Page 72 of Knot my Alphas

I shake my head.

“Do you want me to come with you?” she asks.

“No, I’m not hungry.”

Iris is doing her best to hide her emotions from me but I can sense something is wrong. Once again, I hate that I’ve been away from her. She must still be struggling from the traumatic episode of last week.

I breathe in deeply, trying to catch a whiff of her natural perfume.

Her scent is neutral. She must’ve used a de-scenter before coming out here for a jog.

I’m internally glad she’s taken the precaution to do so. Despite knowing our men won’t do anything to hurt her, it’s still sensible to stay protected.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Of course,” she says with a forced chuckle.

I shake my head. “You can tell me what’s bothering you. Even if I fail to help you, I’m willing to listen.”

“Nothing is bothering me,” she says. “I’m fine.” Despite her insistence, I can see her emotions coming to the surface. She’s no longer able to hold onto that fake smile. Anger is slowly creeping into her voice and expression.

“You’re still scared,” I say in a gentle voice. “You feel vulnerable and that makes you angry.”

“Everything makes me angry,” she says in a low, pain-filled voice. “Callahan killed my parents. He hurt so many people, Damon included. I hate I can’t do anything to punish him.”

“Wait, what? Callahan killed David and his wife? Who told you about it?”

She shakes her head as a tear seeps down her cheek. “I’m talking about my real parents,” she says, clenching her fists tightly. “Callahan used the Black Widow to attack their home and killed them both.”

The memory of the painting I’d seen in Callahan’s manor rises in my mind. “So, he hadn’t lied about them being your parents,” I say slowly.

“No.” Rage burns in her eyes as she kicks out at the tree trunk. “He said he loved my mother but he killed her and her mate. Julian and I found out the truth a couple of days ago. Callahan’s the reason I’ve lost everything in my life,” she shouts, stomping her foot. “Do you know I’ve still got a real family? I have aunts and uncles, but none of them know I exist!”

Tears of rage flow down her cheeks as she stomps and screams.

“Iris, stop,” I say, watching her break down. “Stop or you’ll hurt yourself.”

“I hate him!” she screams, kicking at a nearby tree trunk. “There’s nothing I can do to stop him. He’s probably laughing at me right now.”

“Iris, please. Calm down.”

She doesn’t listen and continues kicking at the tree.

The mate bond between us has grown so strong and palpable, I can acutely feel her anguish and frustration. Tears sting my eyes even though it’s not my own pain that I’m experiencing.

Throwing my arms around her, I pull her away from the tree.

“Let go of me!” she shouts, kicking out. “Put me down, Raiden!”

“Calm down, first.”

“Just let go!”

“I will but you have to calm down, first.”

She thrashes and struggles against me. Her frustration spikes, making me feel like an asshole for holding her back but I have to stay in control. I can’t let her emotions drive her into hurting herself.

She suddenly falls quiet and goes limp in my arms.

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