Page 69 of Her Knotty Alphas

Shit. Did that just…turn me on?

"I've always wanted at least three kids," I say breathlessly. "But I had given up hope after being rejected so many times."

Austin's expression turns determined. "Never again, darlin'. You're ours."

My mouth goes dry. "I know, alpha."

He lets out a low chuckle. "Oh, man. I cannot wait to see Enzo's face when he finds out."

The thought sends a thrill through me, and I think Austin might be onto something.

My phone buzzing on the counter next to me draws my attention, and Austin hands it to me, letting me look at the screen. My brow furrows. "It's Brody. I'll put it on speaker." I tap the button to answer the phone. "Hey Brody."

"Hannah. You have a minute?" Brody's voice sounds a little less tightly wound than it did yesterday, but still stressed.

"Yeah, I have you on speaker, one of my alphas is here too."

"It's nice to sorta meet you. I'm Austin." Austin drawls, his hand tightening in mine.

"Great. I'm glad to sorta meet you too." Brody lets out a little chuckle. "So, Hannah, the prosecution wants to schedule a mediation meeting before it goes to court to see if you can settle. I've told them you won't be settling for anything, but the judge is insisting. Can you make it to the Herman & Sons law office tomorrow at ten in the morning?"

Biting my lip, I nod. "Yeah, I don't have any clients in the morning, so I should be able to make it no problem."

"You should bring one of us with you," Austin rumbles. "I have a mandatory meeting for the security company I work for, but Noah should be home."

"You're welcome to bring your whole pack, if you want," Brody says. "Though I'm not sure who all your step-sisters are bringing."

"Cat and Rue have their own packs, but Birdie…I don't even know where she's living." Last I heard she was traveling the country, doing a food travel blog. Don't know how she's funding anything though.

"They did mention that one of the step-sisters would be attending remotely, so it's probably that one."

Of course, Birdie wouldn't deign to show up in person for a meeting she's partly responsible for calling.

"Okay. I'll talk to my pack tonight, but I'll be there."

After we hang up with Brody, I think about seeing my stepsisters for the first time in twelve years, especially since I now know what Cat did. Maybe tomorrow I can get an idea of why she thought it was a good idea to ruin my life.

Chapter 30

Noah

I've always fucking hated lawyers' offices.

Lawyers in general too.

I mean, what kind of lawyer puts his clients' thirteen year-old on the stand to defend the parents who neglected and beat him? They were counting on my testimony for the drug charges. Thought it would look good if a scrawny kid begged the judge to not put his mommy and daddies in jail. You would think out of three dads,oneof them might have protected me.

But nope. To them, time spent sober wasn't time worth spending. Who cares about basic necessities, like food and water? Not my parents. I snuck water from the neighbors garden hose for two days before the bastards ran out of the bottled waterthey hoarded like it was gold, andthenthey called the city to turn the water back on.

My hand is tight in Hannah's as we walk through the lobby of the bastard's office building. Herman & Sons. What the fuck kind of last name isHerman? What, and then you plaster it all over your building like you'reproudto have a name that sounds like you collect fucking stamps?

A shiver runs through me when we pass the front desk, and Hannah looks up at me. "You okay?"

"Yeah, princess. I'm good," I lie through my teeth. I'm her alpha. I'm supposed to be strong for her.Hersupport. Not needing her to coddle me because I'm currently reliving the trial that was the worst week of my life.

Even if it ended up giving me my freedom.

Sure, I played along with my parent's lawyers. Rehearsed the words they wanted me to say, made them think I was their salvation, when in reality, I would be the final step of their damnation. They put me up on that stand, and I told the judge and jury everything.How we wouldn't have money for food because they spent it all on drugs. How we had fucking rats living in our furniture, and they wouldn't let me call anyone for help. How I was beaten within an inch of my life by my most temperamental father, Jonah Barnes, if I told them I was leaving.

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