Page 80 of Knot Your Karma
“I didn’t steal anything, Blake.” My voice carries new strength. “I took something that represented the value you destroyed when you rated my sexual performance on spreadsheets.”
Shocked silence through the phone.
Reed makes a sound of fierce approval. Declan’s scent spikes with pride so intense it makes my eyes water. Adrian’s storm-gray eyes meet mine in the mirror with reverence and possession that makes heat pool low in my belly.
“That’s right,” I continue, watching my pack’s expressions shift from protective fury to fierce pride. “I know about your performance metrics. I know about the multiple omegas you were stringing along simultaneously while making each of us believe we were special.”
“Karma, you’re being dramatic?—”
“I’m being honest. For the first time in our entire relationship, I’m telling you exactly what I think instead of managing your ego.” Months of suppressed anger suddenly find their way to my mouth, which is probably going to be a problem but feels incredible right now. “You used me, Blake. You made me believe I was too needy, too high-maintenance, too much work for anyone to love.”
“Fucking right,” Reed mutters, ocean breeze spiking with protective satisfaction.
“You’re overreacting?—”
“I’m reacting appropriately to systematic emotional abuse.” The words come out clear and strong. Declan reaches back and squeezes my hand, grounding touch that reminds me I’m not alone anymore. “And I’m done letting you define my worth.”
“Listen, whatever game you think you’re playing with my brother?—”
“I’m not playing games. I found a pack who actually values me instead of rating me. I found people who think wanting commitment makes me worth keeping, not high-maintenance.” My voice gets stronger with each word, supported by the protective energy filling the car. “I found what I was looking for when I thought I was looking for you.”
My voice cracks slightly, months of suppressed truthfinally breaking free. “I spent eight months thinking there was something wrong with me because I wanted you to be proud of me instead of rating me. But I was never the problem, Blake.” My pack’s protective energy wraps around me like armor. “You were.”
He starts to respond—more manipulation, more attempts to make me doubt myself—but I don’t need to hear it anymore.
I hang up.
For the first time in months, I end a conversation with Blake Mitchell on my terms.
Immediately, I block his number with hands that shake only slightly from adrenaline.
The car falls silent except for engine noise and distant Boston traffic. My pack processes what just happened—me standing up to Blake, refusing his manipulation, hanging up instead of enduring his verbal abuse.
“Holy shit,” I whisper, staring at the blocked contact confirmation. “I can’t believe I did that.”
The adrenaline crash hits like a tidal wave, making my hands shake and my chest tight with leftover anxiety. “Oh god, he’s probably calling Declan right now. He’s probably furious. What if he?—”
“Hey.” Declan’s voice cuts through my spiral. “Breathe, sweetheart. You did nothing wrong.”
“But what if he tries to turn you against me? What if he convinces you that I’m just?—”
“Not happening,” Adrian says firmly, signaling Declan to pull over to the shoulder so we can address pack needs properly. Hazards clicking on, traffic rushing past us as they prioritize pack over destination. “Blake’s opinion stopped mattering the moment we chose you.”
Reed immediately wraps his arms around me from beside me, ocean breeze mixing with protective comfort. “You wereincredible back there. Absolutely fucking incredible. But you’re allowed to fall apart a little now.”
“I don’t want to fall apart,” I hiccup against his shoulder, pressing my face into the warm scent of ocean and safety. “I want to be strong enough to handle Blake without breaking down.”
“Strength isn’t avoiding the breakdown,” Declan says, reaching back to stroke my hair with gentle fingers. “Strength is having people who’ll hold you together while you process.”
“I couldn’t have done that alone,” I whisper, still pressed against Reed’s chest while Declan’s hand combs through my hair and Adrian’s protective energy fills the car. “Six months ago, Blake’s call would have destroyed me for weeks. But with you three...”
“You found your voice because you knew you were safe,” Reed murmurs against my temple. “That’s what pack does—makes you brave enough to be yourself.”
“He called me needy and clingy. Just like he used to. Like wanting basic relationship honesty was some kind of character flaw.”
“Wanting honesty isn’t a character flaw,” Adrian says, his voice carrying controlled fury that has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Blake. “Rating your partner’s sexual performance on spreadsheets is a character flaw.”
“He made you apologize for having needs,” Declan adds. “That’s not love, Karma. That’s control.”
