Page 62 of Tangled in Knots

“Callum and I made sure to be in the audience, even when they changed the date, to throw off the authorities, when they caught wind of it,” Duncan says. “We waited until the price wasgetting high enough for people to balk at it, and then we joined in and threw out a price that would be too much for anyone else to be able to bid.”

“Fifteen million,” I remember vaguely. “So you bid on their behalf?”

“Essentially,” Duncan agrees. “Sometimes Ophelia allows people to bid over the phone, but that wasn’t good enough for Rock. He wanted to put on a show of what happens when he’s offended.”

“Trust me, I got the message,” I mutter. “So did everyone there.”

“Pack Dresmond is on their way,” Callum says gently. “They’re coming to pick you up.”

“Why?” I scoff. “Jed has stated I’m a pain in the ass and he doesn’t want an omega.”

“It doesn’t matter what he wants anymore,” Duncan grunts. “You won’t be able to go anywhere without the connection between you and Damon tugging on your mind. There’s an omega shelter, but they’re never going to stop dogging your steps.”

“So I’ll never be safe,” I rasp, numbness beginning to fill my veins. “Not that I expected it, since I was bought at auction, but Rock even said it. He is going to sell me over and over again, even saying he may sample what others have had.”

My vision is beginning to white out and I force myself to blink to clear it. The idea of Rock touching me is disgusting. I can’t…

“He will not!” Callum yells. “Come on, stay with us. Breathe. I’m sure the guys have a plan?—”

“Their plans haven’t done me any fucking favors,” I growl. “Drugged, raped, and sold. Great plan, Callum. You’re kidding with this ‘plan’ bullshit, right?”

Duncan blows out a breath, leaning his forearms on the counter. “You’re right,” he admits. “They’re on the way here, so you’re going to have to talk to them, Adira. It’s not fair or right, but I’m not going to be able to keep them from here.”

“They have a claim as your pack, even if you don’t recognize them as such,” Callum says. “Feel free to stab them, yell at them, or bring Damon to his knees with your bond. I would love to see the asshole eat a little crow.”

“So you aren’t friends?” I ask, confused. “Why did you do this for them then?”

“Miscommunication happens,” Callum says. “We didn’t understand the full extent of your story, but we lost our best friend when she was fourteen. She went out with her friends to enjoy a little normalcy and we never saw her again. She was kidnapped.”

“I have no doubt that she would have been our omega,” Duncan says. They easily flow and finish each other’s thoughts without any effort. “Obviously, she was too young to present, but we were so close. Fucking thick as thieves we were.”

“We’d do anything to have her back with us, despite what she’s gone through,” Callum continues. “You may not have the history we have, but biology surpasses all of that. You need time to get to know each other.”

“How or rather, why would they want to?” I ask blandly. “After what happened to me, I’m not sure they’ll want a broken omega.”

“You aren’t broken,” Duncan growls. “A little beaten up and traumatized, yeah. Rock Dresmond has that kind of track record with the people who come into his sphere of influence. There are tons of stories no one can corroborate about how his sons grew up.”

“All of them are fucked up in the head,” Callum grunts. “I think there’s something to be said about people rebuilding aftera traumatic experience. You’ll never be the same, but you’ll still be you. Stronger, more equipped to spit back in the face of those who would want to hurt you. Make them fucking work for it, Adira. Don’t forgive them too quickly.”

“I can’t see how I’ll ever manage to do that,” I respond. “Forgiveness isn’t in my wheelhouse.”

“Then show them what happens when a little omega steps into big shoes to bring down the Dresmond clan,” Duncan says. “My inner chaos demon is going to enjoy watching you bring those men to their knees.”

“Ugh,” Callum mutters, glancing at his phone as it buzzes next to him. “Get ready, Adira. I’m going to get the door.”

Fuck. What can I possibly say to them?

DAMON

I want to break the damn door down, knowing that Adira is inside. I know I have to keep my calm. What if they refuse to give Adira up? Is it really possible that I’m her only scent match?

My mind is whirling, making up a million scenarios that I immediately set in flames. She is mine. I need to see her, tell her how I never meant for this to happen.

God, there are just no words for, “I’m sorry my brothers sold you at auction in order to protect us.”

Everything pales as I get out of the SUV, my gun feeling heavy at my back, as I follow my brothers and Morris. The beta appears worried and depressed, his brows drawn down as he walks. He lied to her over and over when she was vulnerable.

If I feel like shit, I am unsurprised that he thought about leaving our pack. Unfortunately, he’s stuck with our crazy asses. Family doesn’t have to mean anything more than knowing youbelong to them. I don’t have to fuck Morris to know that he is part of us.

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