Page 50 of A Knotty Road Trip

“Would it matter? I thought you were different, but my father bought your loyalty too. He always wins, so why bother fighting?”

I try to walk away with my head held high, but my stomach cramps, and I curl into myself. Shit. I should have a few more days!

“Bella, what’s wrong?” I glare at him, and he takes a step away from me.

Taking a deep breath, I stand again and slowly limp to the kitchen. The moment I walk into the room, I know that I’m not going to walk out of here on my own.

“Well look, the prodigal whore has returned,” my father growls, and my stomach flips. I feel dizzy, and my stomach hurts. Sweat beads on my temples and hairline, and I know that my heat is coming sooner than it should.

“You wanted to see me, father,” I say, trying to hide my pain, but he’s always been observant.

He looks at Kella and gives her a wink as she preens, then faces me again. His expression changed to a sneer.

“Sit, we have some things to discuss before tomorrow’s events.” I use the counter for support, choosing to sit on the bench away from the table. My father huffs, but allows it.

I need to clench my fists together to hide my whimpers. “Are you listening to me,” my father roars, and I jump, wincing.

“Sorry, my stomach and ribs hurt. But you have my full attention now, father.”

His nostrils flare, and he stomps over toward me, gripping my throat and pulling me to my feet. I whimper, and he gives me his signature evil grin.

“I love seeing you in pain, daughter. I can’t wait to destroy you. To watch them break you, again and again. How dare you try to defy me. Whoring around with those alphas. Waving your cunt in their faces like the omega slut you are. I bet you slicked for them real nice, didn’t you, Belle,” he groans, and my stomach flips again.

“Please stop,” I whisper and he sighs, letting me go. Turning, I take a breath, thankful this is over, but I wished too soon. Spinning around he backhands me across the face hard. I see stars and my cheek burns.

My lip stings, and I know he just cut me with his ring that he never takes off. I once had it imprinted in my spine as he punched me repeatedly in the back, threatening to paralyze me. All for asking for a new coat.

“Killen, remember we need her in one piece for tomorrow,” my mother warns, and my father grunts, backing away from me as I clutch my cheek with my hand. Tears run down my cheeks, the salty liquid stinging my lip more.

“Anka,” my father shouts to my maid.

“Yes, Sir,” she answers submissively, and I close my eyes so they won’t see me roll them. Anka is an omega and has been my dad’s plaything for years. My mother pretends not to care as she has a harem of alphas at her disposal: my father's trusted guards. Paid in blood money, and my mother’s pussy.

“Get this filth out of my sight. Make sure her face is perfect for the ceremony.”

“Yes, Alpha,” she purrs, and I internally gag. I don’t want to be hit again.

I need to get out of here. I need to run away. Escape somehow. Because the fact of the matter is I’m about to be sold, and I’m in the early stages of my heat.

I thought the alpha’s betraying me was the most terrible thing to happen this month. I should have known things can always get worse.

TATE

After going home and getting some much needed rest in our own beds, I woke up alone. Beck is gone, and I can’t blame him. We don’t know how today is going to go, and the fact that he can’t come with me… it doesn’t sit right.

Beck is my mate. My best friend and the love of my life. He should be by my side as I meet my potential bride. She will be our omega. The one to bear our children. I don’t have to love her, but I will treat her with kindness and respect.

She is as much a victim as I am. Maybe Angel will fall in love with her and make her happy. Leaving my room, I fix my tie and walk down the hall. We bought this place a few years after Knotty Trip hit it big.

It’s a seven bedroom estate with high ceilings and a double staircase. We have a music room and enough space to host a ball if we wanted to. The kitchen is my favorite part, and maybe the backyard.

I enjoy the outdoor kitchen and pool when we get a break. But the main reason we bought this place was for the privacy and space for kids. We want a bunch, but I thought we would start in a few more years.

Sighing, I enter the living room expecting Angel to be there, but he isn’t. Grabbing my phone, I call him, but he doesn’t pick up. Instead he texts me.

Angel:I am out shopping with Beck. We will need to make a nest for Belle.

Ugh.I groan and rub my eyes. I don’t know if Belle is our omega. I don’t even know if she’s my scent match like Beck. What if this new omega is mine, and we end up with two omegas in the future.

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