Page 86 of Tangled in Knots

“Yeah,” I answer.

“Weapon?” he grunts, rolling his eyes as I pull out the small pocket knife. “Are you trying to tickle someone with that?”

“I’d rather not use it at all,” I say easily. Now that I’m leaving, his growly manner doesn’t bother me as much. I have money in hand, he tipped my credit card tips out before closing the register, I’m happy.

Six hundred dollars in tips on a Wednesday night. I’m absolutely in heaven. I don’t know what the scholarship will cover outside of tuition, but I want to be prepared. I’m not naive enough to think this will be a walk in the park.

“You’re already so frustrating,” Caleb mutters.

“I wish I could say I’ve never met an alpha who growls so much, but that would be a lie,” I sass.

Where did that come from?

He doesn’t give me a chance to apologize, a knee jerk omega’s reaction to keep him happy, because he disappears into his office, only to return with something in his hand.

“This is a stun gun,” Caleb says, showing it to me. “I wish I had a damn taser, so you wouldn’t have to be so close in order to be able to use it. Not all stun guns have a safety switch, but thisdoes. Push this sliding thing to disengage the safety. Press this button down to make it spark, it’s the trigger. It’s not the most scientific way of explaining the damn thing, but you’ll be able to bring someone down for long enough to run. Here. Show me you can use it.”

Taking it gingerly from him as I put away my pocket knife, I carefully follow the steps he gave me, and press down the trigger when he motions for me to try it. The noise is loud enough to cause a reaction, my eyes wide as I move my finger.

“Keep the safety switch off when you’re walking around the city,” Caleb lectures. “Aim for lower center mass areas, especially since that’s what you’ll be able to reach. I’m talking about below the chest, legs if they’re facing you, or their back if they’re not. Play dirty and get the fuck out. Okay?”

“Yes,” I say shakily, putting the stun gun in my pocket.

“Do you have a phone?” he asks. “Sometimes schedules change and I’ll need to reach out.”

“Just the shelter number,” I tell him. “I need to get a cell phone.”

“Good. Be careful going home. I’d just take you, but I can tell you’re independent,” he says.

The way Caleb says it is as if it tastes bad to him, which makes no sense. Orla seems to be just as independent.

“I will,” I say. “Night.”

I’m working tomorrow and memorized the route to walk here earlier today. Pushing open the back door of the bar, I begin the trek home. It’s thankfully not snowing, the world quiet and dark.

There are street lights out here, but occasionally, I’ll find one or two are burned out. Walking quickly, I’m doing really well until I feel someone watching me. I don’t know how to explain it, except that the hair on the back of my neck is rising and my heart rate is ramping up.

Beginning to breathe hard from the strain of anxiety, I look behind and around me, not seeing anyone. My instincts are always correct, I’m simply not seeing where this person is.

I firmly believe that the second I stop trusting myself, I’ll end up dead.

Pulling out the stun gun, I struggle not to run. Alphas are natural hunters, and if that’s who is following me, they’ll chase me down. I’ve already been there, done that thank you.

All too soon, the alley is in front of me for the shelter entrance, and my steps stutter to a stop as I plaster my back to the wall and look wildly around again. I know that the guards are gone for the night, I’m on my own. However, so are the people in the shelter as well.

I don’t want to expose them to whoever is following me. Dammit.

I’m beginning to hyperventilate as I whine in fear, and a man steps forward into the light cast by the streetlight. His body casts a long shadow as I press against the wall, his appearance not helping. His dreads are tied up away from his face, and he looks down as if wanting to look at me.

I asked for space, I didn’t think he’d begin stalking me through the city. My hand tightens around the weapon, my other arm wrapping around my waist as I sob.

“Why are you here?” I scream, tears streaming down my face. “You’ll follow me, but can’t face me?”

His head slowly raises until his hazel gaze meets mine. It’s difficult to see the shade they are, but I’ve seen them enough to memorize them.

“Two alphas were following you home,” he says, his words sounding like gunshots across the road. “I snapped their necks for the transgression. Just because I know you need space, and I want to give it to you, doesn’t mean I won’t protect you. I know it’s confusing. I’m trying to keep the others away, Adira. I swear.I won’t offend you with an apology, because words will never be enough. I also have no business asking you for anything, but please don’t let this break your soul, baby.”

“What soul?” I ask, feeling as if I’m holding myself together as I cry. “It’s been torn into shreds! All I feel is pain or numbness. I can’t feel happiness or smile. I feel like a fucking robot. Anything good about me is gone, and in its stead is this sad, pathetic omega who is a fucking victim!”

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