Page 44 of In Knots

I swing my head around and stare at her. Not her too. I knew she was keen, but really?

“Mum! I haven’t agreed to anything yet! I’m not sure I even like the man.”

“Nonsense, Alexa. What is there not to like?”

Everything, I scream in my head. But I know there’s no point in saying the word out loud. She’s not listening. None of them are. None of them ever do.

At the house, I kiss my parents goodbye and wave them off. Jonathan will be caught up at the airport with paperwork and won’t be home until late.

So I stroll straight through the house, pushing open the french windows that open out onto the terrace, and fling my head right back. The rain batters my face so hard I can hardly breathe and I splutter against the barrage. Water runs over my face washing away all of Sadie’s perfect makeup, and soaks straight through my clothes until my shirt sticks to my arms.

Soon, I’m shivering, and I swipe at the wetness flooding across the screen of my phone and call Ryan.

“Will you come over?” I ask when he answers.

“Will your parents be there?” he asks, and I hang my head, shame sagging my shoulders.

“No,” I whisper. “They’re going to be away.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Alpha,” I say, hoping my words aren’t lost beneath the thundering rain, “I want you in my bed.”

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