Page 22 of In Knots

“Omega,” Ryan barks, my body involuntarily stilling. “Tell us, how did you get those marks?”

“And I’ll fucking break their neck,” Buzz growls.

My eyes widen as I gape at him.

“It’s not … it’s not that … it’s not what you think.”

“Then what is it?” Ryan asks, more softly.

“Please,” I beg them.

I’m so stupid. Of course, an alpha would look at me and only see the faults, the scars, the problems. And if they knew the truth, of how messed up I must be, then what? There are more easy-going girls, who aren’t caught up inside their own heads. Girls whose parents don’t control their every move. Who are free to be who they want; be with whom they wish.

“I need to know if someone else did this to you,” I can tell from his words, he already knows the truth, and Buzz is quiet.

“They didn’t.”

He nods, stroking my cheek. “Then another time. You’ll tell me another time.”

I’m not prepared to make that promise, but I cross my fingers and nod anyway.

He strokes my cheek.

“I’ve got to get home,” I say. The sun is falling and soon it will be mid-afternoon and my mother will be returning from the club and wondering where I am.

“Are you running away, little Omega?” Buzz asks me, his thumb sliding over the skin where he still grips my arm.

I shake my head and they both release me. Swimming further up the river, I tumble out of the water, and dress quickly, even though my skin’s sopping wet. I can feel their eyes on me, watching silently, but they make no move.

“Aren’t you coming out too?” I ask, a little disappointed that they’ve not going to see me to my car.

“I took the afternoon off, remember?” Ryan shouts to me. “Call me when you’re home. Let me know you’re safe.”

I bite my bottom lip, taking one last look at the two alphas glistening in the water and then hurry to my car. Soon I hear the sound of their voices water splashing, and my stomach aches again.

I don’t want to go home.

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