Death isn't an option

I f*****g knew it

Chapter five

“I f*****g knew it”

Juniper POV

My eyes open slowly and groggily. I’m in a room that isn’t mine, laying on a soft and comfortable mattress. The lights are on, illuminating a bathroom, closet, and door. What the f**k is going on? I need to get out. I try to sit up immediately, only to realize that my hands are tied to the bed. So are my legs.

My hands are tied together and fastened to the headpost. My legs are tied to the two corners of the bed. s**t.

My clothes are still on and seemingly intact, and I’m not sore between my legs, meaning I didn’t get raped. Always a plus. Still, what is happening?

Instead of allowing myself to become a heaving and sobbing mess, I get my s**t together. I’m thankful that my hands are tied together, because I can maneuver both of them to get out by dislocating my thumbs.

After I was sexually assaulted a few years ago I took several self defense classes. Escaping being bound was a course that was thoroughly covered.

As I’m preparing for a world of agony the door opens. Knox walks into the room, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

“How are you feeling?” He asks.

“I’m tied to a f*****g bed. How the hell do you think I’m feeling?”

He chuckles. “Fair enough.”

“Can you please untie me?”

“No.” No. No? How f*****g dare he say no to my simple request?

“Let’s try this again. Untie me, or I will scream at the top of my lungs until I lose my voice.”

He shrugs. “I guess that’s your choice.”

“I have a loud voice. It’ll annoy the s**t out of you.”

“Listen, Juniper, I am not going to untie you, because I know you’ll escape. The self defense you used on me in that classroom proves that you know what you’re doing, and I’m not taking any chances. I need you here with me. You’re my mate, and I’m not letting you go.”

“Wait, that Hollywood s**t about werewolves having mates is a real thing?”

He nods at me as if I’m slow.

“And I’m your mate?”

Another nod.

“Great. I’m just gonna go ahead and say that I’m happy being single. I don’t do relationships anymore, let alone the whole soulmate thing. So if you could just untie me and point me to the door that would be lovely.”

He growls. “You are not leaving me. Not now, not ever. I don’t care if it’s by your own will or by force, you are my other half and you will stay that way. I am Alpha of this pack, and you will be by my side as my Luna.”

“f**k you!” I spit at him. “I am nobody’s property! You have no right to keep me tied to a bed here! What the hell are you thinking? This is no way to win my love! Back the f**k off!”

Of all things he can do, he starts laughing. He then stands up and walks to the door. “We’ll discuss this more in the morning. Try to get some rest in the meantime. Goodnight, mate.”

As he’s opening the door to leave I bark out “f**k you, Knox!”

I can hear his chuckle even after he closes the door.

Okay. Now that he’s gone I’m in the clear to jump into action.

I brace myself for the ridiculous amount of pain I’m about to go through, and pop one thumb out of place. Despite my best efforts I yelp quietly. Hopefully it’s quiet enough that nobody hears. I repeat the same action with my other thumb before wriggling my hands out. The pain in my hands is excruciating, but I imagine it’s no worse than what would happen if I stay tied down.

I lean forward and use my fore and middle fingers to untie my ankles. It’s painful and annoying, but after struggling for about ten minutes I get it done.

God, I can’t believe what’s happening. Can’t believe that Knox turned into a wolf, and I subsequently attempted suicide, and then found out that I’m his mate. I don’t know what came over me with the suicide, though. I guess I didn’t want someone else to have the satisfaction of killing me when I could just kill myself.

In all honesty, a part of me always suspected the supernatural. When I was younger I used to go on hikes a lot, and I remember one time seeing two wolves fighting. I hid behind a tree and they paid no attention to me. They were bigger than normal wolves, and seemed conscious of what they were doing. The fight seemed to aggressive for just a basic animal instinct. One of them bit the others shoulder, and I turned around, fighting the fear of blood I once had. Suddenly I saw two naked men run by, one of them bleeding heavily from the shoulder. I ran in the opposite direction, trying to get back home, but ended up tripping and hitting my head. When I came to I was in the hospital. I chalked up everything I saw to hallucinations from hitting my head, because I couldn’t find a logical explanation for what happened.

I stand up slowly, fighting dizziness. Then I quietly walk to the door and test the handle. It’s unlocked. I tiptoe down a hall and reach a set of marble stairs. I trot down them without making a single noise, and manage to get to the front door. As quietly as I possibly can I open it, step out into the night, and run like a maniac.

By some sheer dumb luck I discover that my phone is still in my back pocket, and use it to call an Uber. When I get home I attempt to suppress my panic.

“Mom? Dad? Ian?” I yell while running in. They all emerge from the family room before hounding me with questions.

“Juniper? It’s 12am! What’s going on?”

Shit. I can’t very well tell them that I got kidnapped by a werewolf.

“Long story short. I’m bulimic again. I went on a walk in the forest to clear my mind before telling you, and got lost. While trying to get out I fell and f****d up my thumbs. Then I finally found a road and called an Uber, and here I am.”

I expect them to yell at me, but instead they all come and envelope me into a loving hug. The next hour is spent discussing how to move forward. After deciding that I need therapy, I ask if I can take a small vacation first.

“I really just need to escape this town for a few days” I tell them.

When my parents passed away they left me a fortune. I can travel anywhere in the world, stay anywhere I want, and not even notice the loss in my bank account.

To my shock, they understand.

“What are you thinking, baby?” Dad asks.

“I don’t know. Just a vacation or something for a few days or a week. Somewhere where I can enjoy myself and subsequently get my s**t together.”

“Alone?” Ian asks.

I nod. I have extended family and connections pretty much everywhere.

After discussing how I’ll stay in touch and keep up on school, my mom asks the fundamental question.

“Where?”

“London” I answer without thinking twice. I’ve always wanted to go to London. I also have extended family that’s on the board at The Ritz hotel.

The next few hours are spent packing and relocating my thumbs.