Page 91 of Knot For Keeps

Her eyes were rimmed red, her hair piled haphazardly on top of her head.

“Lavender!” she cried, making her way over to my bedside. “I came as soon as I heard you were back. Are you okay?” She sat in the chair next to my bed, gently gripping one of my hands. “The doctor said you were pretty hurt, but are you making a full recovery? Who took you?” Sage asked, eyes wide. “Callan and the rest of Pack Rivers are at your disposal.”

I looked over at Donovan. Sage understood my meaning immediately. Glancing over at him she cleared her throat. “Would you mind terribly letting us girls talk alone, just for a bit? You can wait outside.”

“I’m not sure I’m allowed.” Donovan frowned.

“I would much rather just talk with a fellow omega…” I said, peering down. Donovan got the message, stuttering that he would simply wait outside to let us have our peace and quiet.

“Okay, now he’s gone, tell me.”

“I was kidnapped by a pack, but then I fell in love with them…” The whole tale spilled out of me as I spoke with her. Sage understood me. She had an unconventional relationship with her pack as well, and she had also been kidnapped by an alpha intent on trafficking her several months prior. Looking at her now though, it was hard to believe, she looked so happy, radiant even.

“And there is no way the Haven would consider letting them court you, officially?”

I grimaced. “They’re suspected criminals, linked to drug smuggling and human trafficking. They would shoot them if they came within a mile of this place.”

“I’m so sorry—why on earth did they bring you back? If you were so close? You said they admitted they loved you?”

“They must have found Juniper,” I said, heart sinking in realisation. “If they found Juniper—maybe they chose her?” Tears formed in the corners of my eyes. They abandoned me the moment they had her back, cutting me off from them for good.

Large, ugly sobs burst from my chest, and I practically wailed in distress. Sage sat on the edge of the bed, pulling me in for a hug and holding me as I let my tears flow freely.

* * *

Two weeks later I had been given a clean bill of health by the doctors, but nothing felt right. My days were spent holed up in my nest staring vacantly at my tablet. I didn’t fully want to admit to myself that I was waiting for Archer to call me like he used to.

I didn’t know what day it was, but I had a packed day of moping, crying and maybe a good session of self pity.

Fawn had other ideas.

“Get up,” she said, pulling the blankets off me. Why was she so awake? Couldn't she just leave me to wallow?

“I’ve got a meeting, and I want you to join me.” She folded the blanket neatly before returning to me, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me into a sitting position. Next to me she looked even more polished and proper than usual in her floral blouse and slacks.

“No, I don’t want to,” I grumbled.

“For me?” Fawn asked. “I don’t really want to do it solo, I could use a friend.”

Normally I would have called bullshit on that. Fawn could deal with packs with her eyes closed, but I was too tired to fight her so I let her shove me into the shower. I didn’t wash my hair, and when I turned off the shower Fawn shouted from the hallway. “Get your pert ass back in there and wash your hair or I swear to god I will get a hose and do it myself, don’t test me Lavender!”

“How can you possibly know I’ve not washed my hair?” I shouted back, gaping at the door, wearing only a towel.

“It takes you ages to wash that mass of fluff on your head. Also do a damn hair mask. It'll make you feel better.

“Fine!” I glared at the door before shucking the towel and getting back in the shower.

Once out of the shower I threw on the first clothes Fawn passed me, not even paying attention to them.

“You're an ass,” I grumbled as I put on a pair of leggings.

“I’m your friend,” Fawn said as she leaned daintily against the vanity. “Come on, I missed you. I gave you a few days to mope, but this has to stop. Plus the Keepers are going to get extra worried soon if you don’t at least make an effort.”

I wanted to snarl at her but she was right, the Keepers had started hovering, and their incessant questions were getting irritating. With a sigh I threw my hair up—there was no way I could get a brush through it.

“Come on, let’s go see your fanboys,” I sighed.

“Thank you.” Fawn smiled sweetly.

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