Knot The One They Want

Arabella Pov

Lorali is still yet to wake from her very long slumber. Ophelia says it’s because she herself does not want to wake. Our time in Prone City had come to an end after another week or so. Though my friends don’t want to leave, they have no choice. They must return to their houses, or suspicion will rise. Their packs are too public, so people will wonder why none of them haven’t been in the public eye for a very long time, and Torin is already trying to pin something on me for Lorali’s disappearance.

The cameras have been altered as much as possible, so the police won’t know it’s me, but Torin is determined. For some reason, he refuses to let go. The man didn’t even know his own mate’s scent, yet now he pretends to care. He even lied to me, claiming she was pregnant, which was so quickly revealed to be false the moment we stripped Lorali.

We left the country and returned to Thali, on the literal other side of the world, where my pack is from. Lorali came with us. It was debated whether she should leave with me or Cleo, but we settled on me because I live further away and the further away Lorali is from Prone City the better, at least until we get her back to normal.

We arrived back in Thali a week ago, and Lorali is still unconscious. I try to be with her as much as possible, like now. We are in her room in the east wing, closest to Ophelia’s, since she is a doctor. The room is on the first floor, with nothing but grass outside. A jump from here wouldn’t even scratch you.

I tried to design her room similar to how it was back at Alma with red and black sheets, the same type of soft mattress she loved, even posters of her favorite band, the one I hate with passion. All of it is an attempt to make the doom looming above her feel lighter. I know she’s going to be furious when she wakes. She did not want to be saved, but I did it anyway. That was selfish of me, I know. But why must she be the one to die and suffer? It should be Spade. It should be Torin.

I sit cross‑legged on the bed, the red marker scratching across Lorali’s ankle tattoo, filling in the heart shape. The act is small and time consuming how I like it, it keeps my hands busy and my mind from spiraling. "This is so unfair," I mumble under my breath, the ink bleeding into her skin like frustration leaking out of me. All my markers are for skin, by the way.

"What’s unfair?" Vanya’s voice comes from my phone, perched on the bed next to me. For a moment, I forgot we’re on a group call. "Nothing, just mumbling," I sigh, leaning back against the stacks of pillows behind me.

"Oh, okay," Vanya replies, her tone shifting. "Susie and I wanted to inform you guys that Torin is looking for a private investigator to track Lorali. The police can’t keep stalling forever, so we might have to do something about it."

My stomach twists. Torin again. Always Torin. "I’ll send someone to throw him off the scent," I mutter, exhaustion dripping from every word. I am fed up with this man.

"How are you going to do that?" Vanya presses to know, and I can’t not give her answer "I don’t know, Vani," I admit, rubbing the back of my ear. "But I’ll figure it out."

The silence that follows is heavy, filled with uncertainty neither of us can voice. The matter at hand must be dealt with carefully, or we risk giving Lorali up unwillingly. I glance at the phone, the little glowing screen showing all their names. "Is there anything else?" I ask, trying to shift the mood.

"Yes," all three of them say at the same time. Their impatience practically drips through the speaker, and I shake my head, chuckling softly despite the weight pressing down on me. "Alright, who’s first? What do you want to share with the class?"

"Susie," Cleo says quickly, teasing. "You go." Susie’s voice comes out shy and hesitant. "No, Vanya first."

I laugh, shaking my head. Wouldn’t Susie already know what Vanya is about to say? The two live in the same house. "You two are ridiculous. Fine, Vanya, spill." There’s a squeal on the other end, high‑pitched and giddy, bursting with joy. "I kissed one of my mates!" Vanya blurts out, her happiness bubbling over like a fountain.

"Oh, wow, congrats on your first kiss, girl." I smile, warmth spreading through me. I know how dull things have been with her pack, so this is a step in the right direction. She seems genuinely happy, and that makes me happy for her.

Cleo gasps dramatically at the news, her voice rising in mock outrage. "Only now? You’re just kissing now? Vanya, honestly!"

Not everyone is rushing the process," Vanya retorts, still giggling, her joy unshaken. "Some of us like to savor the moments."

Susie’s voice rings out, happy but layered with something else, something I can’t quite place "Vani, I’m happy for you. Why didn’t you tell me?" She questions, not in an odd way, but I feel something in her tone, like she’s hiding something. Maybe I’m overthinking, I’m known for doing that a lot.

"Well, I’m telling you now, and it only happened a day ago. Silas came home early, surprisingly, and randomly kissed me. He said he wants to focus on us."

Susie clears her throat at Vanya’s words, awkwardness filling the air for a second before she speaks again, her voice trembling with excitement. "Well, that’s nice. Anyway... I found a pack. One I really like. All thanks to Vani, she set me up with them."

The line erupts with cheers. "Susie!" Cleo exclaims, her voice bright. "This is amazing. I literally thought this day would never come, that the council would have to intervene to get you a pack. You probably wouldn’t even like them, and instead of just killing Lorali’s pack, we’d have to fak your death, becoming full‑stretch criminals." She says it half‑joking, but I’m pretty sure we’d actually do it if the opportunity presented itself.

"That is quite the thought, Cleo," Susie says softly, almost embarrassed.

"I’m so happy for you, Susie. Just promise me you’ll find out everything about this pack before sealing anything," I warn gently. "Don’t rush into it blind."

"I will," she assures me.

Cleo’s voice cuts in, smug and triumphant. "And I have news too. The best for last. Drum rolls for your queen, please." She announces, and we all make light drumming sounds before she squeals excitedly. "I’m having twins."

"Twins?!" Vanya cries out, her voice rising with disbelief. "Headmistress Cleovera would be impressed!" She would indeed.

"How on earth did you get pregnant so quickly?" Susie asks, bewildered. "Explain it to us, because Alma was so vague about these things. I don’t even know how this whole getting pregnant thing works."

"Yes, Cleo," Vanya adds, teasing. "Tell us how one gets pregnant. You must be an expert at these things, you got pregnant in like three months after being with your pack."

"What can I say? My mates are... talented." Cleo’s tone is smug, playful, and far too pleased with herself.

"This girl," I mutter under my breath.

"Cleo, spill the beans. Don’t hold out on us," both Vanya and Susie say at the same time, their voices overlapping. Cleo chuckles, her tone mischievous, clearly enjoying the attention. "Well, let me open your eyes to a world of pleasure. You see, when you are in heat, or any other time, your mates will take turns, if not at the same time, gently shoving their big juicy di—"

I hang up instantly, my thumb slamming the button. The call ends, the screen goes dark. I know exactly where that conversation is heading, and I’m not about to sit through Cleo’s graphic storytelling. Susie and Vanya must be mortified right now, listening to her go on in great detail.

I exhale, the laughter fading, replaced by a hollow ache. My calmness dies as my gaze drifts across the room. The sight of Lorali’s dull, unmoving face gnaws at me. Things would have been better if she were awake, laughing with us, talking like old times, joining in the chaos. But no, Pack Spade had to happen.

I clench the marker harder in my hand, the red bleeding darker across her ankle tattoo. "It should’ve been different," I whisper to her, knowing she can’t hear me. "You should’ve been with us, hearing all the gossip. None of this should have happened to you."