Page 17 of Knot Unwanted: Part Two

We’re not just going to rescue Hailey tonight.

We’re going to war.

Chapter 4

Hailey

The blindfold scratches against my eyelids, rough fabric digging into the tender skin where my tears have dried.

Not again. Not again. Not?—

The van hits a pothole, jolting me sideways. A hairy arm brushes against mine, the beta guard’s scent—sweat and cheap cologne—flooding my nose. I shrink away, but there’s nowhere to go. The ties around my wrists bite deeper with every movement, the plastic zip-cuffs rubbing my skin raw.

Just like before.

The thought slams into me like a fist. Just like before. Blindfolded. Restrained. The same suffocating fear clotting my throat.

Only this time, there’s no escape.

Finn’s blood flashes behind my closed eyelids. That terriblecrackas the masked alpha’s fist connected with his temple. The way his body folded like a puppet with cut strings.

My fault.

The words circle like vultures in my skull.My fault. My fault. My fault.

If I hadn’t panicked at the gala?—

If I’d kept my mouth shut when I recognized Veyra’s voice?—

If I’d just controlled my reaction and not freaked out, I?—

“Don’t bother screaming,” the beta mutters. His knee knocks against mine as the van takes another turn. “No way you’re leaving our sight this time.”

A whimper escapes before I can choke it back.

This time.

Because last time, there’d been chaos. Last time, I’d been lucky.

This time, there’s only the endless rumble of tires on asphalt, every mile taking me farther from?—

Finn’s unconscious body on the pavement.

They’ll blame me. Of course they will. Stone, Jax, Ren…

The van accelerates, pressing me back against the seat. My stomach lurches. Not from motion sickness, but from the realization settling like lead in my gut:

Widow won.

She’s even more powerful than I thought. Going against her would be like committing suicide. Stone, Ren, and Jax…they won’t come for me. I’m all alone.

Again.

“Finn won’t blame me,” a small voice whispers. Then the zip-cuffs cut deeper, and the thought drowns in fear.

A shudder wracks my body.

The beta chuckles. “Scared, omega? You should be.” His fingers close around my chin, forcing my head up. “Seems you weren’t ready for your new master after all. Widow’s been waiting a long time to finish your training.”

---