Page 25 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

He inhales sharply at the title. His scent darkens with what might be frustration, though he keeps his tone gentle. “You were running through the woods at night. Where were you trying to go?”

He’s smart. He’s asking direct questions now. I have to be careful.

My hands clench in my lap. “Anywhere, Alpha. Away.”

“Away from what?”

“The Academy, Alpha.” The words come out barely above a whisper. What if he already knows the Academy and brings me right back there? I’ve never scented him before. Trust me, I’d remember. His pine scent is distinctive. But that doesn’t mean that he’s not affiliated with the institution.

One time, I’d heard Widow boasting about the sheer number of alphas they have signing up for their services. But even if this alpha knows about the Academy, it doesn’t matter. It’s clear I tried to run away. I can’t lie. He would see right through me.

His footsteps shift, a restless movement quickly stilled. “What academy?”

“The Reform Academy, Alpha.”

A long pause. His scent spikes with something sharp that makes me want to curl smaller. “And what exactly is the Reform Academy?”

What? He doesn’t know? Is this another trick? Another test?

My voice comes out practiced and hollow. “Where omegas learn their proper place, Alpha.”

A low sound rumbles from his chest—not quite a growl, but something that makes my muscles lock with tension. He moves away suddenly, his footsteps harsh against the wooden floor. When he speaks again, his voice is tight with controlled emotion.

“How long were you there?”

How long? That’s tricky. I only know because when I first arrived there, I’d only been fifteen. “S-six years, Alpha.”

The silence that follows feels heavy, charged with his agitation. I can hear him breathing—heavy, measured breaths that don’t quite mask the anger in his scent. I’ve said something wrong, but I don’t know what. My shoulders hunch further.

“And before that?” His voice is still carefully controlled. “Where were you before the…Academy?”

The question makes my throat constrict. “Home, Alpha. With my parents.”

“Until?”

“Until I revealed, Alpha.” My fingers twist together in my lap. His resulting growl makes my anxiety spike. My answers aren’t sufficient. I have to fix this, and fast. “Th-they came for me shortly after I revealed. It’s protocol for families that can’t afford the Omega Center and for omegas that are…”

Saying that it’s for omegas that are unwanted makes shame fill my soul. But he should already know that. It’s just how it is. That’s what Ma had said just before they’d handed her the five thousand bucks.

Another sharp spike in his scent, another controlled breath. “They? Who are ‘they’?”

I blink at the floor, his question actually rendering me speechless. Because…I don’t know whotheyare. I’ve never…they’re simply the alphas and betas who run the Academy. People whose faces I’ve never known.

“The alphas and betas who run the academy, Alpha.” Anxiety threatens to overwhelm me because I know he won’t be happy with that answer. And as usual, that core part of me wants to be good. Wants to please him. “Th-they ensure all omegas receive proper training.”

He moves again, pacing. The floorboards creak under his weight. Each heavy step makes me flinch, though he stays on the far side of the room.

“And yesterday?” he finally asks. “How did you end up in these woods?”

I swallow hard. This is where the punishment will come. “I…I ran, Alpha. During transport. I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t.” The word comes out harsh, making me cringe. His scent immediately shifts to something softer, regretful. “Don’t apologize for running. Please.”

But Ishouldapologize. Disobedience must be acknowledged. Must be punished. The confusion makes my eyes burn.

“Transport to where?” he asks after another long pause.

“M-m-my Master.” Tears swell in my eyes. I want to fall to my knees and ask him not to take me there now that he knows, but he ordered me to sit. “I…I completed my training.”

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