Page 34 of Knotty Escape
“If you don’t want to go to dinner with him, you’re not going. I don’t give a shit what deal you made. You shouldn’t have to agree to do something just to get your stuff back,” River adds, sounding slightly less angry.
Their agitation activates my instincts, and I immediately perfume the hallway. The reaction isn’t even intentional. I just don’t like the thought that they might be mad at me.
“What these two cavemen are trying to say is that we’re not going to sit back and watch another alpha take advantage of your kind nature,” Harrison says as he pushes Wes out of the way and pulls me into his arms. His scent soothes me, and I don’t stop myself from nuzzling his neck to get a better hit of it.
“I already said I’d go,” I mumble.
“But you didn’t say you’d go alone, or that you’d go anytime soon,” Harrison teases, giving my waist a squeeze.
“Let's just get your stuff from his place tomorrow, and worry about what the fucker wants after that? Who knows, maybe thethree of us will scare him off tomorrow,” River grunts before making his way down the hall.
“Why did that sound like a threat?” I ask Harrison, who snorts.
“River doesn’t tolerate alphas trying to take advantage of omegas. His stepdad was a real shithead,” Wes explains, before shrugging. “You should ask him about it sometime.”
“Not tonight, though. I don’t want him getting all aggro before we go to your ex-shithead’s place,” Harrison chuckles, giving me one last squeeze before grabbing the rest of my bags.
“We’re stopping for takeout on the way home. What's your top three favorites?” Wes asks when we catch up to him and River outside.
“I’m not picky,” I say gently.
These men are so wonderful, I can’t help but doubt my worth. I thought I was a catch, but what if I’m not? What do I have to offer these men that they couldn’t get with another omega?
Fighting my self-doubt might be the biggest obstacle we face.
Chapter 15
Lila
“Here?” Wes asks, when I stop in front of the door to Larry’s apartment. I’m wracked with nerves. It’s so bad I couldn’t even eat breakfast, much to the alpha's displeasure.
“Yes,” I nod. Harrison didn’t say he’d come with us, but when it was time to leave, he was right there with the guys as we climbed into the car. I’m glad, since he seems to be the one who levels out the other two.
They all sense my nerves, offering little touches of reassurance, but Harrison laces our fingers together. Might as well get this over with. I still have a key, but I knock anyway, just to avoid being a bitch. Larry, of course, takes forever to answer.
So long that I knock again. And again… River and Wes exchange a look, but don’t say anything while we wait. The moment the door swings open, I smell her. Another omega.
My hackles rise, but not because I’m jealous that Larry has another woman with him. It’s because I know he did this on purpose. The guilt I had been feeling over bringing Wes, Harrison, and River here to help me fades away the second Larry’s face comes into view.
“Hey Lila.” The grin he sends me could make milk curdle, and I wonder how the fuck I fell for his bullshit. His burningalmond scent isn’t even pleasant, and I have the urge to gag as it hits me.
“Larry, right? Thanks for letting us grab our girl’s stuff, man. Cool of you to store it for her while she got settled with our pack,” Wes says, stepping in between Larry and me, blocking my view of him. My eyes go wide, and I glance up at a grinning Harrison, but he doesn’t meet my eyes.
“Did he just…?” I ask River instead, and the alpha just smirks.
“Imply that you left Larry for us? Yes. Or imply that Larry is a storage unit? Also, yes.” River nods, stepping into the apartment behind Wes.
“Your girl?” Larry asks, as Harrison pulls me in beside him. I keep my eyes on River, not wanting to look at this other omega or Larry.
“Yes,” is all Wes says, as he stops in the middle of the living room, crossing his arms over his chest. “Harrison and River will help you pack, Lila.” Wes nods, and I don’t wait around to find out what he’ll be doing in the meantime.
Once we’re in my old room, I release Harrison and start putting the packing boxes together. I don’t really have that much stuff still here, but I don’t want any of it here any longer.
“I still have some stuff in the bathroom too,” I tell the guys as I start pulling stuff out of the closet and stuffing it into the boxes.
“Show me,” River says.
I walk into the bathroom, open one of the drawers, and pull out some of my cosmetic bags. I always kept my stuff separate just to make it easier for me to keep everything clean. I have a few under the sink as well, so I open the doors and pull those out.
