Page 60 of Forget me Knot
Sam leaves Max, sits next to me, and takes my other hand. “What exactly happens in these Trials?”
I shake my head, unable to voice the horrors I witnessed. Jack speaks up instead.
“They’re designed to break omegas,” he says, his voice hard. “To make them compliant, submissive. They use methods that no one should ever have to endure.”
Max hisses and I look up at him, his eyes fixed on me. “And you went through this?”
I nod, feeling small under his intense gaze. “Before Jack got me out.”
The room falls silent again, the weight of my revelation hanging heavy in the air. I can see the shock on Sam’s face, the anger on Max’s. Part of me wants to run, to hide from their judgement or the possibility of betrayal. But I force myself to stay. Jack wouldn’t put me in danger, so I can trust these alphas with my life. And that’s exactly what I’m doing.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “This is probably more than you wanted to sign up for. Or, in your case, Max, didn’t sign up for.”
Sam kneels in front of me, keeping his grip on my hand. “Lily, no. You have nothing to be sorry for. What happened to you is unforgivable. But it doesn’t change how we feel about you.”
I look up, surprised by the vehemence in his voice. “It doesn’t?”
Max joins Sam in front of me, placing his hand lightly on my knee. His face is still tight with anger, but his eyes are soft when they meet mine. “You survived something horrible, Lily. You’re incredibly strong. It’s awe-inspiring. And maybe I didn’t initially sign up for this, but I’m all in. I promise you, you’ve got me if you’ll have me. I feel that perhaps you didn’t sign up for me.”
A sob catches in my throat, and suddenly, I’m crying. All the pent-up fear and shame I’ve been carrying for years comes pouring out. Jack holds me tighter while Sam squeezes my hand. “It’s a package deal,” I sob. “We all come with each other.”
“Exactly that,” Jack says.
“We’re here for you, Lily. All of us. You’re safe now.” Max squeezes my knee.
I nod through my tears, overwhelmed by their support. For so long, I’ve lived in fear of this moment, afraid of the truth coming out.
But as I look at their faces - Jack’s unwavering support, Sam’s gentle concern, Max’s fierce protectiveness - I realise I was wrong. They don’t see me as broken or as something to trade. They see me as I am.
“Thank you.”
“You’re our mate. Our future,” Sam murmurs. “We will be in your corner no matter what.”
For the first time in five years, I feel the last of my walls crumbling. The secret I’ve carried for so long is out in the open, and instead of rejection or betrayal, I’ve found understanding. The beginnings of love.
As my tears slow, I find myself surrounded by the alphas.Myalphas. It’s not how I imagined this evening going, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
“So,” I say, wiping my eyes. “What happens now?”
Max stands up, his face set with determination. “Now, we make sure you’re safe. That no one from the Trials can ever hurt you again and neither will Nigel West. He is toast. He has done a double whammy, and he made a big mistake.”
Sam nods in agreement. “You’re part of our pack now, Lily, and we will protect you from everything.”
Smiling at him and feeling their love and support surrounding me, I realise that maybe it is possible, with them by my side, to face anything.
Even my darkest fears.
Chapter 30
Jack
As Lily’s tears slow, I feel a wave of relief wash over me. The secret we’ve carried for so long is finally out in the open, and the response from Sam and Max is better than I could have hoped for. I’ve known these men for five years, trusted them with my life, bonded with them and formed a pack, but this was different. This was Lily’s life, her safety, her heart, and I will choose her over anyone and anything every time.
A surge of pride and affection for my pack brothers wells up in me. This is why Max is our prime alpha. His protective instincts are unmatched, and once he sets his mind to something, there’s no stopping him, and Sam is loving and kind and a big fat hero. Then there’s me. Calm and quiet and so completely in love with the omega next to me I would die for her.
I watch Lily’s face, seeing the hope and trust bloom there. It’s a sight that makes my heart swell. For five years, I’ve watched her struggle with the weight of her past, always looking over her shoulder. To see her finally letting her guard down, allowing herself to be protected and loved is more than I ever dared to hope for. The weight of her trust settles on my shoulders, both a burden and a gift. I’ve carried it alone for so long, and now,seeing Sam and Max step up to share it is overwhelming in the best possible way.
“We should look into the legal side of things,” Max says, his brow furrowed in thought. “See if there’s any way we can officially nullify whatever claim the Trials think they have on Lily. Ben-Dad will know.”
