Page 27 of Knotty Pumpkin

We make our way inside, nodding at the guys as Saylor leads the way to the dance floor, already filled with partygoers in all manner of dress. From witches to celeb look-alikes. Noah breaks away, nodding towards the back of the room where a makeshift bar is set up.

“Sealed drinks,” I shout over the pounding bass, remembering how we’d found our Pumpkin in the alley.

Noah nods, and I let Saylor drag me to the middle of the thrumming bodies. All around us, people lose themselves in the music. Solo, paired up, or in groups—alphas, betas and omegas all dance together. Bodies grinding, I hold Saylor close as she lets the beat take over. The tension she’s been holding in her posture slowly seeping out as she lets herself go.

Noah joins us a couple of songs later, handing us each a bottle of apple cider. A beautiful mix of orange and red liquid shimmers through the glass and I realise they’re the new Halloween themed ‘poisoned apple cider cocktail’ drinks the local brewery just released. It runs smoothly down my throat as I take a sip, stepping back and watching as Noah wraps his arms around Saylor’s waist while she dances.

How did I get so lucky? Watching the two of them together is like witnessing two parts of my heart merge into one. How quickly Saylor has become a part of me would be terrifying if it didn’t feel so right. She fits us perfectly.

I watch the two of them until they break from the crowd, Noah clasping her hand tightly as they make their way to me.

“Bathroom break,” Saylor says.

“Okay, we’ll come with you.”

“No, no. It’s right there,” she says, pointing across the room to a door where a few women are gathered. “Stay here. You can see me, and I’ll be right back.”

A weight settles in my stomach as I look at Noah. His jaw is tight as he nods. She drops his hand, pushing up on her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his cheek. Doing the same to me, she turns away, her eyes sparkling in theflashing lights as she weaves through the crowd to the bathroom.

“Shit,” I mutter to Noah. “I don’t want to fucking stand here and just watch. What if something happens while she’s in there?”

“I feel the same way. But we can’t force her. She isn’t ours.”

“Yet,” I growl, not taking my eyes off the door as she disappears behind it.

“Yet,” Noah agrees. “Trust me, it’s taking everything I have to reign in my alpha and not break my way into that room. But what if we push too hard and she runs?”

The thought had crossed my mind. Saylor is a survivor. She’s strong, capable, and fiercely independent. We need to respect that, allow her to thrive. We can’t squash who she is because of our protectiveness.

Together we stand watching the door, the party going on around us in a blur. My spine stiffens, my pulse picking up as a few minutes pass by with no reappearance.

“Fuck,” Noah growls, uncrossing his arms and standing tall. “Move,” he barks as he pushes through the crowd toward the bathroom. They part, the force of his command tangible even over the thumping music.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Saylor,” he calls, pounding on the door again. “Open up, Pumpkin.”

Nothing but silence follows his demand, and a knot forms in my throat. What if Luke got to her?

“Saylor, honey, Noah is going to break this door down if you don’t answer him right away.”

Silence follows again and we don’t wait any longer. Trying the handle, I find it locked.

Noah takes a few steps back, readying himself to kick the door down, just like we did at her apartment.

Following suit, I join him and together we kick. The door splinters straight down the middle.

Noah’s faster than I am, kicking again. The frame breaks and the door comes free.

Pushing it open, I freeze as I glance around the space. Nothing is out of place. The room is completely empty. Everything is still, except for the small curtain above the sink, billowing as the breeze blows gently in the open window.

“Where is she?” Noah barks, clenching his fists as he comes in behind me.

“I don’t know.”

Chapter Seventeen

Blinking back the tears threatening to spill from my eyes, I lift the window and make my way through it. The cool air hits my skin as my hips stick in the frame. My heart threatens to beat out of my chest as I wiggle, trying to get free. They release suddenly and I’m launched forward, falling into the small garden bed by the side of the house.

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