Knot Over (Omega Den #3)

21. Vaughn

Chapter 21

Vaughn

P ulling up in front of the Den, Creed throws the truck in reverse, one hand on the back headrest as he expertly backs into the parking spot. He aims the tailgate so that it’s near the entrance, making it easier to unload the boxes. I watch his profile, admiring the ease with which he handles the vehicle. The way he maneuvers the truck with such confidence—damn, why is that so hot?

Creed catches me watching him, a smirk tugging on his lips. "Like what you see?" he teases, his voice low and playful.

"Shut up," I grumble, though a smile creeps onto my face despite myself. He reaches over to squeeze my knee, his touch warm and comforting.

"You know you love it," he murmurs, eyes sparkling with affection.

"Maybe I do," I admit, unable to resist teasing him back.

"Damn right you do."

Despite the easy banter between us, a gnawing guilt lingers in the back of my mind. I can’t shake the feeling that I've hurt him too much, that the bond we once had will always be stronger than the one we have now. The absence of my mark on his neck is a constant reminder that he's not fully mine anymore.

Sometimes I wonder if he'd be better off without me.

"Hey," he says softly, his hand reaching out to stroke my stubbled jaw. "What's going on, Vaughn? Talk to me."

I meet his green eyes, my brows furrowed in concern. He gently strokes a thumb back and forth along my jaw, patiently waiting for me to speak. "I'm so sorry for everything—"

Creed shakes his head rapidly, his blond hair momentarily tousled before falling back into place. "Stop. Stop apologizing. I'm over it all, okay? I just want our pack together and safe."

His words catch me off guard, the sincerity in his voice cutting through my self-doubt. "But I—" I begin, my throat tightening with emotion.

Creed leans closer, his forehead touching mine. "I love you, Vaughn," he breathes, his caramel scent enveloping me, making my head spin.

"God, you smell so good," I growl, my hands finding their way to the base of his neck.

Creed chuckles softly against my lips, his breath warm and teasing. He's so close, teasingly close. Just a hair's breadth from kissing me. I groan softly, unable to resist any longer. I close the gap between us, pressing my lips to his in a kiss that speaks of longing, forgiveness, and the deep bond we still share despite everything.

He responds eagerly, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me closer. The kiss deepens, our mouths moving together in a slow, passionate rhythm. It's a moment of reconnecting, of reaffirming our love and commitment.

When we finally pull back, Creed rests his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. "I love you too," I rasp, my voice husky with desire.

With a wicked grin, his hand trails down to the bulge in my jeans, teasing me with light strokes over the fabric. I shudder under his touch, but he pulls away with a chaste kiss, leaving me groaning in protest.

"Let's get this all inside, then get our pack upstairs to Kay's nest. Then we can have some real fun," he says, with that sexy grin I love so much returning to his handsome face.

"Tease," I grumble without any real heat. I get out of the truck and slam the door harder than I intended, immediately cringing at the sound. "Oops."

Creed just chuckles. "Easy there, Hulk. I like this truck. Be nice to her."

"Sorry," I mumble, my cheeks heating with embarrassment. I didn’t mean to slam the door, but Creed makes me so damn crazy I can't think sometimes.

We each grab a box from the back of the truck and head toward the Den's doors. Creed strides ahead, his posture relaxed and confident, and I can’t help but admire the way he carries himself. It's so effortless, like the world doesn’t weigh him down the way it does me. The ease with which he moves is something I’ve always envied.

He glances back at me, catching my eye with a soft smile that makes my heart skip a beat. His blond hair is tucked back into his hoodie, a few loose strands framing his face, and for a moment, all I want is to reach out and touch him, to feel that warmth and reassurance that only Creed can give me.

We reach the doors, and Creed balances his box on his hip, freeing one hand to pull open the heavy entrance. The scent of fresh paint and new wood wafts out. Candi and Hux have done a lot this past week to get the den ready for next Friday's re-opening.

"Honey, we're home!" Creed yells dramatically, making me snicker despite the heaviness in my chest. He always knows how to lighten the mood, how to make me smile even when I’m drowning in my own thoughts. “After you,” he says, holding the door open for me with a playful bow.

“Such a gentleman, pet,” I purr.

I set my box down on one of the tables, the wood cool against my fingers as I linger for a moment, lost in thought. Creed does the same, but instead of moving on, he watches me, his gaze intense and searching.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice gentle, cutting through the heavy silence of the room.

I nod, but the words stick in my throat, the weight of everything pressing down on me again. “Yeah, just… thinking.”

Thinking about everything we’ve been through, about the scars we both carry, visible and invisible. About how much I want—no, need—to fix everything, to be what they all deserve, to make our pack whole with Hux and Kay.

Creed steps closer, his presence grounding me in a way nothing else can. He doesn’t say anything, just reaches out to take my hand, his thumb brushing soothing circles over my knuckles. The simple gesture is enough to ease the tension coiled in my chest, a reminder that no matter how much I doubt myself, Creed is here, steady and unwavering.

“We’re almost there, Vaughn,” he murmurs, his voice steady and reassuring. “Whatever happens, we’ve got each other. That’s all that matters. And for the record… I forgive you for everything... You know that, don't you?”

His words sink into me, wrapping around the hurt and guilt like a balm. He’s right. We’ve been through hell and back, but we’re still standing. Still fighting. And as long as we have our pack, we can face whatever comes next. I just have to believe that, one day, I’ll be able to solidify our bond again, to feel that connection snap into place.

And when that day comes, I’ll be ready, no matter what it takes.

We head back to the truck for another round of boxes. The sun is high in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over everything, making the day feel almost too peaceful, too normal. With the Den nearly ready to open and our pack finally finding its footing again. With Kay getting the nest she deserves and Creed finally forgiving me, everything feels brighter.

It’s hard to believe that anything could go wrong on a day like this.

We each grab another box and I head back toward the door, Creed right on my heels. Just as we reach the entrance, a piercing scream rips through the air, shattering the silence. I freeze, the sound cutting straight through me. And for a split second, everything goes silent. Creed’s box slips from his grasp, hitting the ground with a loud crash.

"Kaylani!" he screams, the sound amplified by the sound of glass shattering.

"Shit!"

Without a second thought, I drop my own box and move toward the alley, instincts kicking in as adrenaline surges through my veins. The easy banter from moments ago is forgotten and all I can think about is finding Kay. I round the corner slamming into Creed's back and stumble, confusion mixing with fear as I peer over his shoulder.

What I see before us steals the breath from my lungs.