Page 25 of Knot Their Starlet

Elijah carries the kind of anger in himself that’s seeped into his bones. I don’t know him. I won’t even pretend to. But I do know that I just struck a nerve so raw, he can barely see through the fury pulsing through his veins.

Just like with Ezra.

I scramble backwards and a fucking pathetic, terrified whimper leaves my throat.

I’m not me in that moment. Or maybe I am me—just the new me, born after I was attacked by someone who I had thought was safe. My mind is ruled by my base instincts—by the animalistic drive to keep myself safe.

Tangled in the hospital blankets and all the wires and IVs attached to me, I practically throw myself off the opposite end of the bed.

The world spins and I prepare myself to crack into the cold linoleum, but that doesn’t happen.

“Fuck,” Leo curses, letting out a soft grunt as his strong arms catch me before I can fall. “Are you okay?”

My pulse flutters at the base of my neck as I stare up into his dark eyes, so much warmer than Eli’s.

“S—sorry,” I stutter.

“I much prefer thanks to apologies,” Leo murmurs, helping me back into bed. He turns up and glares at Eli. “What the hell, man? You’re seriously making me say that a lot tonight.”

“Eli!” Beck yells, grabbing Eli’s arm and hauling him backward. “That’s enough—I can’t—I can’t believe⁠—”

He shoots me one of those heartbroken looks I’m starting to hate. He shouldn’t look like that. It’s unnatural.

“I’m so sorry,” he says, blinking quickly. “So fucking sorry. We—we should go. I hope you feel better, Andi.”

I’m half expecting my mom to barrel inside the moment the door is open, but the silence in the hallway tells me she and her entourage must’ve been sent to a waiting room so they wouldn’t block the halls or something.

“You never answered my question,” Leo says, crouching down by my bedside. The move instantly soothes my terrified inner omega, putting him at a level lower than I am.

“What?”

“Are you okay?”

I stare down at my trembling hands.

The question is asked so earnestly. Like he actually cares about my answer.

I feel the burning of tears behind my eyes. No matter how hard I try, I can feel them cling to my lower lashes.

I hate crying. I hate anything that makes me feel out of control over my body, and these tears just won’t stop.

“I’m fine,” I whisper as the first one trails its way down my cheek, splashing down onto my hospital gown.

Just like my blood splashed across my gown last night after Ezra slammed my head into the counter.

Leo pauses, remaining in his low crouch. He knows I’m lying,but he doesn’t push.

“Okay. I’m sorry we had to meet under these circumstances, Andi. I hope... I hope things get better for you,” he sighs, rising to his feet. “I should go after those two.”

“I—I won’t tell,” I say to his back. “I don’t even know why I threatened it.”

“I get it,” he says, his lips pressed into a tight smile as he glances at me over his shoulder. “You’re in a tough spot. Good luck, Andi.”

The door shuts behind him, leaving me blessedly alone.

I close my eyes, but a few more rebellious tears still manage to escape. My hands feel dry as I wipe away at my cheeks, getting rid of the evidence.

It’s stupid, but left alone with my thoughts, I can’t help but wish I had an Elijah to staunchly defend me.