Page 32 of Knot So Broken

For the first time in my life, I tell my father no. It feels strange saying that word to him without the threat of being hit. But it also feels good to actually stand up for myself for once. His reaction to my defiance is immediate.

His face reddens beet-red as he stares me down, like his glare alone will be enough to make me obey him.

Those days are done.

I’m done being his punching bag.

I’m done allowing him to hurt me.

Having him, and any other man that deems so, take my power from me. I deserve to be happy. I deserve to have a life outside of years of abuse and neglect at his hands. I want what Theo, Ledger and Jax are offering me.

I don’t know where my father gets off thinking that he can sell me to some pack. While my scent match Alphas are no more than that to me too, I would much rather throw all of my eggs in that basket over whatever kind of life would be destined for me if I was to follow my father and his men right now.

No doubt it would just involve more pain and heartbreak. I don’t want to know what one more day of experiencing that would inevitably do to me.

Especially not now that I know what awaits me in the arms of my true Alphas. Finally I've had a taste of sweet freedom.

I’ve been in the arms reach of the person that I can become. It feels like an entire world of possibilities has opened up for me.

I already know that if I was to just ask, Theo would ensure that I get it. He's made that abundantly clear in the few hours we have been together.

I watch as anger begins to bubble inside my father the longer we stand in this face off. I know that he will refuse to back down.

He wants my submission.

It seems weird that he would need that from me when he is just a Beta. “Kennedy,” he attempts a growl but it sounds pitiful through his gritted teeth, “come with me now. You have fiances at home you are to be delivered to. Stop acting like a spoiled brat and come with me now.”

A deep rumbling laughter comes from behind us. I turn to find Ledger smiling as both him and Jax walk towards us. Jax looks right at me first, assessing me from head to toe to make sure I am unharmed before looking back at my father and his men. Once Ledger gets to Theo and I, he finally turns his head to look at me. “Are you okay, Little Omega?”

His voice sounds sincere but his body language still screams violence. That if one of the men across from us speaks or moves in a way he doesn’t like, he will use the gun I notice in his grip without hesitation.

I nod, and mutter a quiet, “Yes”.

He looks at me for a moment longer before acknowledging my father. “Kennedy won’t be going anywhere with you. Not now, not ever. I suggest you and your band of clowns go back to where you belong. Kennedy is ours. Touch her and you die.” Ledger’s words send a shiver through my system. His words give no room for mucking around especially laced with a hint of Alpha bark. He means what he says. That gentle, kind Alpha that asked me to show him to our next class is gone. In its place is a cold, hard killer that would undoubtedly protect what is his.

Right now, that thing is me.

I watch as my father tries to fight off the command. Betas aren’t insusceptible to the demands either.

My fathers men all back down without having to be told twice. They scurry back off into the shadows with their tails in between their legs.

I watch as Calvin Hayes, the man I have called father for years stares down the four of us. Eventually, he takes a simple step back and I know that we have won. “This isn’t over,” he says, his voice shaky.

Jax chuckles, “Run along, old man.”

Calvin looks me directly in the eyes. The look alone he gives me lets me know that this isn’t it. But unlike the Omega I was this morning, next time I won’t be going down without a fight.

Chapter Eleven

Ifeel like I am unable to sit still the entire drive back to the Duran manor. Even though I initially cowered in the face of my father, I feel like Theo leant me some of that strength of his to be brave.

It’s probably foolish of me to think that I am able to go up against Calvin again and come out on the winning side.

I’d hate to think that I would just cower the next time. .

“Can you guys teach me how to fight?” I blurt into the silent car. The guys hadn’t uttered a single word since ushering me back into the SUV. Their main objective was to get me out of there in one piece.

Jax startles beside me. He raises an eyebrow, assessing me as I look back at him in excitement.

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