Page 34 of Seen Knot Heard

Dominic’s Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, and his hand shifts in mine, long fingers sliding across my palm and shifting until he clasps my hand.

My breath catches, pulse quickening. Dominic’s touch feels so much different from Louie’s, who made my skin crawl, triggering fear and disgust. There’s still fear with Dominic, thememory of the hurt he caused, but also sparks of hope and yearning.

Just as slowly, he helps me rise from the car and catches my waist when I sway from lightheadedness. Holden steps up on my opposite side, his hands hovering over my casted arm, uncertain where to touch.

Dominic solves the problem by passing me into Holden’s hands while he closes my car door.

Holden’s arm slips around me. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m tired.” My head drops to his chest, and he starts to purr to comfort me. “Missed you.”

His purring increases, the vibrations flowing through me, and his lips brush the top of my head. “Missed you, too.”

“Okay, you two, enough cuddling.” A false brightness fills Dominic’s voice as he tucks the car keys into his pocket. “You can snuggle all you want once we’re done here.”

Right, the Omega Registration Center.

With a deep breath, I step away from my purring Alpha and run my hands over my hair. “Do I look okay?”

Holden bites his lip while Dominic grimaces.

A whine escapes me. “Is it that bad?”

“Here, taking this off might help.” Holden reaches for my uninjured hand and tries to remove my hospital bracelet, but the material refuses to rip. “What’s this thing made of?”

“Plastic.” Dominic reaches for the utility knife at his belt and slices off the blue band with ease. “There we go.”

I rub the red mark left on my wrist, the motion made awkward by my cast. Only one more step to my freedom.

In the past, guilt over what would happen to my mom held me back. After her complete indifference to what would happen to me when she handed me over to Louie… I can’t continue to clutch on to the hope that she loves me.

She made her bed. Let her lie in it.

With a deep breath, I straighten my spine. “Okay, I can do this.”

The automatic doors swish open as we step into the Omega Registration Center.

I’ve never been to one of these places. As we walk, I take in the sleek, modern lobby, the government insignias emblazoned on the white walls and the digital displays of Omega rights scrolling by in an endless loop.

Fingers trembling, I reach out to take Holden’s hand. His warm, steady presence beside me eases my anxiety. I inhale his sweet, comforting vanilla pheromones, letting them calm my frayed nerves.

Dominic strides ahead, his citrusy musk leaving a protective trail for us to follow.

As we approach the front desk, a fresh wave of anxiety crashes over me. What if Louie finds out I’m gone and tracks me here? What if they refuse to let me cancel the contract and send me back to him? Horrible scenarios flicker through my mind. I can almost smell Louie’s cloying, poisonous almond scent, feel his hands on me…

Holden squeezes my fingers, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts. He gives me a small, encouraging smile, hazel eyes filled with warmth behind his curly bangs. “It’s going to be okay. We’re right here with you.”

I take a shaky breath to slow my galloping pulse. Omegas have the right to cancel contracts, no questions asked. They won’t send me back to Louie.

Dominic glances over his shoulder, his chiseled face filled with fierce protectiveness. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”

I draw strength from my Alphas, square my shoulders, and step toward the counter, ready to claim my freedom as an Omega. I will never be a prisoner to Louie’s twisted desiresagain. This is my chance at a new life, and I’m seizing it with both hands, come what may.

As we approach, the receptionist raises her head from her computer, taking in my unkempt pink hair, oversized sweats, and trembling hands.

A bitter note of suspicion mars her crisp linen scent when she studies Holden and Dominic, who take up a protective stance on either side. “How may I help you?”

“I’d like—” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat before trying again. “I’m here to terminate my courtship.”

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