Page 115 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

“Before we even get to specific techniques,” I add, “you need to understand your center of gravity, how to stay grounded.”

For the next hour, Ren and I teach Hailey the basics—stance, balance, awareness. Hailey follows along, surprising both of us with everything she gets right.

“Good,” I say as she successfully maintains her stance while Ren applies gentle pressure to her shoulders. “Now try moving forward while keeping that same stability.”

She does, her movements slightly awkward but showing promise.

“The most important thing,” Ren explains as we move on to basic wrist escapes, “is awareness. Being conscious of your surroundings, recognizing potential threats before they become actual dangers.”

Hailey nods, her expression serious. “Like at the gala.”

A shadow crosses Ren’s face at the mention of the gala, but he pushes through it. “Exactly. Most predators follow patterns, test boundaries before they strike.”

We demonstrate various scenarios. Someone following too closely, someone blocking an exit, someone isolating her from a group.

“But what if I can’t escape?” Hailey asks, and the way her voice cracks almost makes me abandon the training session to hold her curled against me forever. “What if they’ve already got hold of me?”

Ren steps forward. “Then we move to physical techniques. Let me show you.” Then he freezes like a deer stuck in headlights. “Actually, let Stone show you.”

I don’t miss the moment where Hailey’s gaze catches his before she frowns slightly and looks away.

I demonstrate several basic holds—wrist grabs, arm locks, even a chokehold. Whenever Ren steps in, it looks like he’s barely even touching her. Probably just being cautious so he doesn’t leave a bruise. For each thing we demonstrate, he shows a corresponding escape technique, breaking it down into simple steps that Hailey can follow.

“Your size is an advantage in some ways,” he explains as she practices slipping from a front wrist grab. “Many attackers won’t expect much of a fight from smaller opponents, especially omegas. You can surprise them.”

Hailey absorbs this, her expression thoughtful as she works through the maneuver again. “So I’m using their expectations against them.”

“Exactly.” Ren offers a rare smile. “Now, let’s try something a bit more challenging.”

He demonstrates a rear bear hug, the kind of restrictive hold that would render most omegas helpless. “This is a common attack because it limits arm movement and uses the attacker’ssuperior size and strength. Now, try to escape using the technique we showed you.”

Hailey frowns. “Is it supposed to be this easy? You’re not actually touching me, Ren.”

Behind her, Ren squeezes his eyes shut for a second, jaw clenching, Adam’s apple bobbing. “Iamtouching you, sweetheart.”

Hailey pouts and it’s so cute I momentarily forget where we are and what we’re doing.

“No, you’re not. Not really, Ren.”

Ren squeezes his eyes shut again. “I don’t want to?—”

“Hurt me? Or…” Hailey’s voice gets smaller. “Is it that you don’t want to touch me at all?”

Across the mat, I freeze mid-stretch, a growl in my throat, brows diving as I glare at Ren.

“You’re allowed to touch her, you know,” Finn is glaring from his book as well. “She wants you to.”

Ren swallows hard and nods, arms tightening around Hailey.

Hailey takes a deep breath. “Okay, this feels more like it.”

She attempts the movement, but her small size makes the mechanics difficult.

“It’s not working,” she says, a hint of defeat making her voice crack again. Across the room, Jax’s brow dives, a low growl in his throat directed at Ren.

His fingers tap restlessly against his thigh—a telltale sign of the tension he’s been carrying since the gala. I’ve seen the way he watches Hailey now, like if he blinks, she’ll vanish. He’s been checking the security upgrades at the house when our omegas aren’t in the room, a silent apology etched in every overbearing precaution. He thinks Ren and I haven’t noticed, but I’ve seen the way his jaw clenches when Hailey or Finn leave his line of sight, the way his scent sours with guilt when Hailey flinches or Finn stiffens at sudden noises. Jax is still drowning in the weightof failures he couldn’t have prevented. I release a breath. That too, will take time.

“Maybe don’t hold her so tight,” he growls at Ren.

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