Page 47 of Knot Enough
TWENTY-FOUR
I paced back and forth in Kane's bedroom, struggling to wrap my brain around the shit crowding my mind. Oak had distracted me, but not enough. As soon as I stepped back into this god forsaken house, everything hit me like a freight train. The agony hadn’t lessened. It felt like they’d all stomped on my chest and carved out a hole.
I should have known better. How could they want me? It was all a mistake from the start—they wanted my sister, the better, prettier sibling.
My thighs pulsated from how long I’d been going back and forth from one side of the room to the other. I slowed and rubbed my hip. When they’d taken me, none of their behavior could be mistaken for anything remotely close to care, but at the same time, I didn’t want an ounce of their attention onher. Good or bad.
I was fucked in the head.
“Rest a moment.” Oak’s low voice vibrated through my sternum. He’d been hovering near the door, watching me since they left. I closed my eyes tightly, wanting to curl toward him. I hated how badly I wanted them. Their treatment of me, theirhurting me, all replayed in my head, the pain in my heart making everything ache.
I pressed my palm to my belly, over the scabs. Where Kane had cut me up. My chest felt like it was expanding to a painful level. As much as he’d hurt me these last few times, he’d been so caring and gentle. It must have just been because I was an Omega. If it were Val, they would have shown her the same level of gentleness.
I staggered back a step and sank onto the edge of the bed. Alphas care for Omegas; it was ingrained in them. That was all this meant to them. A biological need to care. What they truly thought of me was condensed by the scabs on my belly and the bruises on my wrists.
Bitterness bubbled to the surface of all the emotions battling with each other.
“Come with me.” Oak seemed as unruffled and put together as usual—that mask of careful indifference settled across his face. The Beta was a mystery to me.
I glared at his outstretched hand. He’d moved so fast I hadn’t had time to process his approach.
I dropped my gaze to my lap.
“What’s your name?”
I tensed, his question taking me off guard. No one had asked me before they went off to confirm what I said about Valerie.
“Lena, but what does it matter anymore?” I felt the words deep in my soul, searing through my body like a brand. “I should go.”
His hand wrapped around my shoulder and slid down to my elbow. I had no choice but to stand with his tug. Oak pulled me down the hall. I had no other choice but to stumble after him. I jerked at my elbow, trying to get free, but my attempts were useless.
He guided me down the hall.
“I don’t want to go back to the living room.” I dug my heels into the carpet.
“Fine.” Oak jerked his chin toward a closed door. I side-eyed him suspiciously, and he took a sharp turn for the door he motioned toward. A couch was pushed up against the end of a large bed. It faced a flat-screen television. He dragged me over and shoved me, making me lose my balance until I plopped.
“Hey!” I tried to shove back to my feet.
Oak palmed my head and forced my ass back down. I gawked as he strolled over to the entertainment stand and grabbed a remote. He flipped through the app options as he returned next to me.
His weight settled on the couch, forcing me to roll onto him. I yanked my thigh away from him so it no longer pressed against his. The move sent a jolt through my aches and pains. I groaned, clutching my side.
Oak fixed his gaze on me, and for once, I saw genuine concern.
“Do you need medication?”
Nowhe was concerned?Please.
My emotions were giving me whiplash. Kane . . . Axel . . .him; they could never be what I wanted.
“I’m fine.” I squeezed my legs together so tight that it hurt.
Oak’s features rippled, and his eyebrows furrowed.
“Rath wouldn’t have taken you?—”
“Stop,” I croaked. I didn’t want any reminder of how they wanted her. He pursed his lips and finally let me be. I focused on the screen.
