Page 66 of Tangled in Knots

What will happen the next time that their father snaps?

I can't even allow myself to imagine.

“Let me out, boys,” I say, forcing steel into my tone.

Damon opens the door, sliding out as his eyes stay on me. I ignore them all, their intensity making me want to whine. I can’t allow myself to focus on their scents, or anything about them that will make me hesitate. I need to push forward.

Being my father’s princess made me used to living inside of a prison. A cage is always a cage, no matter how pretty it is. The same is true for these men. They want to wrap me up in wool, but it’s a lie.

They’re still willing to hurt me.

Shivering as the night air fills the car, I slide out of the vehicle, my feet hitting the pavement as I hiss.

“You’re not wearing proper shoes,” Damon growls.

“It hasn’t stopped me before,” I remind him. “I need to be as far away from you as possible.”

“Don’t get used to it,” he grunts. “I can’t live without you. It sounds toxic as fuck, but I mean it. No matter how far away, I’ll still be inside of you. What if you have a nightmare?”

“Then I guess you’ll have it with me,” I sigh. “The entire reason this shelter exists is to be away from alphas and their damn influence.”

Morris opens Jed’s window, leaning forward as I begin to walk.

“Adira. There are healthy packs out there,” he says softly. “The power dynamic can be balanced, and not everything is about control and using it to hurt their omega. I don’t want you to think this is why scent matches exist. It’s not. We weren’t ready for you to come into our lives. Believe that we want to prove to you that we can be.”

“I don’t think I can believe any of your pretty words,” I tell him before I’m moving in front of the SUV and crossing the street.

My hands are shaking as I wrap my arms around myself, my hair whipping around me from the vicious wind. Fuck, winter is the worst.

Gazing at the door, I wonder if they’ll open it. Will they wonder if it’s safe? I wouldn’t blame them if they refuse me. Maybe I’ll just sit outside until the sun comes up. I’m sure I’ll be a frozen popsicle by then, but I’ll still be free.

Now that I know how gilded my prison was, I don’t want to take the easy way in anything. There’s always a price for it.

I’m not sure if I’m prepared to pay.

Raising my hand, I knock on the door before wrapping my arms around myself for warmth that doesn’t seem to want to come. The door seems to take forever to open, and I hear the SUV door open behind me.

“Little omega,” Jed yells. “They’re not going to open. Come back here.”

“No!” I yell back, breathing hard. “Please open, please.”

Tears feel as if they’re freezing just as quickly as they well up in my eyes, and I blink rapidly to clear my vision. Shuddering as I stare at the door, I stand by the wall and lean against it, prepared to slide down it to wait until sunrise.

“Knock again,” a whisper slips through my mind. Damon.

Forcing myself to breathe evenly, I nod, turning to knock hard on the door.

“Hello!” I call out. “Please help me!”

I don’t know if there are hotlines or proper channels to follow for admittance. I’m probably doing this all wrong and I’ll be forced into going back with Pack Dresmond. I understand the thin veil of choice that they’re giving me.

If the shelter doesn’t open up, Jed will probably stomp over here and drag me back to the vehicle.

My chest is heaving with anxiety, and I’m struggling not to become a hysterical mess. I don’t want to be turned away because I can’t make sense either. I’m also struggling with thoughts of danger.

Cities aren’t safe for omegas. It was an hour drive here from Pack Kelly’s home without any traffic. I don’t know how close this is to the auctions, my sense of direction thoroughly messed up by this point.

“Hello?” the door opens finally, and I swallow back a sob in relief. The SUV doors slam shut and they drive off into the night, making me glance back as they go around the corner.

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