Knot Happening Again (Claimverse Book 2)

‘Oooh, this dress is gorgeous!’ Natalie squeals, pulling out a shimmering gold number from my closet. ‘Is this Versace?’

I nod, running my fingers over the soft fabric. ‘Rhys bought it for me last week. Said it would look perfect for tonight.’

Natalie whistles low. ‘Girl, you hit the jackpot with this pack. Designer clothes, a freaking art studio… what’s next, a private jet?’

I purse my lips and her eyes go wide. ‘Seriously?’

‘It’s… not that big,” I say awkwardly.

‘Girl, they’re so loaded you’ll probably be getting your own for Christmas!’

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. ‘Don’t give them any ideas.’

As I slip into the dress, Natalie perches on the edge of my bed, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. ‘So, how’s it really going? Living here with them all?’

I pause, considering my words carefully. ‘It’s… different. Good different, I think. They’re all so kind, and attentive.’

‘And Leon?’ Natalie prods gently.

I sigh, turning to face the mirror as I adjust the dress. ‘He’s trying. Hard. Bringing me my favorite foods, leaving little gifts. The other day, he remembered how much I loved this obscure indie band and got me tickets to their show next month. It’s getting a little annoying.’

‘Annoying?’ she echoes in confusion.

‘He’s making it hard to hate him,’ I explain flatly. ‘But then I look in the mirror and see the mark and it’s a little easier.’

Natalie snorts. ‘Good. you had me worried for a second.’ She pauses, growing serious. ‘Do you believe him? That he’s changed?’

I meet her eyes in the mirror, my chest tight with conflicting emotions. ‘I think I do. He’s not the selfish boy he was. The way he is with his pack, with Rhys and Maddox… it’s clear he’s grown up.’

‘But?’ Natalie prompts, sensing my hesitation.

‘But I can’t let my guard down,’ I admit, turning to face her.

Natalie nods approvingly. ‘Good. Make him work for it.’

I feel heat rise to my cheeks. ‘It’s not about that. We’re just… coexisting as a pack. Going to support his fight tonight is part of that.’

‘Uh-huh,’ Natalie smirks, clearly unconvinced. ‘Well, let’s make sure you look smoking hot for this ‘pack outing’ then.’

An hour later, we’re strutting into the arena, flanked by Rhys and Troy. Maddox and Mace are backstage with Leon, doing their thing as his manager and trainer respectively. The energy is electric, the air thick with the scent of excitement and aggression. As we’re led to our VIP seats, I can’t help but notice the envious glances thrown our way.

‘I’ll grab us some drinks, ladies,’ Troy offers, disappearing into the crowd.

‘What am I, chopped liver?’ Rhys calls after him dryly.

‘Oh, you were included in that, Red,’ Troy shoots back with a taunting little wave.

Rhys rolls his eyes, helping me into my seat. They all fight like brothers, but I’ve come to realize that’s just how alphas show affection to each other. When push comes to shove, they’re always there for each other.

‘I’ve never been to an MMA fight before,’ Nat says, glancing around the room excitedly. ‘It’s way swankier than I was expecting.’

Rhys smiles. ‘Trust me, the arenas he started out in were pretty dodgy.’

‘You guys have been together that long, huh?’ she asks.

Rhys clears his throat awkwardly. ‘In a sense.’

‘Oh, yeah. You’re like, bondmates, right?’ She tilts her head. ‘How does that work?’

Rhys leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees. ‘It’s… complicated,’ he says thoughtfully, his voice low. ‘Platonic bonding between alphas isn’t like the mating bond between an alpha and an omega. It’s more subtle.’

I find myself hanging on his every word. In all the time I’ve known Rhys, I’ve never heard him explain this in detail.

‘It starts with scent,’ he continues. ‘You find an alpha whose scent complements yours, balances it out. Then there’s a… connection. A pull. Once a mark is in place, you start to sync up. Your moods, your ruts. You become more in tune with each other’s emotions, I guess.’

Natalie nods, fascinated. ‘So it’s like being twins, but on steroids?’

Rhys chuckles. ‘That’s one way to put it. But it goes deeper than that. It’s a bond of loyalty, of trust. When you form a pack bond with another alpha, you’re essentially saying, ‘I’ve got your back, no matter what.’ It becomes instinctual to protect and support each other.’

‘And where does an omega fit in with all that?’ Natalie asks, glancing over at me. Always looking out for me.

I can’t help but smile, even if I’m also flustered.

Rhys gives her a knowing smile. ‘That’s part of it. Bonded alphas usually form a pack, or rather, the pack forms around that bond. But you have to be compatible enough that you look for the same thing in a mate. An omega. It’s a shared responsibility, a commitment to entrust the most precious thing in your life to another person. To care for her together rather than fighting over her. To put her first in everything. It’s supposed to bring you closer.’

As he speaks, I feel a knot forming in my chest. The way Rhys describes it… it sounds intense. Profound. I think about how close he and Leon are, how in sync they always seem to be. How they can communicate with just a look.

Even now that things are so shaken up.

‘What happens if that bond is broken?’ Natalie asks.

I flinch instinctively. I was really hoping she wouldn’t go there, but I know she’s just trying to look out for me. We’ve always looked out for each other.

Rhys’s eyes meet mine, and I see a flicker of pain there. “It’s… painful. It leaves a void. A constant ache. Phantom pain, like losing a limb. And in some cases, it’s the death of the soul.”

The knot in my chest tightens. I think about Leon offering to walk away from the pack, from Rhys, for me.

And the fact that Rhys was willing to let him.

Even more than that, Rhys had been willing to kick Leon out of the pack when he found out the truth about our past. The others, too, but… they’re not bonded the way Leon and Rhys are. They’re bonded as a pack, sure, but it’s different.

He’d been ready to sever that bond.

To endure that agony for my sake.

My throat is starting to feel tight, and I feel a bit nauseous.

I mumble something I’m not quite sure of and excuse myself to use the restroom, needing a moment to collect myself before the fight begins.

Rhys’s brow furrows with worry. ‘Are you sure you’re alright on your own?’

I nod and reassure him, slipping out of the box before he can protest. In the bathroom, which isn’t nearly as busy as I expected, I feel a little calmer. I splash a little water on my face and that grounds me further. As I’m washing my hands, two beta women enter, dressed in rhinestones and sequins, giggling and whispering.

‘Did you see Leon’s pack?’ one of them gushes. ‘God, they’re all so hot.’

‘I know, right?’ her friend replies. ‘That beta manager of his… what I wouldn’t give for a night with him.’

I freeze, pretending to fix my makeup as I listen.

‘Who wouldn’t?’ her friend scoffs, adjusting her tits in her skintight dress before she fluffs out her curly blonde hair. ‘Whoever lands that pack is a lucky bitch.’

‘There are rumors, you know,’ the first one says, lowering her voice. ‘About them and some nameless omega.’

‘No way! All of them?’

‘That’s what I heard. Lucky bitch, whoever she is.’

The other one lowers her voice. ‘I don’t know if it’s true, but I’ve heard some shit about her.’

‘Really?’ the other one asks. ‘What did you hear?’

My blood runs cold. I freeze, lipstick hovering inches from my mouth.

“She’s a whore,” the blonde beta sneers. “A real one.”

‘No way!’ The other beta’s voice drips with disdain. ‘That’s such a waste of a perfect pack.’

‘Tell me about it. At least there’s no way it’ll last.’

I lower my hand, watching my reflection pale in the mirror.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

‘Leon’s famous,’ she continues. ‘He’s got a reputation to uphold. And his bondmate? A respected doctor from a high-class family? They’ll never tolerate their son shacking up with some slut.’

The lipstick clatters into the sink. I bolt, shouldering past the betas without a word. Their gasps and whispers follow me out the door.

In the hallway, I press my back against the wall, struggling to breathe. My chest feels tight, like someone’s squeezing my lungs. I close my eyes, willing the tears not to fall.

‘Ophelia?’

I jerk my head up. Troy’s there, concern etched across his face.

‘You okay?’ he asks, stepping closer.

I nod, not trusting my voice. He frowns, clearly not buying it.

‘Bullshit,’ he says, but his tone is gentle. ‘What happened?’

I shake my head. ‘Nothing. I’m fine.’

Troy raises an eyebrow. ‘You look like you’ve seen a ghost.’

I force a smile. ‘Just nerves. Big night for Leon, you know?’

He studies me for a long moment, then sighs. ‘Alright. If you say so. But if you need to talk…’

‘I know,’ I say quickly. ‘Thanks, Troy.’

We head back to our seats. Rhys shoots me a questioning look, but I avoid his gaze. I can’t deal with his concern right now.

Not when those betas’ words are echoing in my head.

The arena lights dim, and the announcer’s voice booms through the speakers. I barely hear it. My mind’s racing, replaying every moment since I joined the pack.

They’ve been nothing but kind to me.

Gentle.

Patient.

But how long will that last?

How long before they realize I don’t belong here?

And what about when it’s time to introduce me to their families?

Those betas are right.

I’m not cut out for the Carver pack.

I’m damaged goods.

Half-marked.

A whore.

And sooner or later, they’re all going to realize it.

The crowd roars as Leon enters the octagon. He looks fierce, focused. Nothing like the gentle, attentive alpha I’ve come to know these past few weeks.

The bell rings.

The fight begins.

Leon’s opponent charges forward, swinging wildly. Leon dodges, countering with a sharp jab.

The crowd goes wild.

I flinch as a punch connects with Leon’s jaw. He staggers back, but recovers quickly.

‘This should be cathartic,’ Natalie whispers, nudging me. ‘Watching him get his ass kicked.’

I force a laugh, but my stomach churns.

I should want this, shouldn’t I? After everything he put me through, I should be relishing every hit he takes.

But I’m not.

Okay, maybe I enjoyed the first one just a little tiny bit.

But it wore off fast.

Especially when I feel Rhys flinching next to me. He’s worried, too, even if he’s trying to hide it.

‘Damn,’ Troy mutters to Maddox, who just slipped into the box with us. ‘He’s off his game tonight.’

Maddox gives a small nod in agreement without taking his eyes off the ring. My hands clench into fists as Leon takes another blow. I bite my lip, tasting a bead of blood.

The fight’s close.

Too close.

Then Leon dodges the next punch, countering with a devastating uppercut that makes the other alpha stumble backward.

The crowd goes fucking insane.

Before I realize what I’m doing, I’m on my feet with the others, earning a bewildered look from Natalie. The rest of the pack seems surprised, too, but they soon join in.

Like it or not, Leon is a part of the Carver pack.

And so am I.

We can find a way to coexist, maybe even support each other, but anything more than that is totally out of the question.

It has to be.