Page 50 of Knot Their Omega

“No.” He doesn’t even try to lie. “But when I see talent, I’ll be someone’s biggest reinforcement in our sinister world. You know, for most artists, that’s all they need. That big pushin the beginning and little ones in between. That continued encouragement that they can achieve exactly what they’ve imagined in the depths of their mind in the early hours of the day before bed. Their dreams are at arm’s length with the right resources and a golden opportunity. I can bring that chance to their doorstep.”

He turns to his side, using his right arm to prop up his head as he looks down at me.

“My support can either unlock one’s true determination to become the star they’re destined to be with their talent, or it can ignite those other pesky emotions.”

“Other pesky emotions.”

“Self-doubt. Anger. Fear. Cockiness,” he names a few. “That’s a determining factor that will either make or break them. You get too into your self-doubt, and the opportunity gone in a flash. You get angry with your circumstances being less than others in the past, then you become greedy and lose the joy of potential success thanks to useless comparisons. There’s the fear that can keep you paralyzed long enough to lose your pitch moment with those who can make it happen, and you can imagine how far cockiness can get you.”

“Were you cocky in the beginning?” I can’t help but ask.

“No,” he admits. Despite his obvious smirk, I see the truth in his eyes. “I couldn’t be. I had a lot at stake. My parents didn’t even know what the fuck I was doing until I was trending in the entertainment industry. Heck, I’m not sure even I knew what I was doing.”

He looks relaxed as he continues to keep our softened gaze. I can’t even pull away from our loving stare, even as he reaches out to run his hands through my hair.

“You were just working on autopilot?” I’m trying to envision myself in his shoes.

“I guess.” He doesn’t seem sure. “You know when you’re striving so hard to prove something to the world, and suddenly, you’re on the verge of losing it all? I didn’t realize how much I wanted to be a part of this industry until it was about to slip from my grasp. It left me gasping to survive. To take those necessary steps to get ahead. The first time my dad acknowledged my drive. I’ve always never taken shit seriously, but proving to the world that someone’s a fucking star? That level of redemption and forced admission is a high that never gets old.”

“It’s like you always want to see your clients win,” I affirm.

“Always,” he agrees. “But sometimes, along the path, they forget that’s why I’m in their lives. Once fame hits, you’re slammed with a new set of problems no one talks about. The fame gets to everyone’s head, especially if they’ve never experienced its addictive high. They begin to think they’re invincible, and everyone has to bow to their existence because they’re not a one-hit-wonder yet. Sometimes, it’s fascinating enough that I think it should be researched because the switch is from night to day.”

“And what happens if you can’t get them down from Cloud Nine?” I inquire with great interest.

“They come falling down like tumbling bricks,” he says with a quiet chuckle. “Then they’re begging me to fix it before they’re a cleaned-out act on the streets again.”

“Do you help them?”

“No.”

I’m surprised by his firm answer.

“I’ll admit, I’m a little shocked by that,” I confess.

“I know,” he says as his eyes further softened. “I used to. In the beginning. When I was still naive and hopeful in helping every single person I could. Some would say I was the Talent Knight in Shining Armor. It was a blessing at first, but artists take advantage of that. As though I can fix their drug addictionor the friends they bargain millions with, thinking I’m supposed to sweep in and clean their plate.”

He shakes his head.

“One time, it got too messy. I don’t like relying on my parents for anything because they deal with enough shit on their own plates, but it was that bad. Could have ended my career in a heartbeat.”

My hand is already outward and brushing along his cheek, my touch easing the tension creeping into his face at the memory. He gives me an appreciative smirk before he closes his eyes for a few seconds.

“My parents came through, and my pack brother, Kai, had to close the loose ends. It was the wake-up call I needed to never go over and beyond for anyone again. Not for clients that can turn on you in a heartbeat.”

“So they betrayed you?” I whisper the words. He can tell they’re laced with irony and hints of anger.

“Betrayed and left to be ruined by the savage mutts waiting to rip me out of showbiz for good,” he hums like it’s something worth celebrating. ”Almost had me. Can’t lie there.” He opens his eyes, which display rooted determination. “But I ended up being the victor, and once you’ve tasted victory when you were seconds from the brink of destruction, you ensure it never happens again.”

“Why do you think I won’t betray you?” I ask out of curiosity. “You don’t know me.”

“You’re right,” he agrees and lets his thumb run along my bottom lip, parting them slightly. “Yet, I’m willing to take that risk because my gut tells me you wouldn’t do such a thing, Little Omega.”

I feel a sense of comfort with his words.

“I still think you should have some sort of bargain,” I mutter as if I’m disappointed. I’m not, and he knows it from his expression that brightens with amusement.

“Well, we could arrange something,” he assures me. “Seal it with another round of bedroom shenanigans.”

---