Page 155 of Knot Their Omega

“You used the sample audition I did to secure your deal with the industry and threatened to tell the world I was the one who instigated the deal that swept Suzy out of America and into the hands of those fuckers who did nothing but rape and abuse her!” he shouts and points at his little brother. “You ruinedmy relationship with my parent. Destroyed the friendship I had with the very people in this room. You made me an outcast after pouring my heart and soul into creating a safe space for myself and my dreams and continued to blackmail me to do your bidding, even when I was in Europe!”

“He’s a twin,” Rex whispers.

“Older twin,” James answers. “Nate’s been using his voice the entire time. I found out when I overheard him threatening to leak shit online about him killing Suzy if he didn’t get the audio files in time. I couldn’t say anything because I knew he’d used his tactics on me while acting like an innocent fucker. Today was the only chance I could think of to ‘tell it all’ and quit, knowing nothing can be used against me anymore.”

“I’ve put my life on hold for your success. For you to achieve this level of fame and prosperity you’re desperate to experience like some kind of grand prize!” Nathaníel screams. “And yet, you keep ruining my life. Keep interfering like some sort of disease that wishes to rot every ounce of happiness that sparks in the hollows. You disrespect everyone around you but want to be given respect as if it was earned. We’re all tired of it.”

“All? You’re talking for yourself. I’ve been doing this pack a favor. Without me, this band wouldn’t have reached this far. I’m the mastermind! You guys would have disbanded ages ago!”

“That’s what you think?” Kai speaks up. I see him and Kenji stand up before they walk over to where James and Rex are standing. I notice how they’re holding hands, proving a strong message back to Nate Jr. as he briefly pulls his gaze away to acknowledge the proud display of touch. “That without you, this pack wouldn’t thrive? That we wouldn’t grow closer to one another and walk a path that benefits us as a whole? You don’t acknowledge what an insignificant piece you are in this equation.”

“Insignificant piece?” Nate Jr. exclaims, clearly offended. “I could walk away right now. The pack that I’m helping financially would ADORE me. Take me in with open arms, and we could get whatever Omega I desire that will please every single command that leaves these lips!”

“Then do it.”

All eyes land on me as my cold demeanor proves I’m over this nonsense.

Tired of babysitting this fucker who’s willing to throw our happiness over the bus while preserving everything he desires in life.

The best friend I’ve yearned to protect for all these years no longer exists in the shell of this person standing before me. He’s changed—tainted by those who seek nothing but his own demise—but until he trips and falls into his own downfall, he’ll never see what a blessing our pack really was.

What a blessing having someone like Astraea as our Omega can do to change the course of our success in this world.

“Walk away,” I encourage almost too calmly as I stare right into his eyes while taking the steps needed to land right in front of him. “You talk bullshit again and again, trying to prove that the world needs you like you’re the key piece in keeping us all together, so why not test the theory?”

“Y-You’re being serious?” Nate Jr. mockingly laughs when he looks at me as though I’ve lost my fucking mind. “You guys would be ruined without me!” He gestures to Astraea, who’s still behind Nathaníel. “What? You think because of that BITCH, you guys are going to be successful?!”

I tilt my head enough to make it crack before I enjoy the loud sound of my knuckles cracking, drawing Nate Jr.’s attention to my fingers. They hang loose as I spread them out and wiggle each, but my point has been made.

“That’s the only time I’ll let you insult our Omega in front of my face and let it slide,” I warn with a low voice of emotionless wonder. “Insult her again, though, and you’ll have more than a broken nose, which you should stop wasting time and get checked before it becomes permanently crooked.” He knows from my deadpan look that I’m not joking, which has him hacking before his eyes seem to remain on my neck for a long moment.

“Ah…” he whispers, as if he finally solved a puzzle. “I get it now.” He points a finger my way, taunting it up and down like I’ve been a bad boy, ready to be scolded by his mother. “She claimed you.”

I frown at his words, trying to figure out what he’s talking about, but he points my way before he’s pointing to Kai, then at Kenji. I can see the lightbulb going off in his head, and his manic laughs almost sound agonizing to listen to.

“And you and you. Now, I get it,” he says, more to himself before he’s pointing to Nathaníel. “Guess you’re next, right?!”

“What the fuck are you even talking ab?—”

“SHE CLAIMED Y’ALL!” Nate screams loud enough to make us all flinch.

I instinctively look to Astraea, making sure she’s at a safe distance just in case Nate Jr. is losing his fucking mind.

“You guys think I’m stupid? You guys always think I’m a complete idiot. A fool who can’t see through the lines.” He shakes his head and huffs before wiping away the blood dripping from his nose.

“But I ain’t blind,” he snarls as he glares around the room. “Those marks on your necks have been there for weeks. You think I didn’t notice?”

I feel more confused than ever, but when I glance over at Kai and Kenji, they’re looking at one another and the visible hickey marks on their necks.

The more I think about it, the more I realize we haven’t been too intimate with Astraea these last few days because of everything going on. Heck, aside from kissing, hugs, cuddles, and handholding, we haven’t gotten deep into lovemaking to have hickeys lingering on our flesh.

Which means…

“Wait,” Astraea speaks up. “They’re not going away?” Poor thing sounds confused and almost horrified, but the truth lingers in the air.

They won’t go away… meaning…

Laughter echoes from the side of the room, forcing us to look at Kai as he’s the culprit of the surprisingly happy chuckle.