Page 6 of Knot Forever

I close my eyes. “I don’t belong with you. I left you.”

My air cuts off in a breathless choke as his grip tightens. “You don’t get to make that decision.”

Adam pushes my face aside, and I gasp as his teeth graze my neck. “Tomorrow night, you’re coming home, Nova. We have a whole party planned for you. A little punishment, of course, but you’ll take it beautifully.”

“Get off me,” I choke. “Don’t bid for me, Adam. I don’t want you.”

He laughs, hot breath on my neck. “Like you have a fucking choice. It’ll make it all the better when we break you down, Nova. You’ll be on your knees, begging for our knots. Julian is particularly excited for tomorrow. He has plans for you. All sorts of plans.”

I’m going to be sick. Abruptly, my arms shoot out and I shove as hard as I can. Adam doesn’t expect it, and I’m half his size, but he still takes a step back.

That's all I need.

Ducking under his arm, I sprint out of the alley, banging into people and apologizing as I dart down the street. Sparing a brief look over my shoulder, I catch the sun glinting off Adam’s blonde hair as he emerges, a satisfied look on his face. His eyes lock with mine, and I force my feet to move faster.

He won’t chase me. He’s done what he came to do, although how the fuck he knew I was here, I don’t know. He had to have been following me.

Fear seizes my chest as I glance around, looking for any signs of the rest of his pack. If Julian, his second, is here, I’m beyond fucked.

There’s no sign of him, but my fear doesn’t abate until I throw myself into a cab, digging hastily in my purse and throwing some cash at the driver as I yelp out my address. The burly beta rolls his eyes before he very obviously rolls his window down, releasing some of the cloying, terror-soaked scent that fills the car.

Taking deep breaths, I lean back against the seat, closing my eyes and swallowing down the fresh air. It’s nothing I didn’t already suspect. They’re going to bid. And this time, there’ll be no thin veneer of civility. The charming mask that lured me to them in the first place has been well and truly ripped away, replaced by sickening leers and heavy hands.

Take it like a good little omega. You like that, don’t you? Look at you whining, showing off to everyone.

Breathe. In through my nose, out through my mouth, pushing down the vivid, nightmarish memories until they’re safely locked away. The driver glances at me in his mirror, but he doesn’t say anything as he speeds through the city streets, clearly desperate to get the agitated omega out of his car as soon as possible.

Works for me. I won’t feel anywhere near safe until I’m in my room with the door locked behind me. Maybe not even then. But close enough.

What the hell am I going to do?

My breathing doesn’t truly slow until I burst through our front door. Johnson, our butler, gives me a disapproving sniff as I hare past him and up the stairs, not stopping until I’m back in my bedroom.

Even then, there’s no escape.

“Nova.” My mother rises, raising one perfect brow as she scans me up and down. “Where have you been?”

I swallow down my snarky response. “I went for coffee with Melia.”

“I see.” Her tone is caustic, but she stops short of voicing her critical thoughts. Melia’s pack may not have the status she looks for, but her family does. “We need to leave now, or we’re going to be late.”

My hand clenches at my side. “Late for what?”

Don’t say it, I plead silently.Please don’t say it.

She frowns. “The beauticians, of course. We have some work to do before tomorrow.”

I can’t quite stifle my groan. Looks like I’m not getting out of that waxing after all.

But I follow her silently, back out of the house and slipping into the car as Johnson holds the door. And as we pull away, my thoughts are whirling with half-baked plans and possibilities.

Because there’s no way in hell I’m getting up on that stage tomorrow night if I can possibly help it.

Chapter four – Marcus

I hate these things.

Staring out of the window at the bright lights of the city moving around us in the slow snail of traffic crawling up the street, I tap my fingers restlessly on the arm of my seat.

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