Page 26 of Knot Your Kismet

“I’ve heard the rumors, bitch.” Alexander hops to his feet, grabbing one of the glasses from the table. He tosses it at my face, soaking me with alcohol. “Now, come here. You can’t disrespect an alpha like this.”

“Fuck off!” I scream, dodging past two of the betas who remain quiet. They won’t interfere with anything.

“You owe me an apology—”

“Alexander, back up,” one of his pack members says.

“Fuck off, Louis. You don’t have the balls to take power when you see it. I don’t see Jensen around protecting her. Maybe he’ll thank me later when she runs—”

“Get the hell away from my omega!” Jensen’s snarl rings through the air, his voice sharper than I’ve ever heard before. The two alphas glower toward him, and Alexander raises his fist. He doesn’t get a chance to swing. Jensen uppercuts, punching Alexander’s chin hard enough to send his blond head back. The other alpha, Louis, raises both of his hands in surrender.

Relief floods through me at the sight of Jensen. The moment our eyes meet, I know abandoning him was a huge mistake.

“Calm down, Kismet. I didn’t know she belonged to you. We’re all cool here, right?” Alexander peers over his shoulder at me. He demands my submission and agreement with one sharp look. “Right, Cali?”

My mouth trembles that he knows my name. I can’t get the words out.

Jensen clenches his jaw and tightens his fist again. He looks like he’ll pummel Alexander to death, and a part of me hopes to see him follow through. I don’t know why, but I want the alpha to pay. I want him to bleed for even touching me, I want to see Jensen do it.

“Enough. We don’t want any problems, Mr. Kismet. My asshole brother is sorry. Please, just let us go inside and we’ll leave you alone,” Louis says, remaining even in tone. “We’ve all had a bit too much to drink. You know how that goes. I’ll ensure he’s properly taken care of when we dock.”

“You fucker! Traitor! I’m above you!” Alexander yells, spinning toward me.

I raise my hands to protect myself, but Louis grabs onto Alexander. Alexander doesn’t get a chance to argue as Louis punches him in the face. His heavy body slams into me, and I lose my footing, my heel cracking and breaking.

I trip backward and hit the bars, the force of hitting the guardrail blurring my vision. I don’t even have the chance to react before two hands slam against my chest and shove me harder until the world around me drops, the wind stealing my scream before water cascades over my head.

Panic seizes my muscles. I do my best to kick my arms and legs, but the water is dark and disorienting. And I can’t swim.

I should have known my life would end because of stupid power-hungry alphas.

This is why I wanted my freedom.

Now I don’t care.

I just want to survive. I want to live.

16

Safe

Calista

Idon’t want to die. I had no idea how much so until my lungs started burning, begging for air. I don’t know how much longer I can hold my breath. I’m so confused in the dark water. It sways back-and-forth, seeming to take me deeper.

Something grabs onto my hair, yanking me by the scalp. I scream out, losing all my air. I instinctively suck in water, my body thrashing with my uncontrollable panic. Something pinches under my arms, and I fear that I’m being eaten alive.

I continue to struggle, trying to punch through the water, but I have no force. I have no air. I’m drowning and fighting a losing battle.

Then I feel them. Two arms wrap around me, the warmth of another body sending relief through me as I finally break the surface. I gasp and spit out saltwater, my body convulsing. I can’t see through my watery eyes, but I don’t care who I’m hugging. Someone saved me. Someone jumped in the water and pulled me up.

“Stop fighting. I got you, butterfly.” Jensen shifts my legs around his waist until I press against him. “You’re safe. They’re sending a raft. Look.”

Fear strikes through my very core, and my stomach clenches. “That alpha—he—he pushed me. He’ll try to kill me.”

Jensen swipes his hand across my forehead, pushing away the dark strands of my hair blocking my vision. His golden-brown eyes shadow against the light coming from the yacht.

“You’re safe with me. No one will hurt you again. Pack Loomis is being detained.” His words beg me to trust him, and my heart agrees before my mind.