Page 188 of Tangled in Knots

ADIRA

The next week flies by when I get a reminder email for something I agreed to attend ages ago, because it was so far away. My only experience with women for the most part is omegas at the shelter. I’m not looking forward to this event.

Hello Adira,

I hope this email finds you well. The Whalen Society Spring Fling is in two days, and I wanted to confirm your attendance. We understand you’re very busy.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Noreen Hayes

Growling under my breath, I respond, because I have no other choice but to go. I’ll need to look up a makeup tutorial to hide the last of the bruising along my eye.

I finally am no longer getting as many stares at school, and I can almost hide in the background again.

It’s amazing that it’s nearly the end of March, and that I’ll need to contact Shaw for another pill to skip my heat.

Time is getting tight, I’m a little scared sex will be uncomfortable or possibly throw me into a trauma induced panic if I’m forced to deal with it before I’m ready.

I’m especially concerned it may throw me for a loop if it’s in a haze of slick and heat when I’m completely out of my mind the way I was at the auction.

This entire conversation in my head is going to have to be tabled for now, since I don’t think I can handle it. Maybe I need to get back and talk it out in a podcast.

It’s scary to toss out so much inner trauma to the world, but at the same time if I pretend it’s just me and the computer, it helps.

Omega Linkis a great way to upload podcasts, even though the comments are ruthless.

Miss Noreen,

I very much appreciate the reminder. It has been a very hectic few weeks, but I will absolutely be in attendance at the Spring Fling. Can you send me the address again, please?

Thank you so much,

Adira Firestone

I may look like an airhead, but I’m not. I was never sent an address, my way is simply the more diplomatic way of communicating this. Closing my laptop, I blow out a breath. It’s only Monday, for goodness sakes, and I am ready for a nap.

“What’s wrong?” Damon whispers across from me in my library nook. Whenever we aren’t in class, we’re at the library in between classes. It’s become our thing so I’m never alone for too long, since our schedules differ from each other.

That is, except for the days he purposefully had his schedule changed to the same courses I’m in.

“The Whalen Society is having a party I have to attend,” I explain softly. “I knew it was something I had to do, I just forgot when it was.”

“I’d forget everything if I was you,” Damon mutters. “Be nice to yourself, Adira. Your life is hectic.”

Nodding, I sigh as I open up my math book to work on some new problems. The room in the rental has been helping me feel more comfortable in the space.

I stole shirts from all four pack members from their dirty laundry baskets when they weren’t looking and stuffed them under my blankets. I’ve only had one nightmare this week, and the four of them ran into my room with their guns drawn.

It was awkward, but the four of them climbed into the queen bed or slept on the floor when they realized my mind was the enemy, and not an intruder. Not one of them mentioned the clothing they found stuffed under the blankets.

Any big transition makes me twitchy, so going between the Kelly’s home and the rental is difficult for me. I need to stay in one place for a little while. All the changes are making it hard for me to manage my instincts.

I completely moved out of the shelter as of three days ago and did my exit interview. Aisling and I both cried, though we have a lunch date soon. My emotions are a tumultuous mess.

I was laughing yesterday at something and then began crying hysterically. Poor Morris and Jed didn’t know what to do. Kane tackled me gently in a hug and let me cry it out, while he glared at the other two.

It would be funny if it wasn’t also so embarrassing.

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