Page 84 of Hard Knot

"There's more?"

“Oh baby, plenty. We’ll make it a date,” he said with a wink.

The memory fades as one of the Omegas bumps into me deliberately, spilling water from the sink onto my uniform skirt.

"Oops," she says with fake sweetness. "So clumsy of me."

I meet her gaze in the mirror, letting a slow smile spread across my face.

"No worries. Water dries. Unlike the reputation you're building for yourself with that Alpha from the North Wing." Her eyes widen as I continue casually, "You know, the one you've been meeting behind the library? Pretty sure his actual mate would love to hear all about it."

She backs away quickly, her face pale. The whispers behind me take on a more urgent tone as I finish touching up my makeup.

It always enlightens me when these bitches think that because I’ve been here the longest, I’m easy prey to mess with. It’s their failure to acknowledge how observant I am.

I watch, listen, and remember shit. Anything that can be weaponized is exactly what I keep in the depths of my mind to use against anyone who tries me.

They say knowledge is key, but so is gossip. Use it the right way and you can fuck up someone’s entire life.

My phone buzzes with a text from Carter.

"Hurry up Princess. Holmes is threatening to leave without you."

I roll my eyes, knowing Holmes would never actually leave — not when Felix and Carter have made it clear they're keeping me around.Also, Holmes isn’t driving…obviously. So as much as he’d like to leave me, that’s Felix’s call.

Still, no need to antagonize him more than necessary.

At least, not this early in the morning. I could easily walk to the part of the school we need to go to so the guys can finalize their admissions, but no. They don’t want me walking 20 minutes in heels.

As I head for the door, another Omega steps into my path. She has to be new since I don't recognize her from previous encounters.

"You think you're so special," she starts, but I cut her off with a wave of my hand.Let’s not waste time.

"Listen, I've got three very impatient Alphas waiting outside, and one of them feeds people to piranhas for fun. The longer I take, the greater the blackmail, and frankly, I may be a bitch, but I have a heart on my good days, which so happens to be this fine morning on a late start. Want to pick this fight another time?"

Her mouth opens and closes soundlessly as I brush past her, adding over my shoulder, "Besides, that shade of lip gloss is all wrong for your skin tone. Try something warmer. It'll help with the whole 'jealous and bitter' vibe you're going for."

The door swings shut behind me, cutting off whatever response she might have had.

Outside, I spot the CyberTruck instantly — it's hard to miss with Felix leaning against the hood, his tech-enhanced glasses reflecting the morning sun while Carter paces impatiently nearby.

I don’t get why they’re antsy this morning. From what I’ve noticed with Carter, he doesn’t pace, so that means he wants to be somewhere on time.

Holmes stands apart from them, his posture rigid with barely contained annoyance. The silk blindfold catches the light as he turns toward the sound of my approaching footsteps.

"You're late," he states flatly.

"And you're grumpy," I counter, moving past him to plant a quick kiss on Carter's cheek. "But we all have our crosses to bear."

Felix snorts while Carter pulls me closer, his nose brushing against my neck as he inhales deeply.

"You changed your perfume," he murmurs.

"Had to," I reply, tilting my head to give him better access. "Someone made me sweat off the other one this morning."

“Oh really?” he taunts, immediately looking calm before pressing his forehead against mine while taking a deeper inhale. “Fuck, you smell too good. I can fuck you again real quick.”

“In ten minutes? I don’t think so. Plus, taking this itchy uniform off is such a pain.”

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