Page 119 of Cruel Knots

Surprise flickers through me. I can’t believe he came to see me first.

“See you around, Princess,” he says, pecking my lips.

I watch him walk out of the room with a pounding heart.

It’s an embarrassing confession but I’ve never been to a club before.

Imprisoned at home, I remember browsing through the photos my friends posted on their social media. Most of my experiences come from watching their life through their eyes.

A hollow sigh escapes me.

I need to stop feeling sorry and pathetic about myself.

Callum is no longer around to control me. I can go to the wildest club in Ashville and get drunk or high. With Leon and Mikhail at my side, I don’t have to fear anyone.

Excitement bubbles inside me. It’s still a couple of hours until seven but I hurry inside my closet to look through the clothes hanging there.

Glancing around my sparse possessions, I realize none of the clothes here would suit a night out at a club. Browsing through the stuff I bought from the biker fair, I come across a short denim skirt.

The length comes up to be several inches above the knees, making it the sexiest thing in my closet. Paired with a shirt and my tall, tan boots, the outfit wouldn’t look too shabby or puritanical for a fancy nightclub in downtown Ashville.

Feeling excited, I walk out of the room and throw myself onto the bed. Picking up my Kindle, I go back to reading the thriller novel I’d downloaded last night. It’s the best way to pass the time until I can finally get out of Volkov Manor.

Leon and Mikhail come to my room at seven-thirty PM. The slight delay drowned me in a cloud of misery, making me worry the trip was either canceled or they’d decided not to take me.

I almost pirouette on my toes when my ruthless alphas appear at my threshold, looking hot-as-sin in black leather attires.

Leon looks ravishing with his wild, flaming-red hair falling into his amber eyes. Mikhail’s jacket and the black wifebeater underneath show off his broad pecs and the tattoos covering his skin.

Their dark, wicked grins can get any girl to fall in lust with them in one glance.

The thought makes me feel doubly self-conscious. I hope I don’t look like a dork, I think nervously as Leon moves forward to grab me by the waist and kisses me.

Locked in a kiss with Leon, I feel Mikhail’s presence behind me. His hands hold onto my shoulders as he presses kisses to the side of my neck.

The scent of artificial fragrances wraps around me, making me miss their natural musk. I’ve used liberal amounts of de-scenters too, helping me mask my perfume.

I moan into Leon’s mouth as Mikhail cups my breasts over my shirt and squeezes. A heady feeling consumes me as the heat from both their bodies seeps into mine.

“I’m having second thoughts about taking her,” Mikhail says in a low, gruff voice. “Just look at her.” He gestures at me. “She looks like a newly designated omega. Her makeup barely shows the bite marks we’ve left on her. What if someone mistakes her for an unclaimed omega? There are way too many rogue alphas walking around town and preying on omegas like her.”

“No way,” I scoff. “There’s no way I look that naïve. I can handle myself even if a rogue alpha tries something funny with me.”

Identical amused expressions descend on Mikhail and Leon’s faces.

“Please, take me,” I say, showing my desperation to them. “I’ve been cooped here all week. We don’t even have to go to a club. We can go anywhere you like. Please?”

“Fuck,” Mikhail curses and throws up his hands. “How the fuck do you say ‘no’ when she’s making those puppy eyes at you?”

“Both of you, chill,” says Leon. The tip of his knife is suddenly pressed at the base of my throat. “Don’t try to run,” he says in a threatening tone. “If you make a scene in front of people there, I’ll cut your jugular. Understand?”

His warning sends a pang through me.

Leon seems to detect my pain. “Standard warning, Princess,” he says, taking the knife away. “It’s better to remind you of the consequences than be forced to punish you.”

I nod and look away. They still don’t trust me enough to think I’ll stay by their side without them forcing me.

They lead me out of the room and take me to the underground garage where they keep their cars and bikes. I wait for them while they gear up with helmets and gloves.

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