Page 61 of Love Me Knot, Part One (Knotty Omegas #1)

Sasha’s got her professional smile on and dialed up to eleven. “Your Honor, we’re asking for a recess.”

“Of course you are,” Kefling scoffs, crossing his arms. “Your Honor, they’re trying to drag the proceedings out so?—”

“Actually, that would be your clients,” Sasha growls back.

“Enough,” the judge snaps before turning to my lawyer. “Why do you need a recess?”

This is the one thing I didn’t want to share, but Sasha insisted it was the only way to get time we desperately need to find the contract my parents signed and end this ridiculous dissolution for good.

“My client went into heat after our last court hearing and was unavailable for any strategy meetings or conversations until recently. We haven’t had a chance to organize our affairs.”

My body goes on high alert, waiting for my exes to say something shitty.

Lance and Corey whisper furiously to their lawyer while Jacob’s glare heats the side of my face.

From the corner of my eye, I see he looks unhinged, but different.

There’s a pale stain on his dark blue suit.

Probably the foam from his twice daily nonfat extra dry cappuccino.

It brings me so much joy to know perfect Jacob Parker is walking around less than pristine.

He turns to Mother, who looks pale and shaky. Did she not tell them? Now that I think about it, how did she find out about my heat in the first place? Fuck, what if they’re having me followed? What if they already have a plan for Pack Morgan?

The pre-bond will protect my men, but it doesn’t mean I want them dragged through the mud too.

Suddenly, all the reasons I had for not letting him in here vanish. I want Nate. I want my alpha. My fingers clench gently around the chain at my neck, taking strength from my pack even though they’re not beside me.

After a small argument on the other side of the aisle, Kefling clears his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Your Honor, my clients would like to know where Ms. Barnes spent her heat, since she didn’t come home to nest with her alphas.”

Sasha’s red in the face, fingers clenched so tight they leech color as she whirls on Kefling. “How dare you.”

If looks could kill, he’d be dead three times over, and so would my ex-pack. Even the judge snarls at the disrespect of the question.

“Ms. Barnes, you don’t have to answer that because it’s no one else’s business what you did during your heat.”

“She’s our omega!” Jacob’s voice cuts through the room, an angry, sharp thing.

“Not by choice,” Sasha snaps back.

It takes both of his packmates and Kefling to get Jacob back in his seat and I flinch at the violence in every move.

The judge folds his hands, giving me this inscrutable look.

“Considering the circumstances, I’ll allow a recess.

My next available court date isn’t for four months, but if I may, Ms. Barnes, I suggest settling.

I’m not sure that pursuing this case would be in your best interest. Especially considering the dedication your former pack has shown toward getting you back. ”

He means, if I keep going the risk of Pack Parker getting crazier goes up.

I appreciate the warning, but I can’t stop even if I wanted to.

Letting them win won’t remove them from my life, it’ll only give them more leverage to hold over me.

If I want to move on for good, I need to fight for myself and for my future.

Thankfully, this time, I’m not doing it alone.

I have a pack of alphas ready and willing to stand at my side.

“Maybe not, Your Honor, but I won’t give up my company willingly. If they want to drag this out, then that’s what we’ll do, but they don’t deserve my surrender.”

Judge Harris seems pleased, though he hides it. I don’t imagine he’s enjoyed the last year of bullshit either, but I think this is the first time I’ve really shown my backbone.

I may be quiet, but I’m no longer silent.

“In that case, we’ll meet back here in four months.” Harris bangs the gavel and walks out.

Kefling and Lance tow Corey and Jacob out of the room so fast I barely have time to see their faces. My parents follow, though I know from experience that they’ll be waiting for me. Can’t give up an opportunity to set me straight.

As soon as they’re gone, I text Nate.

Me

Got the delay. Leaving now.

Nate

I’m here.

Once we’re sure Pack Parker’s gone, Sasha turns to me. “We don’t have a lot of time, so I need you to dig up every document you have from when you first started courting your exes. Texts, gifts, dinner receipts, emails. Everything. Maybe we missed something.”

She has it all, but I’ll search again anyway. “Did you get ahold of Taylorson?”

“Nope. His secretary said he’s on leave indefinitely and there’s no record of him working on the case at all.

“I have some feelers out to other lawyers who specialize in cases like this. Maybe they’ll have more solutions than I do. For now, just keep looking for the contract and don’t give up, okay?”

As expected, we find my parents on the steps.

“You want me to stay?” Sasha asks.

“No, I’ve got someone waiting.” And doesn’t that feel amazing?

After a pointed look, she heads out, leaving me to face my parents.

“Mother, Father. You look well.” If you consider Satan’s handmaidens a good look.

“I wish we could say the same.” Mother’s nose wrinkles as she takes in my outfit.

“I’m comfortable with the clothes I wear, thank you.”

Father adjusts the cuffs of his suit with a derisive snort. “Are we really just going to pretend that nothing’s wrong after you spent a week whoring around with a pack that isn’t yours?”

Actually, four days, fuck you very much. “At least I’m not bending over for the people that hurt my daughter.”

It’s the most argumentative thing I’ve ever said to my father, and it’s as freeing as it is terrifying. His face darkens, cheeks going ruddy. Even as a beta, he vibrates with so much tension I want to take a step back.

“They didn’t hurt you, Daphne. You’re just weak. God knows why they want you back when they could have anyone.”

Mother looks away, throat bobbing, but as usual, she says nothing to defend me. Before I can do more than swallow, a growl heats my skin.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

Oh, shit. I whirl, finding a very pissed off Nate behind me. He palms my waist, pulling me into his body like he can shield my heart from their hateful words. “Who the hell do you think you are to talk to her like that?”

Mother shrinks back, faking fear, while Father stands as if he’s got a single chance against my alpha. “We’re her parents. Who the hell are you?”

“I’m her?—”

“Friend!” I interrupt. “Nate and his pack are supporting me through this ordeal.”

Father scoffs. “You mean, you’re fucking them.”

Nate’s hand tightens, a low warning growl leaking through his lips. He sounds like he’s about to rip Father’s throat out.

I press tighter into his hold before glaring at my parents. “What I do with my body is none of your concern. All you need to worry about is the contract you signed. We need it for court.”

Father straightens his tie and his sleeves. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Now I’m growling. “The contract you signed giving me to them. The one you went over in detail that day. I need it.”

Mother strokes her pearls, then reaches for my hand. “Daphne, honey. We’re so worried about you. You know there’s no contract.”

This is how they get what they want. The dark side of living in their shadows. My parents are expert liars and manipulators. Most of the elders in our circles are. Is it any wonder Pack Parker was so good at what they did with me? They had excellent teachers.

Maybe the gaslighting would’ve worked a year ago, but I know better now. “If the judge realizes you’ve withheld it this whole time, he won’t be pleased.”

Father laughs, and it’s this bitter, acidic thing. Genuine laughter is too deep an emotion for him. “You have no proof of anything. Just like you have no proof your alphas were anything less than perfect.”

Nate’s energy gets hostile, and I know I need to get us out of here before he puts his whole life on the line for me.

“Maybe not, but I hope you hear this. I’m never going back to them. I would rather walk away from this whole fucking country than end up under their thumb again.”

“You’re such a fucking waste.” Father turns away like I’m nothing. “Let’s go, Lori.”

“Please, Daphne. Reconsider. We just want what’s best for you.” Mother sniffs, faking tears that never come before latching onto Father’s arm and waltzing away.

We watch until they’ve disappeared out of sight and only then do I droop.

“You okay?” Nate asks, carefully settling behind me.

“No. Are you?”

“No.”

My chest hurts—both because of how awful he sounds and how terrible I feel. There’s this weight behind my breastbone, sinking down and pulling me with it. “Can we go home, please?”

“Sure, baby.”

Nate says nothing as he drives, nor when he parks. He refuses to utter a word until he’s hauled me out of the car and into my house. Only when we’re in my bedroom, my sweet little nest, does he look at me and holy fuck, I almost wish he hadn’t. Every feeling is written on his face.

Desire. Anger. Hurt. Determination.

Trepidation licks down my spine along with a healthy dose of desire as he backs me into the door, leaving me with nowhere to run. Those rough hands leisurely roll the sleeves of his Henley, displaying toned forearms and the tattoos that ring them.

“What’s happening?” God, my voice is broken. Breathing ragged. Already, I’m lightheaded from how fast my heart’s beating. But this feels good.

Nate’s attention strips away the ache of my parents’ betrayal, rebuilding me so I’m standing on my own two feet again. And he does it all with a glance.

“You called me your friend,” he whispers, fingers caressing the swell of my breast. I barely feel it, an intentional tease. He’s trying to make me regret what I said. If only he knew I already do.