Chapter 19: Knot Happening Again: Chapter 19

I step into the Scent Bar, the familiar scents and sounds hitting me like a wall. The neon lights cast an eerie glow over everything, turning the world into a surreal dreamscape of pinks and purples. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s to come.

This is it.

My last night here.

My last paycheck.

At least for a while, depending on how tomorrow night’s meeting with the Carver pack goes.

The thought makes me both excited and terrified.

I’m really doing this.

Taking a chance on something new.

Something that could change my life forever.

I spot Natalie behind the bar, her red hair a beacon in the dim light. She sees me and waves, a bright smile lighting up her face. I make my way over to her, weaving through the crowd of alphas and betas who eye me hungrily. I’m used to their stares by now, but tonight they feel different. Like I’m seeing them from a distance, already removed from this world.

‘Ophelia!’ Natalie exclaims as I reach her. She pulls me into a tight hug, her familiar scent of vanilla and cinnamon wrapping around me like a warm blanket. ‘I didn’t expect to see you tonight. I thought you were off until Monday.’

I pull back, unable to keep the smile off my face. ‘I’m here to pick up my last check,’ I tell her. ‘I’m taking a leave of absence.’

Natalie’s eyes widen, her mouth dropping open in surprise. “Really?”

I nod. “Yeah. I just figured I should at least take some time off to figure things out. To see if they could be my new pack.”

My new pack.

The words feel strange on my tongue, like I’m speaking a foreign language. It still doesn’t feel real.

Natalie squeals, pulling me into another hug. ‘Oh my god, Ophelia! That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you!’

I laugh, her excitement infectious. ‘Thanks, Nat. I’m nervous as hell, but I’m trying to stay positive. I want to be able to say I’m willing to try if they want me. If they choose to accept me, despite my current job.’

Natalie pulls back, her hands on my shoulders as she looks me in the eye. ‘Ophelia, listen to me. Any pack would be lucky to have you. And if they can’t see past your job to the amazing person you are, then they don’t deserve you.’

Her words bring tears to my eyes, and I blink them back. ‘Thanks, Nat. That means a lot.’

She grins, giving my shoulders a squeeze. ‘I’m so proud of you, Ophelia. You’re taking a big step. Promise me you’ll tell me everything?’

I nod, laughing. ‘I promise. You’ll be the first to know how it goes.’

With one last hug, I head to the manager’s office to pick up my check. As I walk, I look around, taking in the sights and sounds of the Scent Bar.

It’s been my world for so long, but now it feels foreign.

I knock on the manager’s door and a gruff voice calls for me to enter. I step inside, the stark fluorescent lighting a harsh contrast to the dim bar outside. The manager, a grizzled beta named Frank, looks up from his paperwork.

‘Thompson,’ he grunts. ‘Here for your check?’

I nod, and he pulls an envelope from his desk drawer.

‘Here you go,’ he says, handing it to me. ‘You sure about this leave of absence? You’re one of our best.’

Coming from Frank, the compliment is unexpected. ‘I’m sure,’ I tell him. ‘I need to… explore some other options.’

He nods, unusual understanding in his eyes. ‘Well, you know where to find us if things don’t work out.’

I thank him and leave the office, tucking the envelope into my purse. As I make my way back through the bar, I see Hank, one of the bouncers. He’s a mountain of a man, all muscle and tattoos, but he’s always been kind to me.

‘Hey, Ophelia,’ he calls out as I pass. ‘Everything alright? We don’t usually see you on your nights off.’

I stop, giving him a small smile. ‘Everything’s fine. I’m just picking up my last check for a while. Taking some time off.’

Concern flashes across his face. ‘You’re not in any trouble, are you? That guy who showed up the other day giving you a hard time?’

His protectiveness warms my heart. ‘No trouble,’ I assure him. “Just exploring some new opportunities.’

Hank nods, relief evident in his expression. ‘Good. You deserve better than this place, Ophelia. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a job, but… you’re meant for more.’

His words hit me harder than I expected. I feel tears pricking at my eyes again, and I blink them back. ‘Thanks, Hank. That means a lot.’

He gives me a gruff nod, then turns back to scan the crowd. I take a deep breath, steadying myself.

It’s time to go.

Time to leave this chapter of my life behind and face whatever comes next.

I push open the door, stepping out into the cool night air. The sounds of the city wash over me. Car horns, distant sirens, the low hum of conversation from passersby. It feels like a different world out here, far removed from the artificial atmosphere of the Scent Bar.

I take a step forward, ready to head home and prepare for tomorrow’s dinner, when I freeze.

There, standing just a few feet away, is Leon.

My heart stops, then starts again at double speed.

He looks exactly the same as he did the last time I saw him—tall, broad-shouldered, his shock of bone-white hair a stark contrast to his tan skin.

Indignation boils up inside me.

How dare he come back here?

His light brown eyes lock onto mine.

‘Ophelia,’ he says, his voice low and urgent. ‘I was hoping I’d find you here.’

“I thought I made it clear what would happen last time if you did,” I grit out.

He takes a step forward. “Please, Effy. Just give me a chance. Come meet my pack.’

Effy.

The name he used to call me hits like a freight train to the gut. That’s low, even for him.

I try to shrug away, my body moving on autopilot. ‘No,’ I say, my voice shaking. ‘I want nothing to do with you.’

Leon steps closer, his eyes pleading. ‘Ophelia, please. You have to listen to me. You’re my scent match. Our scent match.’

The words hit me like a physical blow.

I stare at him, stunned into silence.

At first, I think he’s joking. Another cruel emotional blow aimed at me, for reasons beyond my comprehension.

But the look on his face makes it all too clear.

He’s serious.

‘That’s not possible,’ I finally manage to say. ‘If I was your scent match, you wouldn’t have left me half-marked.’

Leon grimaces, running a hand through his hair. ‘I was young and selfish and stupid,’ he says. ‘I hadn’t found my pack yet, not that it’s a fucking excuse. I’ve been trying to find you⁠—”

I feel anger bubbling up inside me, hot and fierce. “Stalking me, you mean?’ I snap.

“No. I mean… yes.” He sighs. “You’re my scent match, my pack’s scent match. Just meet them and⁠—”

‘Why?’ I demand. ‘So they can reject me too, just like you did?’

Leon’s face crumples, and for a moment, I see genuine pain in his eyes. ‘I’m not the same person I was back then,’ he says softly. ‘I was scared and self-centered. I saw you as something that would chain me to the life my parents wanted, so I ran. And I’ve regretted it every day since.’

“Chain you?” I cut him off, not wanting to hear any more. ‘I don’t care,’ I spit out. ‘I loved you once, more than anything. If you’d asked me to run away with you, I would have said to hell with our parents’ expectations. But you never gave me a chance then, so why should I give you one now?’

He doesn’t seem to have an argument for that.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. ‘I don’t care if I am your scent match. I don’t want anything to do with you. Or your pack.’

Leon reaches out, his hand brushing against my arm. ‘Ophelia, please⁠—’

The moment his skin touches mine, I feel a rush of heat flood my body. My knees go weak, and I stumble.

What the hell happening?

No.

I can’t be going into heat.

Not now.

Not here.

I see the realization dawn in Leon’s eyes, and panic sets in. I try to pull away, but my limbs feel like they’re made of lead.

I’m about to give him the slap he deserves so he gets his paws off me when Hank is suddenly there, his massive form stepping between me and Leon. ‘Is everything alright here?’ he asks, his voice low and threatening.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak as I rub my arm where Leon’s hand seared my skin.

‘I’m fine,’ I manage to say. ‘I have to go.’

With one last look at Leon, I turn and run. I hear Hank’s voice behind me, warning Leon not to follow, but I don’t stop.

Can’t stop.

I run until my lungs burn and my legs feel like jelly. I find myself in an alley, leaning against a brick wall as I try to catch my breath. The heat is building inside me, stronger and faster than I’ve ever experienced before.

What the fuck?

I’m back on the pills.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

It must be an effect of going off suppressants after such a long time.

Or seeing him again.

Admitting it makes me want to throw up, but there’s still a part of me that thinks it belongs to him.

And if I knew where it was, I’d carve it the fuck out.

Last time, with this promising new pack, my heat was manageable, but out here?

Alone?

Panic claws at my throat. What am I going to do? I can’t get home like this and risk taking public transit in heat. I definitely can’t go back to the Scent Bar.

I’m not safe anywhere.

With shaking hands, I pull out my phone. I stare at the screen for a long moment, my mind racing. Then, before I can talk myself out of it, I dial Rhys’s number, surprised when he picks up after the first ring.

‘Ophelia? Is everything okay?’

His voice, calm and steady despite the edge of nervousness in his tone, sends a wave of relief through me. ‘Rhys,’ I gasp out. ‘I… I’m going into heat, somehow. Even though I took suppressants… I don’t know what to do.’

There’s a pause, and when Rhys speaks again, his voice has changed.

It’s deeper, more authoritative.

Pure alpha.

‘Where are you?’

I hesitate, looking around. ‘I’m not sure,’ I admit. I wasn’t really paying attention. Just trying to get as far from Leon as possible. ‘I’m near the Scent Bar down on Fifth. I—’ I stop, realizing how suspicious that might sound.

But I can’t think clearly enough to come up with a lie.

Rhys doesn’t miss a beat. ‘Stay where you are,’ he says firmly. ‘I’m coming.’

As I end the call, I slide down the wall, hugging my knees to my chest. The heat is building, making it hard to think, hard to breathe. I close my eyes, trying to focus on anything other than the desperate need consuming me.

Rhys is coming.

He’ll know what to do.

The thought should be comforting, but it sends a fresh wave of panic through me. What if he rejects me when he finds out where I was?

What if he doesn’t want me anymore?

I push the thoughts away, forcing myself to take deep breaths. One problem at a time. Right now, I just need to survive this heat.

Everything else can wait.

As I sit there in the dark alley, my body burning from the inside out, I can’t help but wonder how I got here. How did my life become so complicated?

And more importantly…

How am I going to get out of this mess?

I don’t have the answers.

All I can do is wait and hope that Rhys gets here soon.

Because right now, he’s my only hope.