Knot Happening

Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty-Four

Tatum

Last night was hell. Easton had texted me, but I never replied. If he had shown up with more ice cream, I might have fallen apart. Like, actually dropped to the floor in tiny shattered pieces. Lady gave me a ride home. I thought for sure Candy would fire me, but instead she gave me a big hug.

Apparently, I wasn’t the first Omega to have Alphas show up and act like shitheads. She reassured me I wouldn’t be the last. Thank fuck she was so understanding, or I would have been unbelievably fucked.

I’m in the back of my closet, curled up in a ball in my nest. My tears have dried up, but my heart still aches like I was stabbed. This isn’t how love is supposed to feel, is it?

Love? What the fuck…no. No.

I don’t…love them… Fuck, I can’t even think it. I bury my face in the fabric of Kodiak’s shit. It’s lost most of his scent. I roll onto my back as the tears threaten to return, and I reach for the hoodie Easton tossed in here the other night.

Crazy fucker. He should know that an Omega’s instincts could go unhinged with the scent of another omega in their nest. Thankfully, Easton is a source of comfort. His scent in my nest is the strongest, since he marked the hoodie about thirty times first.

I stare up at the ceiling as I bring the hoodie to my nose and breathe in the scent of the fireball Omega male that has crashed into my life.

I can’t stop the sting of tears or the unhinged cackle that slips free. I am losing my fucking mind.

My laugh cuts off when I think I hear something. Sitting up, I tilt my head so I can hear better.

The knock against my apartment door startles me, making me jump. I rush to my feet, leaving the hoodie in the safety of my nest.

When I peek out the window, I wish I hadn’t. They… They can’t be here!

“We aren’t going away, and eventually, you’ll need to leave, so you might as well open the door. We won’t come in if you don’t want us to,” Hayden says, as he leans back against the railing outside my door.

The twins are standing shoulder to shoulder, looking very fucking tired. Hayden looks no less tired, but certainly less guilty…wait. Oh my god, they’re wearing matching outfits. I’m trapped at the window. They haven’t spotted me. Or they are letting me watch them…

Either way, I’m stuck with my nose pressed to the glass as I take in the sight of the three Alphas outside my door. In dark blue jeans, all the same shade. Black boots and flannel shirts. Hayden is in red, while the twins are both in gray. Why are they dressed like lumberjacks?

Normally, Kodiak is semi disheveled as well, but right now, he truly does look identical to Declan. His hair is even pushed back and styled with gel. Not trying to hide the scar with his hair like he usually does.

“Come out, please, Little Omega,” Declan pleads. He slowly turns his head, meeting my eyes. I gasp and dive away from the curtain. They’re insane. But Hayden said they wouldn’t leave. I believe him.

I glance at the clock, before searching the room frantically for scent blocking spray. Where the fuck do I keep that thing?

Shit. I’m a mess. I slept in an oversized shirt… Grabbing a blanket off the couch, I wrap it around myself, finally finding the spray so I can drench myself in it. I don’t want them getting even the tiniest hint of my emotions through my scent.

Hesitantly, I unlock my door, turn the knob, and pull it open slowly. I’m holding my breath as I peek out the small crack in the door.

“We wanted to bring you a gift,” Declan starts when he sees me.

“It’s a courting gift,” Kodiak adds.

“And we’re saying sorry. You don’t have to accept it as a courting gift, and if you reject it, we won’t take it back. It’s yours to keep. No matter what,” Hayden says, as the twins step in opposite directions, revealing a massive stuffed teddy bear. My eyebrows jump up.

It’s wearing a matching red flannel. From behind their backs, Declan and Kodiak reveal a matching bouquet of red roses each. Oh…those are stunning. I open the door just a little more, so I can get a closer look. I’m using the blanket like a shield, as I step out the now fully opened door.

I breathe in. Their scents are present, comforting the ache of my self-imposed distance, but not overpowering.

“These each have our scents on them.” Hayden steps forward holding a bundle of fabrics. “Check the pockets,” he whispers, as he hands them to me.

“This… This is from all of us.” Declan uses his free hand to tap the card that the bear is holding.

“We’ll leave these here for you.” Kodiak places the roses on the ground gently, before taking a step back. He meets my eyes, and I can see the pain there. “I’m so sorry we hurt you, Pretty Gift. I miss you.” Kodiak walks backward a few steps, holding my gaze until Declan places his bouquet next to the first.

“We’re not going anywhere, Little Omega. We’ll be here when you’re ready.” I watch Declan leave and turn to Hayden.

“See you tomorrow, Starlight.” Hayden blows me a kiss, and I nibble my lip until he’s out of sight. It takes me a moment to get everything in the apartment. The first thing I do is check the pockets of the hoodies. Three maroon velvet boxes.

I take the boxes and the hoodies and stuff them into my nest. Then I grab the white card from the massive brown teddy bear. My fingers shake as I break the seal and pull out the card.

My heart is in my throat, as I turn it over. The front is a simple beach at sunset. No words.

Opening it quickly, there's three distinct writing styles and signatures. I read the message from Kodiak first.

Pretty Gift,

I fucked up. Forgive me, and I’ll do anything you ask of me for the rest of our lives. Let me slay your monsters, Tatum.

Xoxo Kodi.

Next I read Hayden’s message.

Starlight,

I adore you. Every single thing about you. From your penchant for theft, to your caring heart. Let me show you how desperate I am for you. Let me show you without words what you mean to me, what you do to me.

-Hayden

Declan’s message is last, but I have to read it over and over again… No. He couldn’t possibly…

Little Omega,

Say the word, and I’ll burn every inch of skin from my body that has ever caused you pain. I’ll rip the heart from my chest, if it will bring you comfort. I will do anything to earn your trust. Your love.

-Declan

P.S. We have paid for your mother’s care for the next three years. If she needs continued rehabilitation, we’ll pay that, too. You can do whatever makes you happy, and feel secure in the knowledge that your mother will always be safe and cared for. We will take care of you, always.

I’m so shocked, that for a long moment I just read the card over and over again.

“It can’t be…” But after a frantic call to ABO Care and one confused receptionist later, I confirm it's true. “Holy shit…”

The hoodies had gifts in the pockets as well, and I open them to find a charm bracelet and three charms. A heart, a star, and a tiny house. I tuck it into the nest as well.

I glance at Dream, who is sitting beside me at the bar top table just off the dance floor. Since she insisted on bringing me my stuff from Haze, we made a girl's night out of it.

“So, if a pack paid for your mother’s care facility for three years, but you were avoiding said pack, what would you do?”

My question isn’t super obvious, is it? Shit, what if it is?

“Wait, what?” Her eyes go wide, and they light up in a way that makes me chuckle. “Oh my god, I can’t even tell you how excited I am right now! I have been waiting years for you to open up!”

“Shit, am I that closed off?” I wince, since I’ve only known her for six weeks and not years. I know she’s just being dramatic. I know I sound pitiful, but I didn’t realize I was shutting everyone out, including potential friends.

“You’re not so bad.” She shrugs. “I’ve worked with Bubblegum a lot longer, and have waited years for her to trust me enough to get personal. She’s very serious about her job, though.”

I shake my head, shoving the emotions that build up, way back down. “I’ve had a rough few years.” I swallow, but my throat still aches, so I toss back three of the six shots Dream ordered us, and wince. “I really need someone to talk to.”

The admission burns, but Dream doesn’t falter. She hugs me again and a giggle-sob escapes me. She’s a perfect Omega. Kind, caring, sweet, and bubbly. She’s open with her feelings and affection. She’s nothing like me.

“You’ve come to the right girl. My dad is a shrink. He’s super smart, and after years of listening to him drone on and on, I know a little. Plus, you know. Omega instincts.” Dream taps a finger to her temple, sitting back in her bar stool, and throws back a shot. She never takes her hand off me, though. I’m thankful for the connection. “Go on, hit me.”

That's the most she has ever told me about her personal life, and I realize I’m a shitty friend. Hayden did more damage than I realized. Or maybe the damage was already there, and losing him just broke me irrevocably.

I steal one of her shots, throw it back, and begin. I tell her everything. From my dad dying, to my mom crumbling. I tell her about Declan and how I got hired at Haze. I tell her about Kodiak and the money. About how he is the only reason I got my mom into the ABO Care. I tell her about Hayden and how he broke my heart once, but now he’s back. I leave out why he did it, that's not a part of my story, but I explain that he had a valid reason.

I tell her how Kodiak’s birthday party ended. How I ran. How they showed up to Candy’s and made me jealous last night. I tell her what they said. I tell her about Easton, and how he’s been a huge comfort, but I feel like we’re walking the line between friend and something more.

I tell her fucking everything, and by the time I’m done, we’re tucked into a booth in the back of the bar and more than a little tipsy.

I can feel eyes on me. I glance around, but don’t see anything right away, so I turn back to Dream.

“Okay, first of all, damn. On a rooftop garden? Hot. Second… That was a lot.” She takes a deep breath, passing me another shot. “You made your boundaries clear, if they want to shower you with gifts, let them. Hold strong. Unless you want to give in. Don’t hold back if it’s hurting you. If you think you’ll be happier with them, then don’t let the fear of future pain stop you from being happy now.”

“I can’t.” I shake my head, swallow hard, and then sigh.

Dream gives me a sad smile like she understands perfectly. “Let's dance?”

Maybe I’m avoiding the things I brought up, but I need to process what she said first. It felt so damn good to get it all out, though, and I realize that was just another thing I lost when I lost Hayden.

My only fucking friend. My confidant. The person that held all my secrets and took all my pain by listening to me complain. I was so overwhelmed by the loss of him, that it didn’t occur to me to consider all the holes in my life he filled.

All that support, just gone in one day.

“Let's get a drink first?” she offers, and I nod. We head to the bar, and I lean against it. I only brought my ID.

Maybe it’s presumptuous to think I’ll get free drinks, but worst case is that I get no drinks, which I’m also okay with. I just want to listen to music and people watch at this point. Dream revealed that she also hasn’t spent any money on drinks tonight either, so I don’t feel too bad.

I have that creeping feeling of eyes on me again and look around for the source. Everyone that’s looking at me is unfamiliar. Just different Alphas and Betas showing general interest.

“Can I get you a drink?” someone asks from my other side, and I glance up at the Alpha. He’s handsome. Ish. Not my type, but he’s nice to look at, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. His scent is strong as hell, though, and a bit overpowering. It reminds me of butter. Which I like on my popcorn, but not so much on a man.

I nod, smiling up at him. “Sure, thanks.”

The grin he sends my way is a nice enough grin. It reminds me almost of Easton, but I’m not quite sure why. They look nothing alike. Straight white teeth, full lips. But it’s not filled with mischief and fucking mayhem. It’s not a criminal sort of smirk that makes me want to drop my panties.

We chat for a little bit while Dream talks to the Alpha on her other side.

The Alpha talking to me is Jimmy, and he’s twenty-seven. The bartender glares at him several times. Not sure what’s bothering her, but I just keep sipping my drink. He’s in the middle of explaining sports cars and how they’re basically race cars or something. I’m not listening when Dream grabs my wrist and drags me away to go dance.

The feeling of eyes on my body makes me shiver, and I look around again, finding Hayden walking right at me. I gasp, surprised and caught off guard. I stop dancing, and Dream frowns.

“You okay—ohhh…” she trails off, before taking several steps away. I’m about to follow her, but she grins brightly, shooting me two thumbs up. “Don’t be scared of future pain that isn’t guaranteed!” She fails epically at not shouting those words, and I snort as I shake my head at her.

“What are you drinking?” Hayden takes the drink from my hands, and downs it in one go. I watch him hand it to one of the bouncers that walks the floor. Then I watch him step right up to me. I don’t fight it, as Hayden grips my hips and pulls me against his chest.

I don’t manage to ask him any real questions. Just a mumbled, ‘What,’ slips free.

“Couldn’t resist. I miss you.” Hayden tips his head down, until he’s pressing his nose to the crown of my head and breathing deeply.

“No.” I can’t think clearly when he’s this close, holding me like this. His scent, his warmth…it’s too much. I want to jump into his arms and curl against his chest. I want to kiss him… Just one little kiss. To remember how it felt.

I want to chase the memories until I find a safe place to land in them. The rush when I realized he wanted me. The dizzy, lust filled moments when his mouth pressed against my body.

The comforting way he held me…

I wrap my arms around his neck, and my eyes drift shut. The song is upbeat. It’s not meant for slow dancing, but I don’t care. My entire focus is on Hayden.

“I’m drunk,” I admit, and Hayden nods.

“I know, Tatum.” He sounds sad. Maybe he knows that I wouldn’t have let him get this close if I were sober. Sober Tatum would have run away at the first sight of him. Drunk Tatum wants to climb Hayden like he’s a tree, and I'm a nut crazed squirrel.

“You broke a lot. I know it was your mom’s fault, but… I lost more than I even realized when I lost you. I’m maybe not okay, Hayden.” My confession blurs my vision, and I blink away the tears, letting them fall down my cheeks, no doubt ruining my makeup.

“I’m so sorry, Tatum. I wish I could take every second back. Let me fix it. Let me make you okay again. Happy. My pack and I. We can make you happy. ”

He’s begging, but how can he fix what’s broken inside me, when I don’t even know how?

“You can’t.”

I cling to him, ignoring the pounding music and shuffle of bodies around us. I breathe in his scent and pretend he’s mine, and I’m his.

I pretend he never abandoned me, and that I didn’t lose everything with him.

And then his phone rings, breaking the spell. I take a shuddering breath and step back. Hayden curses and looks like he wants to reach for me. Like he wants to pull me back against his chest. One glance at his phone, and he’s cursing again.

“I have to go. Don’t leave alone, Tatum. Stay with your friend.”

I nod, expecting him to turn away. Instead, he grips the back of my neck, and pulls me in as he leans down to press a kiss to the top of my head.

“I’ll see you soon, Starlight.”

Everything after that is blurry. I stumble into the bathroom. Watch myself cry in the mirror. Pee. Wash my hands. I find Dream on the dance floor.

We dance for a while, and when it’s time to leave, she convinces me to share a taxi with her.

I wouldn’t have been able to ride my bike home anyway, and Dream is too drunk to drive. We’re waiting in the parking lot, when the guy I’d been talking to inside, Jimmy I think, appears beside me, startling me so bad I yelp a scream.

“Shit, sorry. I just thought you ladies would want a ride?” he chuckles, stepping into me, a little too close for comfort. His scent washes over me once again, and I fight not to wrinkle my nose at him. Soggy popcorn…

“No thanks. I’m good.”

I sway on my feet a bit, very uncomfortable with how close he is. And how in my face he is. Dream glares over at him, and I can read the look on her face as clearly as if she had spoken.

Kindly fuck off sir, she says with her eyes, and I giggle.

He takes another step into me, his body pressing into my side now. He’s so close, his breath hits my nose like a slap, and I jerk back from him. Yikes, buddy, get a breath mint. Dream yanks my arm, but we’re both drunk and wobble on our feet.

“I think you should come with me.” His entire demeanor changes, and when I try to put distance between us and him, he snarls. “Don’t make me hurt you.”

“Fuck off!” I snap, really trying to get away from him now. “Just go away!” I hiss, kicking my leg up, aiming for his balls. A firm grip in my hair stops me short. I yelp from the pain, my hands flying up to grip his wrist, needing to relieve the pressure of his hold on me.

“Stop fighting!” His Alpha bark washes over me like a bucket of ice water, and my muscles seize. The knife pressing against my throat, or maybe the bark, stops Dream dead in her tracks. Jimmy grins, and this time it’s malicious. Vile. I’m powerless against the dominance of his Alpha bark. He chuckles, getting a good hold of me now. He’s behind me, pulling my body into his and running his nose up the side of my neck. “Fucking pretty little thing, aren’t you. You’ll sell really well.” If I could move, I’d scratch his eyeballs out.

“Run,” I whisper to Dream, but she’s just as trapped as I am.

A tear falls down my cheek, as panic like I’ve never felt fills me. Then something is slipped over my face, and I lose consciousness.

I’m so disoriented right now, and it takes several blinks to get my eyes open. What the fuck is happening? Where am I? I can’t tell. I’m lying on my side. With my hands behind my back. Ouch.

Memories flood me when I realize my arms are bound, not just behind me. I scream, but it’s no use, because something is tied over my fucking mouth! I jerk, struggling to get free of the damn restraints, because my ankles are also bound.

No, no, no, no, no! This can’t be real, this isn’t actually fucking happening right now. My head is so foggy from whatever knocked me out. The only thing I remember is that Alpha getting too fucking close for comfort. What else did he do to me? I’m not naked, my clothes are still in place…but he could have dressed me. My body is sore, but the pain is in my shoulders, and hips.

I don’t feel…violated. Not in that way. I squeeze my eyes shut. Terrified doesn’t even begin to cover how fucking scared I am right now.

I’m in the back of a van. The space I’m in is dark, but I can tell that much from the light bleeding through the pass through in front of me. No windows. No hope of anyone seeing me, even if I can get up off the floor.

I’m so fucked. I’m so dead. Who’s going to take care of my mom? Will Hayden help her if I disappear and no one ever hears from me again? Will Mom survive if I don’t ever come back?

Fuck…no. I won’t die like this. I fucking won’t.

Every serial killer documentary I’ve ever watched flashes in my mind. I filter through every horrible second of every true-crime story I have ever seen. I need to figure out why I was taken. Where they’re taking me. Second locations are not fucking good, but I’m past that point now.

Okay. So what do I do?

The guy, the Alpha… He liked me. Can I seduce him? Fuck, I doubt it, but that’s my only fucking hope…

I lie still. Trying to memorize every turn we take, but my memory and sense of direction are already shit, and I was out cold for who knows how long.

The car slows and then stops. Once it’s shut off, my heart rate skyrockets, and with wide eyes, I stare at the door. I’m counting in my head, to keep my thoughts from spiraling. It’s not helping. My instincts are screaming at me to fight. To attack. To hurt. My scent is going berserk in the small space. But I’m bound up like a pig for dinner. I’m not attacking shit like this.

The doors finally open, and the Alpha from the bar is there. I start crying on sight. It’s not intentional, but Alphas get the natural urge to fix, whenever an Omega is in distress. Maybe this will work in my favor?

Wrong. He snorts, shaking his head at me.

“Crying won’t help you. Hell, if anything, you’ll sell better for me. The clients here love a responsive Omega.” He jumps in the back and grabs me roughly. The binding on my legs is cut, and he places me on my feet after he climbs out of the van.

The bright lights out here that are shining right in my face fucking blind me. I blink rapidly, to shake it off, but it doesn’t help.

With his hand in my hair, he leads me toward a building. I assume, since I can’t see yet. I can barely breathe with my mouth covered, so I start hyperventilating, desperate to fill my lungs, now that my nose is stuffy from the crying.

Jimmy stops, looks at me, and rolls his eyes. We’ve stepped under some kind of awning and I can see his face now. With an aggressive yank, he pulls the rag out of my mouth, and I shake as I take fat lungfuls of air in.

“Th-Thank you…” I murmur. What I really want to say is eat a bag of donkey cock, but I hold in the insults. I need this fuck weasel on my side. “Thank you, Alpha.” I lean into him, even though my instincts are fucking losing it, screaming at me to knee him in the nuts and run for it. Hopefully my scent only gives away my understandable fear.

All I can think about is every movie I’ve ever seen where the girl in my position does exactly that, only to be immediately recaptured. I’m going to fight, but I need to do it in a way that won’t get me killed.

“Sucking up to me won’t save you, Omega,” he grunts, but I can tell he at least likes the way I’m leaning on him. His scent spikes, and his arousal hits me, making me want to gag. But I don’t. Instead, I just whimper, nodding my understanding.

“Yes, Alpha.” I add an Omega whine, knowing the effect it has on most Alphas, even if this one is fucking broken and evil.

“You think you’re special?” he snarls, yanking my head back viciously. Tears sting my eyes now, because I’m in pain. I cry out, but don’t try to fight him.

“No, Alpha. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Alpha!” Oh, how those fucking words burn leaving my lips. I’m going to set you on fucking fire, you worthless ball sack. I’m going to pour Drano down your fucking throat and watch you suffer. I’ll disembowel you and feed your insides to rats while you fucking watch!

Wow. Those thoughts took a dark turn. I knew I had a lot of pent-up rage, but holy hell. That seems excessive… The thoughts do make me feel better, though.

“Fine,” he huffs, but the hold on my hair loosens. He keeps me pressed close to him as I continue to whimper and cry. The longer this goes on, the harder it’s going to be to hold onto this wimpy version of myself.

Once the initial shock and horror wears off… I don’t know if I’ll be as convincing.

“When we go in there, keep fucking silent,” he growls close to my ear, as he drags me toward a white door. Because my head is tilted down, I can’t see much, but I take in as much of my surroundings as I can.

We’re outside, obviously. Gravel and concrete. The air is cool, but not cold. Not much grass in sight. Probably fenced in. Lots of voices all around us. Mostly masculine ones.

Jimmy pushes through the door, and the energy shifts. The vibe in this room is fucking intense as hell. These Alphas are all dominant as fuck. I whimper, but cut it off because Jimmy told me to keep silent. Unfortunately, the talk in the room goes silent as they notice me.

I can feel all eyes on me, and with one quick glance up, I can see I’m right. I don’t look any of them in the eyes. No fucking way. It’s not something that’s usually an issue in society anymore, but there are Alphas that take it as an insult or challenge. I’m not trying to die in this room.

I lean into Jimmy further, because Alpha’s are also territorial as all fuck, and if I can make him see me as his, I might get out of here in one piece.

“What the fuck, Jimmy?” one of the men asks. There’s seven men in this room, Alphas by the smell of them, including Jimmy. No idea which guy said that.

There’s only one Alpha in this room with a seriously fucking stifling dominance. The rest are strong, but not as fucking potent.

“Son, what’s this?” the man has a deep voice, and the most dominant vibe radiating off of him. He steps forward, straight for me.

“This is the Omega my cousin was watching. The one from Haze, father,” Jimmy chuckles, releasing my hair so he can shove me forward, straight into the chest of the other Alpha, his fucking dad! When I look up at him from under my lashes, the resemblance between them with their dark hair and brown eyes leaves no question.

“Why is she here?” His voice is level and calm, but as I try to get my feet under me, I can feel the fucking fury he’s restraining. He feels like a fucking nightmare. His scent is like sulfur, and metal. I gag, choking on it.

I need to get out of here…

“She was at the bar, waiting for a taxi. I grabbed her from the back where there are no cameras. No one saw me.” Fucking lie! What did he do to Dream?! “Brought her straight here,” Jimmy explains, as his dad takes my chin in his hand and jerks my head up. I keep my eyes locked on his lips.

He’s taller than I am by a foot, and I feel like I’m being bent over backward as he looks me over.

“Damn,” someone else says, but I don’t even fucking breathe. Just remain stone still as this Alpha looks me over.

“Alright. Get her processed,” he eventually says, shoving me backward.

“Yes, Father.” Jimmy grins, and I regret ever comparing this cunt’s smile to Easton’s.

“I want her in my room once she’s cleaned up,” the older man adds as he turns away from me. Jimmy’s hands shake, but he doesn’t lash out.

“Could I have time with her, since I am the one that got–”

“Jimmy.” His father’s words are calm, but there’s an edge to them.

“But I–”

“I think my instructions were clear. Go. Take her down to the chambers, have her clean herself, alone , then escort her to my room, untouched.”