Page 32 of Knotty Escape
“Questionable at best, sir,” she murmurs as she kisses the mark she left on my neck. Groaning at the feel of her, she ruins my new plans of seduction when her stomach growls.
“Come on, Sweetheart. Wes made French toast. Let’s get out there before Harrison eats all the bacon.”
Chapter 14
Lila
“Okay, spill,” Wendy demands as she hands me a mug of hot coffee. I giggle as I take a seat on her couch, the one I’ve been using as a bed, and tuck my legs under me. It smells nice in here, like always. She keeps it clean, and the scent of fresh linen surrounds us.
I asked Wendy why she hides her scent once, but she dodged the question. I also asked if she wanted me to use scent blockers while with her, but she doesn’t seem to mind others’ scents. Only her own.
I smile at my best friend as she pulls her long brown hair over her shoulder and grins at me eagerly.
“Well, I met Harrison and River in college, and obviously Harrison was at the bar that night, and as you know, I went to his house for a few hours.” I blush as Wendy squeals, leaning in to hear the rest. “They were at the escape room when I arrived, and then my heat hit in the middle of one of the rooms.”
“Ooof, that's rough. I’m glad they were there for you. Interesting that it was Harrison’s pack, though.” Wendy muses, sipping her soda.
“Uh, about that… You remember when I said I felt like I was being followed?” I wince, hoping she doesn’t freak out about this next part. Her eyes narrow, but she nods, lifting one brow.
“Obviously,” she says, eyes narrowing, clearly connecting the dots in her head.
“River was definitely the culprit. He knows a lot of stuff about me that I never told him, and I figured it out in the escape room. But don’t freak out! It’s not as bad as it sounds,” I defend, glancing at her door where the guys wait in the hall for me to pass them my things.
“How, exactly, is that not as bad as it sounds?” Wendy asks, tilting her head in the way she does when she’s judging my life choices.
“Um. You’ve got a point. But he used his powers for good?” I wince again as she raises her brows at me, chuckling. “He knew things like my favorite color or drink. And that I like pistachio ice cream. Which all sounds a little suspicious, I guess, now that I’m saying it out loud.”
“What do your instincts tell you?” she asks, still looking skeptical, but she knows as well as I do that an omega’s instincts are a powerful thing. If River meant me harm, it would send my instincts into overdrive.
“That I can trust him. That he’s safe. That they all are,” I admit. Wendy watches me for a long time and then nods.
“Good.”
“They were so amazing, Wendy. They took care of me through my heat, and made me feel incredible,” I trail off, lifting my thumb to my teeth and nibbling the skin around my nail.
“It could be worse,” she shrugs. “He confessed, or at the least didn’t deny it when you caught him?” she asks, and I nod. “And he didn’t do anything terribly insane, and didn’t try to revoke your right to choose them… He didn’t try to prevent you from rejecting them?”
“No,” I shake my head, eyes wide. “Not at all. Like I said, they’re amazing. Which brings me to my next bit of news. They offered to let me stay with them.”
“Holy shit, Lila, seriously? For how long? Wow, that's intense,” Wendy gasps, looking like she’d rather jump off her balcony than move in with alphas. She’s very independent.
“I don’t know, I guess as long as I want?”
“How do you feel about all of this? Do you want to stay with them?”
“I think I do. I mean, I know it’s fast, but… Shit, am I being stupid? Fuck, is this a mistake?” I can’t help but panic, worried I’m fucking up again.
“What are your instincts telling you?” Wendy asks again gently, taking my hand in hers. “You said they’re telling you to trust them, so listen to them, Lila. Trust yourself. Can you do that?”
“I want to.”
“Then go for it. Plus, you can keep some of your stuff here just in case. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll be here like always. Just say the word, and I’ll be at their door with a baseball bat and ski mask,” Wendy says, wiggling her brows at me, making me giggle.
“So you don’t think I’m crazy for wanting to go for it, after everything with my ex?”
“Nah. It’s not like they could possibly be as shitty as Larry was,” she shrugs, getting to her feet. “But just in case.” I watch her for a second, jumping to my feet when I realize where she’s headed.
“Wendy?” I ask, eyes wide, as she tugs her apartment door open and stares up at my guys.
