Page 28 of Knotty Pumpkin

Taking a moment to brush myself off, I glance back at the openwindow.

This is the last time I leave Pack Rhys behind by crawling out a window,I vow.

I just have to hope they’ll forgive me for this. The anger and fear they’re about to experience at my hand causes my knees to shake as I push to my feet. The breath I take doesn’t fill my lungs as I turn away, making my way to the street, trying to blend in with the students milling around.

There is extra security everywhere tonight. And whilst that fills my chest with warmth—I’ve never felt so protected—it will also mean that getting away to do what I plan to do tonight will be nothing short of a miracle.

My mind is made up, though. Luke will not be free by the time the night is over. Never again will he stalk me, hurt me, trap me. When I told Corey that Luke didn’t deserve my fear, I was speaking the truth. He doesn’t deserve it now, and he didn’t deserve it then. Never again will he have it.

Luke is my captor. My abuser. My baggage.

Tonight, I’m going to stop him. There’s nothing more I want than to be with my alphas, dancing the night away, gorging on Halloween candy. But I’ll never be able to enjoy myself knowing he’s out there.

Weaving my way through the costumed crowd, passing a couple of vampires and another caveman who I almostmistook for Noah, I make it to the corner without being spotted.

Sargent Hudson might be the best cop around, but there’s not a chance in hell that Luke left town. He’ll have lain tracks, believable ones, but he hasn’t left. Not now that he’s found me again. I know exactly where he’ll be. Maybe I shouldn’t be doing this on my own, maybe I should ask for help. But I couldn’t stand it if Noah or Corey got hurt. And Luke isn’t above hurting—or worse, killing—those close to me just to get his way.

No. I have to do this alone. My plan only works if the guys aren’t with me to start with. I’m just grateful Izzy is still out of town.

It’s a short walk to my apartment, the distant thump of the music still audible as I near the entry. Once the guys realise I’m missing, they won’t be far away. I don’t have much time, but I’m counting on that. Luke is bigger and stronger than me. I won’t be able to hold him long.

Each step up the stairs feels heavier than the last. My heart thuds against my ribs, faster and faster, and I almost turn around. Almost run back to my pack.

My pack.

I stop short, only a flight from my door. Pack. That’s what they are, what I want them to be. My omega claimed Noah and Corey the moment she scented them. But Idon’t think I fully admitted to myself just how hard I’ve fallen for them before now.

Taking a deep, steadying breath, I force my feet forward. This is for me. For them. So that we can be a pack, and I don’t have to look over my shoulder ever again.

My hands shake as I reach the landing and reach into my clutch, pulling out my phone and keys. Pressing my finger to the screen, I unlock it, swiping through to messages and sending a couple in quick succession as I turn to the uniformed officer stationed by my door. He tips his hat in greeting, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“Good evening, miss,” he says as I near the door. “Wasn’t expecting you on your own. Is everything alright?”

“Oh, everything’s fine,” I say, forcing a smile. But I’m not sure he buys it as the crease in his brow deepens. “Just need to grab my, uh, laptop. I’ve got some assignments due, and I forgot it the other day. Won’t be long.”

Unlocking the door, I only open it wide enough to slip through. As I close it behind me, I see him pull out his own phone. Probably notifying someone that I’m here.

Good.

As I turn from the closed door, the concentrated scent of dirty socks assaults me, and I fight back the bile rising in my throat.

Can’t let him see how much he disgusts you.

My instincts are right once again. I knew he’d be here, lying in wait for me to return home, thinking I’d be safe with the police presence. Evading authorities is one of his skills. He just has a knack for it.

A shudder rolls down my spine at the thought. I need to keep him here tonight. Convince him to stay put until help arrives. Whatever I have to do, I’ll do. This ends here.

Placing my bag on the table by the door, I swipe into the app I downloaded just for this, hitting the record button. The app will use my phone's microphone, enhancing the quality of sound to record further and clearer than it would alone.

Glancing around the open living lounge area, I try to figure out where Luke will be hiding, and where the best place might be to record. No doubt he’s in my bedroom, sniffing my underwear or some shit. I can’t keep the phone on me, that’s too obvious. But maybe I can place it nearby.

My gaze lands on the fake pot plant between mine and Izzy’s doors and I move forward, dropping it into the plastic green leaves and praying they won’t muffle the sound too much.

Wiping my sweaty palms down the front of my dress, I steel myself for what I’m about to find.He’sin there. I know it.

Knowing I have little time, I grab the still broken door and pull it open, leaning it against the wall and stepping quickly through the frame.

Luke's scent is even stronger in my room, more concentrated and suffocating than in the rest of the apartment. Memories flood me, images of a dark basement, of cuffs on my wrists, and chains shackled to the damp walls. Of weeks spent praying someone would find me before my heat started.

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