Page 146 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

“I told you to end it.” My voice rises. “After Finn, I told you to stop. All of it.”

“End it?” Father laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “You have some nerve, coming here asking questions after what you took from us.”

The words hit me like ice water, pushing back some of the alcohol clouding my brain. “What Itookfrom you?”

“Playing innocent?” Father stalks closer, his alpha scent becoming overwhelming. “The files you destroyed? The connections you severed? Years of work, gone in a single night.”

Memory flashes—breaking into Father’s study that night after the gala, desperate to find proof. But all I’d found were encrypted files, networks of shell companies. In my rage, I’d destroyed everything I could get my hands on.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The lie tastes bitter. “I came to ask,” I take a breath, “What do you know about a place called the Reform Academy? What do you know about Widow?”

Mother’s breath catches. Dad’s hand tightens on her shoulder.

“The Academy?” Father’s laugh is ugly. “You think we’d tell you anything? After you burned our legacy to the ground?”

“Your legacy?” The words burst out before I can stop them. “You have no legacy.”

Father snarls. “Yes. You made sure of that.” He motions to Dad to shut the door in my face as he tugs Mother toward him. I stop the oak with my boot.

“Tell me what you know. If there is any bit of a conscience left within you, tell me…or at least point me in the right direction.”

Dad’s eyes are cold. He shakes his head. “You never did understand the business, did you? Too busy playing hero to your precious omega.”

“Don’t talk about Finn.” My hands are shaking now.

“The omega that made you destroy everything?” Father sneers. “Tell me, does he know what you did? Does he know about Amaya? Does he know you’re not the white knight you pretend to be?”

The mention of that name makes something break inside me.

Amaya. My sister.

The omega who died because I made a choice. Her face swims before me—so similar to Mother’s, but with Father’s stubborn jaw. The last time I saw her alive, she was in the other vehicle. Rightbefore the accident that changed our lives forever. “I’m nothing like you?—”

“No?” Father’s voice is soft now, dangerous. “Then why are you here, asking about the Academy? Looking for more secrets to destroy?”

The realization hits me slowly—they’re not going to tell me. Even if they know, they won’t offer any assistance.

“This was a mistake.” I back away from the door. “I shouldn’t have come.”

“No,” Father agrees coldly. “You shouldn’t have. You’re not welcome here anymore, Ren. Whatever you’re looking for, whatever answers you think we have—they died the night you chose to betray us.They died the night you killed your sister.”

The world, what little color was left in it, goes gray.

I choke on something. My own tongue, as I almost lose my footing down the steps.

Mother makes a soft sound, like she wants to speak, but Father leads her away before she can. Only Dad remains, watching me with eyes that mirror my tortured soul.

“The Academy,” he says quietly. “Stay away from it, boy. Some questions are better left unasked.”

—

The memory fragments dissolve into the pounding of my head. Something cool touches my forehead—a cloth?—and a sweet scent reaches through the haze. Honey…

Mother?

No. Wrong. The scent is wrong. But in my fevered state, all I can see is that house, those eyes watching me with contempt. All I can feel is the rage and confusion and guilt…

My hand shoots out, finding a throat. Soft. Delicate. I squeeze, snarling, “You don’t get to judge me?—”

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