Page 11 of Knotty Pumpkin

I feelsafewith Noah. Something I haven’t truly felt around an alpha in a long time. I lied when I told both him and Corey that I didn’t know why I snuck out of their safe haven. A different safe haven led me to Luke, and all of his depraved, possessive actions that came next.

When I’d met Luke my instincts had been screaming at me to get away, but I’d ignored them, taking for granted the vetting he’d have gone through to be registered as a safe haven provider. He couldn’t be dangerous if he’d made it through that process. But he could, and he was, and the only positive I can take from the entire experience is that I now trust my instincts unconditionally.

And they’re telling me Noah is safe. Corey, too.

Loosing myself in the kiss I wrap my arms around his neck, a small gasp escaping me as our bodies press flush together. His arousal presses firmly against my lower stomach, his own coffee scent joining mine and thickening the air.

Holy shit. Slick moistens my panties, and I begin to wish we were anywhere but here. Alone. And naked.

Noah breaks the kiss and presses his forehead to mine as we both catch our breath.

There is nothing in my life that has felt as right, as natural and all-consuming as that kiss. Excitement sends a shiver through me, the desire to spend more time with Noah, and his packmate, the only thing I can focus on. What had he said before we kissed? Something about the house of horrors?

“I love Halloween, love the House of Horrors,” I breathe. “Not as much as I loved that kiss, but I would like to go.” This whole festival is me to a T. I love fall, the cooler weather, the warmer clothes, and Halloween. Halloween is my favourite time of the year.

“Great,” he says, grinning down at me as he takes my hand again, our fingers intertwining. “I love a good jump scare.”

The festival is ramping up now, students finishing class for the day coming by to check it out. Noah leads me through the thickening crowd, and I find myself grateful for the cool breeze blowing through the space. Without it the scents of those around us might be overwhelming. Noah's close proximity means his scent is the strongest of all and I inhale deeply, allowing it to wash over me and calm my omega.

The line to the House of Horrors moves quickly and we enter the large tent within a few minutes. The lighting is dim, flickering on and off as we enter the tent hand inhand, a faint sheen of smoke filling the space, the sound of screams from the areas ahead ringing through the air. I can’t fight the giant grin breaking out across my face.

“Why do you love Halloween?” Noah asks as we wander down the first space, a long hallway with various frames hanging on the wall, gruesome images filling each of them.

“Halloween is one of the few holidays where you can choose how to celebrate. There is no normal way to celebrate. You can dress up, letting your costume provide an escape for a little while. You can stuff your face with candy with no judgement. And you can go somewhere with the intention of feeling scared, feeling that adrenalin and rush of endorphins while still knowing you’re safe. For me, it’s healing. It helps me process the trauma of my past and look at the world more positively.”

Noah’s eyes lock with mine, studying me intently while heat floods my cheeks. I hadn’t meant to be so damn open, to reveal that there was anything traumatic in my past. It slipped out because I feel so incredibly comfortable with him.

Raising our joined hands to his mouth, he presses a kiss to mine, a purr rumbling through his chest and calming my beating heart. “You’ll always be safe with me, Pumpkin.”

I nod, “Thank you, I believe you when you say that.”

“When you’re ready, I’d like to know more about your past. What has shaped you into this wonderful woman you are. I hope you’ll trust me enough to share that with me.”

Butterflies flutter in my stomach as he places a kiss on my forehead and squeezes my hand, letting the subject drop and leading me onwards.

We continue forward, passing the last of the frames and coming to another door when a hand claps down on my shoulder.

I scream, surprised by the sudden touch, dropping Noah’s hand and jumping forward. My scream quickly turns to a giggle as I see an arm snap back through one of the frames. An actor must be hidden behind the wall, ready and waiting to provide a jump scare.

Noah’s deep, rumbling laugh booms through the small space as he reaches for me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me in for a gentle kiss.

“Ready to see what other scary things await us?” he asks as we face the door to the next area, the light above it flashing green, letting us know the party ahead has made it through.

“I can’t wait.” Excitement buzzes through me, joining the adrenaline already rushing through my veins. Bouncing on my heels, I wait as the door opens, revealing a gruesome zombie apocalypse scene. Red strobed lightingflashes intermittently through the space, revealing puddles of blood, dismembered bodies, and a couple of moving zombies wandering through the space.

I giggle again, the scene both realistic and so far removed from reality that I can’t help myself.

“A girl who laughs in the face of danger. Hot.” Noah remarks, stepping beside me and taking my hand again as we move through the space, dodging the zombies with their outstretched hands and hideous faces.

“Danger? This is nothing,” I snort, intending for the comment to be a joke. But it falls kind of flat, the ring of truth behind it undeniable.

This really is nothing compared to what I’ve faced in real life. I hadn’t been lying when I told Noah I found this healing. This is fear I can process, that has positive memories attached, and that helps me let go of the past.

We make our way through a couple of other themed rooms, none of them really all that scary. Noah holds my hand the whole time, the conversation flowing, his affection easy and welcome. Warmth spreads across my chest and cheeks from the constant contact.

I’m comfortable with him, I realise. Happy and safe in his company. My trust isn’t something I give lightly, but somehow, he already has it.

We stumble out of the tent, laughing at the murder mystery scene in the last section, as we wander through the park. The fresh air is inviting as the sun begins its descent, whatever scent neutraliser they used in the tent did a shitty job of it, the lingering scents of those passing through before us had begun to bother me by the end.

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