Page 8 of Salt and Knot

“Fair, and it’s supposed to be pretty. How is the kit getting on? You’re not still thinking of camping, are you?”

My face heats. “Yeah,” I mutter. I don’t have the money for a hotel or anything fancy.

Elaina shakes her head. “And you’re planning to ‘walk’?” Elaina says it’s a weird activity, but I love walking through Manchester. I like the canals and the small bits of river. It’s soothing, and I think I’d like doing it all day, even with a rucksack on, looking at the sea the whole time.

“Got feet, better use them,” I joke.

“You’re crazy. But I’m happy for you,” Elaina says sincerely. “You couldn’t drag me on a camping and walking trip. I’d be like that meme of the dog melted on the floor. But if you’ll enjoy it, fantastic. You’ll check in with me though?”

“Of course. I’ll let you know I haven’t fallen off a cliff or anything.” I roll my eyes. “Nothing’s going to happen.”

“Look out. Alpha,” Elaina mutters to me.

“It’s alright.” My friend is sweet to warn me, but since I pass as a beta, alphas are only marginally dangerous to me.

Some alphas could be mistaken for betas too, but not this one. He walks in like he owns the place. He’s taller than any beta, over seven feet, and muscly. That alone would mark him as an alpha, but the total lack of manners and patience removes any doubt.

“Six pack of cold beer,” he snaps, nostrils flaring as he smells Elaina. She smells like an omega, since she doesn’t take suppressants like I do.

“They’re in the fridge.” Elaina gestures, and doesn’t back down.

The alpha curls his lip, and mutters something about omegas not knowing their place.

“Some of these arseholes expect omegas to fetch and carry for them to hold up their egos,” Elaina comments under her breath as he leaves with his beer. “Anyway, they won’t be your problem soon. When are you leaving on your trip?”

“In three days,” I reply. “I’m deserting you for a whole week.”

“Be careful.” Elaina glances at the door where the alpha left.

“Of what, blisters?” I laugh. “I’ll be fine.”

“No, silly. Everything. Alphas.” Elaina’s brow is puckered with concern. She’s like a big sister to me, and I do love that. Even if she’s fussing about nothing.

“I’m on suppressants,” I remind her. “It’s alright!”

“Just, take care. And phone me!” She holds her hand to her ear.

Shaking my head, I smile. I refuse to believe the fearmongering anymore. Being beside the sea is fine, and I’m going to prove it to myself. “What can go wrong? It’s only walking.”

Chapter 5

Isla

Present

All I can feel is pain, from the inside out. My lungs are burning, my skin is tight and hot, though I’m still wet from the sea. But the worst is between my legs, that’s heated to an unbearable temperature. I can’t even keep my thighs together, it hurts.

But when this stranger is close, it’s better. My head is clearer, and I feel less feverish.

He lifts me into his arms like I weigh nothing, and I cling to him, finding the edge of his T-shirt sleeve and grabbing his biceps.

They’re tattooed, I vaguely realise. Black ink that covers him in patterns of waves and sea animals. I spot the fins of a fish, and the tentacles of an octopus.

The creature. A pulse of fear goes through me, and I must cry out, because the stranger comforts me as he carries me.

A purr. Right from his chest, vibrating into mine, and without knowing what I’m doing, I chirp back.

“Little omega,” he murmurs, then purrs again.