Page 33 of Knot My Sin

“Why aren’t you?” he asks as if making conversation. Instead, I can see the tension in his body as he waits to hear my response.

“I couldn’t feel jealous of someone who was meant to be part of our pack,” I explain to him. Thinking about everything she’s been through makes my eyes sting, and I’m so goddamn tired of crying. I’ve just about made myself sick. “Wren was a little lost, but she’s here now. No one will ever hurt her again.”

“Except us!” Shaw hisses, his hand slapping down on the water. Shaking his head, I can see him visibly attempt to get ahold of himself. “We hurt her. What’s to say we won’t fuck up again?”

“We could,” I sigh. “We have to do the best we can to never fuck up this badly again.”

“This can never happen again,” he says vehemently. Shaw combs his fingers through Wren’s hair as his chest rumbles for her. It naturally relaxes both of us as he rinses her hair.

“God, I can’t believe I found her. She was so hidden. If she hadn’t spoken to me…”

“If she didn’t want to be saved, she wouldn’t have,” I realize. Goosebumps rise on my skin, despite the warmth of the water. “Holy fuck, Shaw.”

“You’re right, though,” he says sadly. “We have to give her something to live for. Life gets dark, she needs light to help her find her way back.”

As we finish up and I pull off her panties to wash her quickly between her legs, Shaw wraps her in a towel and lifts her. Standing quickly, I grab a towel.

“Wait,” I tell him as I shed my swim trunks, stepping out and drying off. “Get her in one of your shirts. Preferably something you’ve worn to bed or something, okay?”

Understanding shines in his eyes as he nods. Blowing out a breath, I follow them, finding Everest dressed and waiting for us.

“The doctor is here, guys,” he says. His gaze stays on Wren, never straying from her face. “He asked to examine her somewhere she’ll be comfortable once she’s settled.”

“Here,” I grunt as Shaw removes Wren’s fluffy towel to dress her in his shirt from last night. It’s still clean, but it’s wrapped in his scent.

The little omega starts to relax as he tucks her in, her breathing growing deeper as she sleeps. Pulling myself away from her to dress, I lift up a prayer that she’ll be safe with us.

Please don’t let us break her.

8

AMBROSE

“She’s very dehydrated, Ambrose,” the doctor says softly in the living room.

Shaw had to be removed from our room when Dr. Fields examined her. Watching a male, even a beta, touch his unmated scent match was too much for his instincts to handle.

Everest and I had to wrestle him away while Flynn looked on with wide and understanding eyes.

God, what are the fucking odds of this happening?

“Okay, Doc. Tell me what we’re facing here. Flynn said you put her on a sedative too? Why?” I ask.

Wren can’t advocate for herself and has been through enough. I’ll ask the tough questions while she gets better.

“Her body is in shock. There’s evidence that this heat was exceptionally difficult,” he says softly. “She has scratches down her body from her nails, I assume to attempt to distract herself from the pain. Wren also looks emaciated. I’m very concerned about her.”

“We found her at an auction,” I explain. “We didn’t plan to bid on her, but?—”

“I don’t need explanations,” Dr. Field grunts. He’s one of Corbin’s doctors, and too much information has been known to be bad for people’s health. “I do need to know if you’re going to take care of her. Wren needs food, nutrients, and the things an omega needs to feel safe. This heat was traumatic, she may not have another until she feels safe or her body has recovered more. I did want to take blood because I want to run some tests. May I?”

“Tests? Like what?” I ask, eyes narrowing. I’m a paranoid son of a bitch on a good day, today is not the day to push me.

Shaw’s instincts aren't the only ones that are freaking out. Biology may have made Wren his mate, but I feel the pull too. It’s why I pushed her out as well. I felt like I shouldn’t feel this way when I’m mated to Flynn. God, this is such a shit show.

“I don’t know her medical history,” Dr. Fields says, opening his arms wide to placate me. “Wren could have special needs that she can’t tell me about since she’s asleep. Her blood has answers I need in order to be able to properly care for her. Can I do my job?”

“Run it,” Everest grunts, stepping into the room. I wouldn’t be surprised if Shaw is on his heels. “I don’t want any more surprises. I mean… we’ve fucked things up enough as it is.”

---