Page 19 of Knotty Escape
“I like–”
“Lavender,” River cuts me off, tilting his head as his scent slams into me with so much need, I gasp. Does this man get off on this cat-and-mouse game? I take a deep breath, leaning back in my seat as I consider him.
Does he like that I caught him? Was he trying to hide his behavior, though? Not very well, if so.
“Why?” If he knows the answer, then I’ll need to learn what I can about these alphas before I let myself get in too deep.
“Reminds you of your grams who helped raise you.”
“You little stalker… What else do you know about me, huh? When did you start following me? Sunday? After I met Harrison?” I slam my palms down on the tabletop and lean forward. “Is this your kink? Stalking omegas and luring them here?” I glare at the alpha, but he doesn’t back down.
“No, if you really want to know, my kinks vary.” River tilts his head, his grin growing. “Right now, I’m really enjoying your fire. You’re sexy as fuck when you’re angry, shouting at an alpha twice your size, not an ounce of fear in your eyes.”
“I thought I was going crazy,” I accuse, ignoring his kink talk as I point my finger at him, but he only leans into me, mimicking my position. “You have been watching me for days, and lured me here, why?” He’s right, though, I’m not scared. Not of River. Not of any of them.
I’m not scared they’ll harm me physically. But emotionally? They all pose a threat to my heart and mind.
“You know why,” River challenges, tilting his head as he holds my gaze. “Say it, Lila.”
“You…need an omega.”
“Close.”
“You want to fuck me.”
“Yes, very badly, especially while you’re angry. But not quite, closer though,” River teases.
“You want me…”
“To be…” he prompts, reaching up to tilt my chin up so he can bring our lips closer together.
“Yours,” I say, still dodging the words I know he really wanted me to say.
“You’ll have to say it eventually, Lila. But for now, we should head into another escape room.” River says, taking a step away from me. “All four of us.”
“Is it another room like the one Harrison was tied up in?” I ask, not sure what I want the answer to be.
“Do you want it to be?” Wes asks, and I take a moment to consider the question.
“I’ve never been to an escape room before, and was kind of excited to get to participate…” I admit, staring down at my hands in an attempt to hide my embarrassment.
“Hopefully, you’ll enjoy the next room then. Come on, I’ll tell you about it on the way. It’s upstairs,” Wes offers. I probably look like a loser as I jump off my chair and follow close behind him. “So it’s three connected rooms. One room's clues lead to thenext one opening. We have to solve all the puzzles to get to the end, and we’re on a timer. But don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of time to finish.”
“That's what she said,” a voice says above us, startling me until I remember Trix is watching us. Listening in as well. “Yes, I’m still here. You get three clues for each room if you need them, just say, ‘Hey, Trix, clue please!’” she says in a sing-song voice.
“I was getting there,” Wes grumbles, looking up at a camera I hadn’t noticed before as we walk past it.
“She’ll be there to help if we need it, but given the nature of the business, the other rules all still apply as well. The safe word, the red panic button, as well as the black curtain,” River adds from behind me. I glance over my shoulder at him and Harrison, who’s been very quiet. I frown, slowing down to walk beside him.
“Are you okay?” I ask him, touching his arm gently.
“There’s something you need to know. I don’t want you to find out later and then think I was trying to trick you.” Harrison stops, grabbing my wrist and tugging me to a stop with him. His pack mates also pause, turning to watch us. Wes looks amused, but River looks worried.
“Now doesn’t seem like the right time–”
“No one asked you, River,” Harrison barks, glaring at the other alpha, whose dominance answers the challenge in the blink of an eye. He reels it back in just as quickly, though, and I realize he’s the pack lead.
“Finally going to tell her about Fiona?” Wes smirks, crossing his arms over his chest as he leans against the wall. Harrison frowns, looking confused. My hackles rise at the name, and I nearly fucking growl possessively. Who the shit is Fiona? Their omega?
