Page 29 of Knot My Sin

Throwing caution to the wind, I stare at the logs that are ahead of me. It looks like a bunch of tree branches also fell onto the ground from the fury of the wind. Moving forward, I continue calling her name as I look for a body, no, a person, who is incapacitated.

A bubble of hope starts to build as I find another boot. It’s covered in mud, leaves, and sludge, but it's evidence that she is nearby.

“Harley!” I scream out again. “Come on, sweetness. Tell me where you are!”

There’s not another sound other than echoes of my voice, making me growl. Prowling forward, I look for signs that something has been disturbed. Leaning over the giant log, my lips part as I see a deep ravine where the soil eroded from the rain.

I can hear the guys' voices, but I can’t say anything because at the bottom of the ravine is a crumpled body mostly covered with water and leaves. Her wet, dark-brown hair is plastered to her naked body, and she doesn’t respond again when I say her name.

Swallowing hard as my heart pounds, I turn my head to yell for help.

“I’m over here and I’ve found her,” I roar. “I’m going to need help to get her out, though.”

My eyes never leave Wren as my pack surrounds me.

“Fuck,” Ambrose moans softly, staring down at her. “Flynn…”

“I don’t want to wait, but I get it. I’ll help you out as you climb back out,” Flynn says dejectedly. “Just get her out. Please.”

Our omega has been a shell of his normal self, unable to stop crying, unable to eat. Ambrose, Everest and I have been beside ourselves, but determined to find Wren as well. It’s clear she’s important, even if we don’t understand why.

“We got her, baby boy,” I promise, squeezing his shoulder. “I love you. Thank you for staying safe, yeah?”

“Yeah,” he breathes as we hand him our electronics.

Ambrose kisses Flynn’s temple before following me as I walk down the ravine. It's narrow, and I fall on my ass several times. Everest takes the other side and simply slides down to the bottom, making a small splash.

Classic Everest. Path of least resistance for the win.

“You good?” I ask as I pick my way to the bottom with Ambrose.

“Yeah. No time to wait,” he grunts as he lifts Wren into his arms. “Come on little omega. Let’s see what hurts.”

Her head lolls back, making my stomach drop as I slide the rest of the way down.

“I’ll check for a pulse,” I grunt. Everest’s arms are full, so I search for a pulse once I’m next to them.

Ambrose’s intense dark eyes follow my motions. People say he’s soulless, but it’s possible he feels things the most.

“It’s faint,” I mutter. “Let’s get her out of here.”

The deep bruises under her eyes are painful to see, and she’s so damn pale. Her skin is freezing cold now, and it’s clear her heat is over.

“No wonder we couldn’t find her,” Ambrose sighs. “How did she get so far?”

Something about her draws me in, and I’m unable to help the snarl on my lips as I give in to my baser instincts. She’s hurt, I shouldn’t be doing this, but I still lean in and ghost my nose up her throat.

“Shaw!” Everest protests.

I’m lost to him as the scents of lemon, lavender, and vanilla flood my senses. I can smell dirt, the rainwater, and the mustiness of the leaves as well, but that’s not what makes me rock back in shock.

“Oh my God,” I whisper. “Get her out of here. Be careful.”

“I will. What’s wrong?” Everest asks as he moves to climb out with her.

“Shaw!” Flynn yells, making my tortured gaze rise to meet his eyes.

My omega’s chest is heaving as he drops to his knees. I know he sees the truth as he shakes his head.

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