leon to give Ophelia a chance?

And most importantly, how do I protect Ophelia’s heart while we figure all this out?

I don’t have the answers.

But I know I need to find them, and soon. Because the longer we wait, the more likely it is that we’ll lose Ophelia forever.

And that’s a thought I can’t bear to entertain.

As I approach my next patient’s room, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. But in the back of my mind, a plan starts to form. Maybe it’s time to take a more proactive approach. Maybe it’s time to bring everyone together, whether they’re ready or not.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as a doctor, it’s that sometimes you have to lance the wound to let it heal. And right now, our pack is wounded. It’s time to start the healing process, no matter how painful it might be.

With renewed strength, I push open the door to my patient’s room. I’ll finish my shift, get some rest, and then…

Then, I’ll start putting things right.

The rest of my shift passes in a blur of patient consultations, deliveries, and paperwork. By the time I clock out, the sun is rising, casting a warm glow over the city. I’m exhausted, my body running on caffeine and sheer willpower.

As I drive home, I can’t help but think about Ophelia again.

Is she awake now, getting ready for work?

Or is she still asleep, curled up in her bed?

Does she think about us as much as we think about her?

Does she miss us even a fraction of how much we miss her?

The thought of her alone in her apartment, dealing with the aftermath of her heat and the weight of her past, makes my heart ache. I want nothing more than to wrap her in my arms, to surround her with the love and protection of our pack.

But I know it’s not that simple.

We can’t rush this, can’t force her into anything she’s not ready for.

I pull into our driveway, the familiar sight of our pack house both comforting and bittersweet. It feels emptier without Leon, and now, knowing what we’re missing without Ophelia, it feels incomplete in a way it never has before.

As I step inside, the scent of coffee greets me. Mace is already up, lumbering around the kitchen. His broad frame is a comforting presence, solid and dependable.

‘Morning, Doc,’ he rumbles, sliding a mug of coffee across the counter to me. ‘How was the double shift?’

I take the mug gratefully, inhaling the rich aroma. ‘Long,’ I admit, taking a sip. ‘But productive. How are things here?’

Mace shrugs, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. ‘Same as yesterday. Troy’s holed up in his studio, Maddox is already at the office, and Leon’s still MIA.’

I nod, feeling the weight of our pack’s discord settle on my shoulders once again. ‘I’ve been thinking,’ I say slowly, cradling the warm mug in my hands. ‘Maybe it’s time we took matters into our own hands.’

Mace raises an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. ‘What do you mean?’

I take a deep breath, organizing my thoughts. ‘We can’t keep waiting for Leon to come around, or for Ophelia to make the first move. We need to be proactive. I think… I think we should invite Ophelia over. For dinner, maybe. Give her a chance to meet everyone, to see what we could be as a pack.’

Mace is quiet for a moment, considering. ‘You think she’d go for that this soon?’ he asks finally. ‘She seemed pretty skittish about commitment.’

‘I don’t know,’ I admit. ‘But I think we owe it to her—and to ourselves—to try. We can make it clear that there’s no pressure, no expectations. Just a chance to get to know each other better.’

Mace nods slowly, a smile spreading across his face. ‘I like it,’ he says. ‘It’s a good idea. But what about Leon?’

I feel a flicker of guilt at the thought of moving forward without our other pack leader, but I push it aside. ‘We’ll give him a chance to be here,’ I say firmly. ‘But if he chooses not to come… well, that’s on him. We can’t put our lives on hold indefinitely.’

Mace’s expression grows serious. ‘You know this could change everything, right? If Leon feels like we’re moving forward without him…’

I nod, understanding the gravity of what I’m proposing. ‘I know. But I think it’s a risk we have to take. For Ophelia’s sake, and for our own. Besides, I know him. Sometimes he just needs a little push.’

Mace nods. “Alright. I’m with you. What’s the plan?”

Relief washes over me at his support. With Mace on board, I feel more confident in my decision. ‘First things first,’ I say, pulling out my phone. ‘I need to call Ophelia.’

My finger hovers over her contact information, a mix of excitement and nervousness churning in my stomach. This call could change everything. It could be the first step toward completing our pack, toward giving Ophelia the family she deserves.

Or it could push her away for good.

But as I think about her—her smile, her laugh, the way she fits so perfectly in our arms—I know it’s worth the risk.

We can’t let fear hold us back.

Not when there’s so much to gain.

With a deep breath, I press the call button. The phone rings once, twice, three times. Each second feels like an eternity. Just as I’m about to give up, to resign myself to leaving a voicemail, there’s a click.

‘Hello?’ Ophelia’s voice comes through, soft and slightly groggy. The sound of it sends a thrill through me, awakening every protective instinct I possess.

‘Ophelia,’ I say, trying to keep my voice steady. ‘It’s Rhys. I hope I didn’t wake you.’

There’s a pause, and I can almost see her sitting up in bed, running a hand through her tousled hair. ‘No, it’s fine,’ she says. ‘I was just getting up anyway. Is everything okay?’

The concern in her voice makes my heart swell. Even after everything she’s been through, she still cares. It only reinforces my belief that she’s meant to be part of our pack.

‘Everything’s fine,’ I assure her quickly. ‘I just… we’ve been thinking about you. A lot, actually. And we were wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner sometime this week. To meet the rest of the pack, no pressure or expectations. Just a chance to get to know each other better.’

The silence that follows my invitation feels endless. I hold my breath, waiting for her response. Beside me, Mace leans in, his expression a mix of hope and anxiety I’m not used to seeing on him. He’s always the rock of our pack, keeping it together when everyone else is falling apart.

Finally, Ophelia speaks. ‘I don’t know, Rhys,’ she says, her voice hesitant. ‘It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just…’

‘I understand,’ I say quickly, not wanting her to feel pressured. ‘It’s a big step. But I promise, there’s no ulterior motive here. We just want to spend time with you, to show you what our pack could be like. If you decide it’s not for you, we’ll respect that. No questions asked.’

I can hear her breathing on the other end of the line, can almost feel the conflict radiating through the phone. When she speaks again, her voice is small, vulnerable in a way that makes my chest ache.

‘What if… what if I’m not what the others expecting?’ she asks. ‘What if I disappoint you?’

The raw honesty in her question nearly breaks me. I want nothing more than to pull her into my arms, to show her how impossibly perfect she is. Instead, I pour every ounce of sincerity I possess into my words.

‘Ophelia,’ I say softly, ‘you could never disappoint us. You’re already more than we ever dared to hope for. We just want a chance to show you that.’

There’s another pause, but this one feels different. Charged with possibility. When Ophelia speaks again, there’s a hint of a smile in her voice.

‘Okay,’ she says. ‘Okay, I’ll come. When?’

Relief and joy flood through me, so intense I feel lightheaded. ‘This Friday, if that works for you.’ It’s not a lot of time to get my pack on the same page, but I’m afraid any longer will give her time to get into her head and back out.

‘Yeah… okay. Friday.’

We work out the details, and by the time we hang up, I feel like I’m floating. Mace is grinning from ear to ear, his excitement palpable.

‘She said yes,’ I say after I hang up, still hardly believing it myself.

Mace breathes an audible sigh. ‘I knew she would,’ he says. ‘She belongs with us. She’ll see that soon enough.’

‘Yeah. You’re right.’

But the relief doesn’t last long until reality starts to creep back in. We still have a lot of work to do. We need to prepare the pack, to make sure everyone is on board.

But for now, I let myself bask in this moment of hope. We’ve taken the first step. Ophelia is giving us a chance. And I’m determined to make the most of it.

As I head upstairs to get some much-needed sleep, my mind is already racing with plans.

We’ll make this dinner perfect.

We’ll show Ophelia exactly what she means to us, what she could have as part of our pack.

For the first time in weeks, I fall asleep with a smile on my face, dreaming of a future where Ophelia is by our side, where our pack is whole and happy. It’s a beautiful dream.

And I’m more determined than ever to make it a reality.