Page 163 of Tangled in Knots

Apparently, he works with Aisling to help staff the makeshift clinic the Omega’s Haven has. He said I have a concussion, sprained right wrist, as well as a very bruised arm. Moving too much makes me dizzy and nauseous, though I was able to keep down the protein shake Duncan brought me.

Surprisingly, he also was able to pull the recipe for it from Mr. Lars, the coffee shop owner, so I can have more while I heal. I’m getting really tired of constantly being in a state of recuperation.

“I don’t think it is,” Duncan says, leaning against the bathroom door. “Cian and his driver just got here, so you don’t have time to change either way.”

Growling under my breath, I can’t even nod, because my head hurts too much. I’m wearing high heels, a leather skirt with a high slit to show off my new knife, and a lavender sweater. It’s a mix of dangerous and soft, a smart choice if I have to say for the audience I’m about to face.

“Fine,” I mutter, turning too quickly and catching my weight on the sink with a wince. “My head and everything else hurts.”

I’m a fucking mess. My face is bruised, I have a giant bump on my forehead, and I’m really dizzy. I’m wearing a wrist splint and my arm is in a sling.

Makeup is a complete lost cause, so I didn’t even bother. I wish I was in bed instead of doing this bullshit.

“Will you let me fix your head?” Morris asks, appearing next to Duncan, showing me a bottle of something.

“What is that?” I ask. “I feel really whiny, and I hate it.”

“You are adorable, and you’ll figure it out the way you always do,” Duncan says, plucking the bottle out of Morris’ fingers. “It’s a CBD cream, Short Stuff. It’ll help with the head pain.”

“Can we use it on my wrist too?” I ask, pushing off the sink to walk closer to them. “It’s throbbing a bit.”

“Yes,” Morris says. He takes the bottle back and puts a small amount of the cream on his fingers before applying it where it’s needed. Slowly, I can feel the blessed numbness setting in.

“Thank you,” I murmur. “That’s nice.”

“It’s extra strength,” he says. There’s a knock on the door, and he steps away, so I can walk out of the bathroom. “Go kick some ass, baby.”

“I’m kind of irritated I’m not allowed to come either,” Duncan grumbles as he walks me out. “It’s only senior family members who are invited to this discussion. My father may be there, though. I have no idea, because he’s not returning my calls right now.”

“He’s miffed we’d agree to pay for an omega when he’s been trying to get us packed up for a couple of years,” Callum mutters. “This was supposed to also help get him off our back.”

“If he’s there, I’ll set him straight,” I promise, smirking at the terrified looks they give me. “I’ll be nice.”

“Mmhmm,” Duncan says as Jed opens the door to the apartment. Evan stands there appearing amused until he sees me.

“Holy shit,” he whispers.

“I’m mostly fine,” I mutter. “Don’t be nice to me right now, please. I don’t want to cry, since I feel awful. I just want to sleep for at least a week.”

“I think you’d deserve it,” Evan says. “You need a coat, Adira.”

A new coat is placed on my shoulders, left open because of my arm. Jed wraps a scarf around my neck, and then pushes a button inside of my coat. My eyes widen in surprise as it begins to warm up.

“It’ll be cold for a while yet, we may as well make sure you’re as warm as we can manage,” Jed murmurs. “The coat has warming packs throughout it, which will help you regulate your temperature, even with your arm in a sling.”

“I love it, but it’s not helping me not cry,” I whisper with a small smile. Jed gives me a lopsided grin as he gently wipes them away with a shrug.

“We couldn’t possibly be mean to you, baby. Go be a good little omega and kick some ass,” Jed says softly.

Moving out of my way, he watches as I walk out of the apartment.

“There’s ice on the steps,” Evan says, offering his arm. The alphas behind me don’t even growl too loudly, making me incredibly proud of them as I leave.

“I hate this weather,” I tell him as we walk out of the building and carefully down the steps.

“My mother swears that spring is around the corner,” he teases me as he motions toward the SUV with darkened windows. “We’re taking one of the bulletproof glass vehicles tonight.”

“Wonderful,” I deadpan, asking myself if I should just become a preschool teacher and call it a day. I should see if it’s on one of Emilia’s approved options for work. Apparently there’s an entire list on the ROWS’ website.

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