Page 102 of Knot Only For One Night

Still, if we don’t hold him to account, it’s unfair to every other member.

“We want every cent back. You will work and the total amount of ten thousand dollars will be donated to the local elementary school. The choice you have to make though, is if you’d like to stay, with a demotion, or leave.”

The room is silent as we all stare at Hunter. He hasn’t moved a muscle. He finally takes a deep breath, almost like life is flowing back into his body. “I…can stay?”

“I understand doing what you had to do for what you thought was your kid,” Ace says. “You were trying to do right by someone you loved. You just went about it wrong.”

Our club isn’t perfect. Our members aren’t perfect. We don't always make the right choice, but we try. Other MCs would have him killed, or on the run for the rest of his life.

We’re giving him a second chance.

That’s a principle I can stand behind. It’s why I could never leave.

Midnight Wolves is my home. Who I am.

Hunter’s back straightens, a fresh determination in his eye. “I promise I’ll pay every cent. I’ll do anything I can.”

“I'm glad to hear it, buddy,” Ace says. “You no longer can work in management. That will be taken over by Soren, should he want it?”

Eyes fall to Soren, who nods.

“Hunter, you are to check in with me once a week, unless you’d rather someone else, if sp⁠—”

“You are fine.”

“Thank you. You will also be working overtime for free until the debt is paid. Your entire check will go to Queen and I. Once the money is paid back, your check will go back to you. Should there be any problems, you will be stripped of your jacket and you will be forced to leave.”

“Yes, sir, thank you.” He turns to the room, standing up from his seat. “Thank you, everyone. I'm so sorry.”

“One question though.” My words kill the relief in the room, tension shimmering. “Why did you feel as if you couldn’t talk to us? To Ace?”

“Alphas aren't supposed to need help,” Hunter says sheepishly. “I let it get to my head. I’m supposed to be a leader. Strong. Smart. Everything all at once and all the time. How could I… be weak?”

I nod in perfect understanding. I’ve only seen the omega side of social pressures and expectations. The pressure to be docile, needy, unable to stand on my own two feet, subject to heats and hormones and all that shit.

But obviously, there are two sides to this coin. I haven’t been fair. To myself or my Pack. I need to fix that.

Fix me.

CHAPTER 34

ESPER

Standing in my dorm for the last time feels surreal. I haven’t stayed here very long, but this felt like the first place that was mine.

I’m back in clothes that are mine, that fit. My leggings cling to my legs as the sweat I worked up starts to dry. I need another shower. I try to smile as I turn to face Jewels and Lacy. The sweetest girls in the world who decided to help me pack my things and move into the Midnight Wolves Plaza when they saw me and Asher getting into the new truck.

I hug myself as I stare out the back window. The dark night sky greets me as the curtain I kept there is in a box somewhere.

As of now, all my stuff (fairylights included) are in the truck. I asked Asher if he’d give me a moment to say goodbye and though he may not have understood, he waited for me in the truck.

The girls must have known. Maybe they’ve experienced this feeling too. People move all the time, are kicked out for any reason and they move on.

But this place, this room, was special to me.

It was the first time I was on my own. Completely. No roommate, no parents. Just me.

And I’m leaving it on bad terms.