Page 20 of A Knotty Road Trip

“Are you laughing at me?” I whine, wishing I could bury my face somewhere.

“You're very refreshing, Belle. I'm kinda glad we bumped into each other so to speak.”

“I bumped into Beckett. Who I don't think likes me much. I appreciate you letting me tag along tonight, and I'd like to pay for my meal. I don't want you to think that I'm a gold digger or something. Not that we are dating or anything like that. Shit. I need sleep. My babbling is so much worse when I'm tired.”

“It’s fine. You don’t have to pay me back. The meal is complimentary anyway and I happen to find your babbling cute. Like I said, it's refreshing.”

The guys stop walking, and the man in the red coat unlocks a door, moving aside for us to enter. I gasp and it’s not in a wow way. This place is like the seventies threw up.

There is even a legit Twister room: a space filled with colored dots on the walls and floor.

“Umm, I guess if I wasn’t here to see this, I would never believe it,” I mutter, and Tate laughs. Setting me down next to an old fashioned mini bar, I glance around. There are three doors.

“Can I be totally rude and hog the shower? I swear I’m not the type of omega to take long. I’d just like to wash off that creeper’s touch. I feel gross,” I say, voice starting out strong, then ending in a whisper.

I still can’t believe my father hired someone to essentially stalk me.

“Of course. Also pick which room is yours,” Angel says with a grin, and I smile. Beck takes a seat on the bright blue coach and pulls out a tablet, powering it on.

“Are you seriously working, baby?” Tate says, and I know my eyes widen at the term of endearment. Don’t get me wrong, Iknow that alphas have relationships with other alphas, but it’s rare.

“My best friend, Stetson is gay too,” I blurt out, then smack myself in the face. “Fuck, I am so sorry. That was rude. I’m just going to go drown myself in the shower.” Turning, I run toward the door in the middle, praying it’s the bathroom.

When I turn the handle and see it is, I sigh. The guys burst out in laughter, and I quickly enter, then slam the door shut behind me. Turning, I bang my forehead against the wood a few times, internally berating myself.

My phone buzzes, and I groan. I know exactly who it is, and I’m not ready to talk to him, but if I don’t answer he may send his goon here. I don’t want to cause Pack Baron any more problems.

Sliding my finger across the screen, I answer.

“Hello.”

“Don’t you ‘Hello’ me, you little bitch. Did you think you could just run around shoving your cunt in alpha’s faces, and I wouldn’t find out?”

“Father, no, it’s not like that. These men…”

“Alphas. They only want one thing from you, you stupid ignorant girl. Now, listen to me and pay fucking attention. You are going to leave that hotel, bail Leon out of jail, then get a rental and start driving. You have four days, Belle!”

He hangs up on me, and I bite my lip to hide my sobs. He’s more than just angry. I can tell from his tone he’s livid.

Taking a few deep breaths, I place my phone on the counter, shed my clothes, then toss my gross socks and panties in the trash can, before turning on the shower and stepping inside. For the hotel being retro, the bathroom is actually quite modern.

Including a rainfall showerhead and shower jets on both sides of the stall. The warm water washes away the tears I allow to fall as I lean my back against the cool tiled wall. I am so sick of my father trying to control me.

I have always been the perfect little omega for him. Attending his bullshit banquets, taking etiquette classes so I knew how to behave. Even putting up with my evil sister who has always been cruel to me.

I’m even attending Knottingshire Academy in Connecticut. A place where omegas go when their families don’t want them around. Where they learn an education in a safe environment. I never had a different choice.

I know what my life is meant to be. Eventually I will be married off like a broodmare to an alpha who needs babies. My sister’s lucky she’s a beta and gets to live any life she chooses. She’s my father’s pride and joy.

Even our mother can tolerate her longer than me. When I was younger I never got to go out for lunches and shopping trips. I was kept home with a tutor for most of my young life. I was to be seen and not heard.

Always an embarrassment. Sighing, I grab some of the complimentary soaps and shampoos, then quickly wash my hair. The hot water starts to knead some of the tension out of my body and as my hands trail my breasts and my stomach, my core starts to slick.

I’ve been turned on since the moment Angel kissed me, and it’s embarrassing. My heat isn't due for another week or so. I should be back at the Academy before anything happens.

I try to avoid showing any kind of weakness around my father. Not that he ever cared. He would send a maid in to drug me. Keep me out of sight. If I had to guess I would think being an omega is something bad in his eyes.

It’s natural, and I hope to one day find a mate or a pack that will show me love and care for me. Never treat me wrong for having to be needy every few months. But more than likely that won’t happen.

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