Knot Over (Omega Den #3)

10. Kaylani

Chapter 10

Kaylani

W hen I finally manage to open my eyes, they settle on Vaughn, who’s sitting across from me in the tub. His clothes are drenched, clinging to his broad shoulders like a second skin, and water drips down the hard lines of his jaw. His onyx gaze is so intense and filled with hunger that it stokes the fire inside me back to life with fierce, consuming heat.

I suck in a sharp breath and his scent captivates me, pulling a soft moan from my lips. The air thickens with my perfume—fresh-cut roses that mingle with the bitter sweetness of my pack’s combined scents.

The aroma is dizzying.

My eyes follow the path of water down Vaughn’s temple, tracing the sharp curve of his jaw and onto his neck. The urge to taste him surges through me, overwhelming and insistent. My mouth waters with the desperate, needy ache to taste him—to lick and suck every last drop of the desire I see mirrored in his onyx eyes.

“Do you taste like chocolate?” the words slip out in a breathy whisper. The moment the question leaves my lips my eyes widen in shock, and a deep flush spreads across my cheeks. Vaughn’s gaze darkens, his eyes flashing with something raw and primal. He leans in slightly, the water sloshing over the edge of the tub.

“What was that, doll?”

I bite my lip, the weight of my own desire making my heart race.

“I-I didn’t mean to say that out loud,” I stammer, my embarrassment only fueling the heat that pulses between us. But the look in Vaughn’s eyes tells me there’s no taking it back now, and a shiver runs through me as I realize just how much he enjoyed hearing it.

Vaughn’s lips curve into a slow, wicked smile. “Oh, I think you did,” he murmurs, his voice dripping with dark promise. “And now that you’ve said it… there’s no going back.”

I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest. “I… I want to taste you,” I stammer, the words tumbling out in a rush before I can second-guess myself.

A slow, wicked smile spreads across Vaughn’s face, his hunger barely restrained as he watches me squirm under the weight of my own desires. “You’re playing with fire, doll,” he murmurs, his voice a rough caress that sends a shiver down my spine. “But if that’s what you want…”

The air between us thickens with tension. Vaughn’s presence is overwhelming, his drenched form so close yet still just out of reach. My body reacts instinctively, a fresh wave of slick rushing between my thighs, my scent spiking. The delicate aroma of roses fills the small, steamy space, mingling with the heady mix of coffee and spice that clings to Vaughn’s skin.

I can’t tear my gaze away from him, the sight of Vaughn drenched and dripping, his hunger now fully unleashed, drives me to the edge of my control. “I need you, Vaughn,” I whisper, the confession tumbling out of me in a desperate plea. “Please…”

Creed’s hand slides up my stomach, his touch soothing as he whispers instructions to Vaughn. “Go set up a nest in my room downstairs. She’s going to have another wave soon and we need to prepare her,” he instructs softly, his deep voice vibrating against my ear as he continues to comfort me. The calmness in his tone is a stark contrast to the tension thrumming through his body, a controlled urgency as he tries to prepare for the next inevitable onslaught of heat.

Vaughn hesitates, his gaze locked on mine, his jaw tightening as if he’s fighting against the pull between us. Finally, he nods, the tension in his broad shoulders visible as he stands. Water streams off his clothes, glistening on his tattoos, and as he pushes his damp hair back with a hand, the sight of droplets trailing down his muscled arms makes my breath hitch. The urge to lean forward and lick each bead of water off his skin is nearly unbearable, a primal instinct that claws at my restraint.

But Vaughn forces himself to step out of the tub, leaving me trembling in Creed’s arms, his presence a burning imprint that refuses to fade even as he disappears from view. The loss of him leaves me aching, the need still pulsing through me, but Creed’s firm, steady hold is enough to keep me grounded—for now.

Creed tilts my chin up to face him, his expression pinched with worry as he searches my eyes. “We’re going to get through this, okay?”

I nod weakly.

"About a year ago, my mother dosed me with Heat," he confesses, his voice low and filled with sadness.

"Creed–"

“Shh,” he interrupts my attempt to speak. “Please, Kay, just listen. This is important. The pain will come back, and I’m so sorry about that, but you need to be prepared.” His bright green eyes lock onto mine through the strands of his overgrown hair plastered to his forehead, his expression a blend of worry and determination.

My stomach sinks.

"Come back?" I ask, my voice cracking with fear.

He nods. “I wish I could take it away from you, but I can’t. For now, just relax and try to rest. Vaughn and I will be here for you every step of the way.” His eyes search mine, seeking reassurance. “You know that… don’t you?” His thumb gently rubs soothing circles on my jaw.

I nod. I trust that Vaughn and Creed will be here for me.

“Yes.” Closing my eyes, I allow myself to sink into his hold, relaxing against his chest.

Creed clears his throat, the sound rough and jagged, as if he’s trying to dislodge something stuck inside. “I should warn you, the heat that hit me was…” he pauses as if looking for the right words.

“The most painful experience of my life. It felt like I would die without a knot, but when I finally had one… it was with an alpha my mother had set up for me.” His hands tremble as he speaks. “But remember everything you’ve been through, tiny. You’re strong. You’ll be okay.”

I move to turn back to face him, but his arms tighten around my chest, holding me still. “Once the medication finally wore off,” Creed continues, his voice now a whisper, “I think it was about three days later. I came here. To Vaughn. And I never looked back.” His words linger in the air, heavy with the weight of his past and the pain that still haunts him.

My fists clench, nails digging into my palms as anger surges through me. The thought of Creed being forced through this makes my blood boil and my stomach churn with rage. Panic grips my chest, tightening around my heart like a vice.

Three days of agonizing heat?

The thought alone is unbearable. I couldn’t—wouldn’t—survive something like that.

Finally, he lets me turn to face him. The sorrow in his eyes, the regret—it’s the same look he had when Vaughn broke their bond. But beyond that, I see his strength, the resolve that carried him through his own hell. He survived it. Maybe I can too.

His thumb brushes over my lower lip with tender strokes. “I was so fucking mad at you for leaving the funeral, tiny,” he says, his voice raw and strained. Guilt gnaws at my insides, twisting painfully. I was so overwhelmed by Hux hiding things from me that I ran, but hearing Creed’s anguish brings that hurt into sharper focus.

“I never meant to hurt you,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

He sighs heavily, his eyes searching mine as if pleading for understanding. “I was forced to walk away from Vaughn once. Remember? It nearly broke me. But if I lost you…”

The gravity of his words settles over me, making my chest tighten. The memory of Creed’s shattered expression when Vaughn broke their bond is etched into my mind. The thought of causing him that kind of pain again is unbearable. I lean into his touch, pressing a kiss into his palm, trying to convey all the regret and sorrow I feel at bringing up those feelings for him again by walking away.

“I’m sorry, Creed,” I say, my voice trembling.

Creed’s gaze softens slightly. “Do you not understand that I love you? That I’m yours? Please don’t ever run from me. Please ,” he begs.

My heart aches at the raw honesty in his voice. I know I have a habit of running when things get tough, but seeing the impact it has on him is a wake-up call.

“I love you too,” I whisper, my heart swelling with the realization.

Creed’s hand smooths across my jaw, and I can feel the tremor in his touch. “Promise me you won’t leave me, Kaylani,” he pleads, using my full name instead of his nickname for me. “Promise me you won’t run from me again. I need to know you’ll stay and face this with me. All this shit around us is bearable if I have my pack. If I have you.”

The intensity in his gaze makes my heart pound. I can see the depth of his vulnerability, and it cuts through me like a knife. The fear in his eyes—fear of losing me, fear of being alone again—makes me realize how much I mean to him.

I nod. “I promise,” I murmur, and then his lips capture mine.