Page 93 of Hard Knot

Tedious situations that force you to overcome them.

Whether that’s physical challenges, intellectual debates, or turmoiling consequences you’ll have to pull yourself out of because no one outside of your pack is responsible for your salvation.

Or demise.

"We could take another route," I suggest quietly, watching heads turn as we pass. A group of freshman Omegas practically plaster themselves against the lockers to let us by, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and fascination.

"This route is perfectly fine," Carter replies, his tone brooking no argument. His jaw is still set in that hard line that appeared when James mentioned our shared past. The tension radiates off him in waves, making other students scramble to get out of our path.

We round the corner toward the main office where Felix had texted us to meet. The polished wooden door is slightly ajar, voices drifting out into the hallway. When we enter the office, we have to further head down a hallway, the last office on the right side is slightly open while the one next to it at the end has its door wide open.

I recognize Felix's measured tones and Holmes's deeper rumble, along with a third voice I don't immediately place.

Carter reaches for the door handle but freezes as the unknown voice states something none of us are expecting.

"Abercrombie isn't a suitable candidate for your pack."

My heart stutters in my chest.

Carter's hand tightens around mine as we both go still, listening in.

I hear Felix sigh — that particular sound like he's trying to maintain his patience.

"And why would that be?"

"Well," the voice, which I now recognize as Administrator Phillips, continues with an air of practiced condescension, "as you can see from her file, she's been here for five years. None of the packs that showed interest met her... standards." He says the word like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth. "She's obviously a rebel and seems content to remain that way until we have to dismiss her at the end of the year."

My body goes rigid at his words.

D-Dismiss? When…was it mentioned I’d be dismissed?

I hadn’t finished reading the forms so maybe it was mentioned there, but if that’s the case, fuck.

I don’t just need to find a pack. I HAVE to if I’m going to make it to the end of the year.

Hard Knot Semesters are like any other school. In this case, September to December is the first semester. It’s shorter compared to January to June Semester which leads to summer vacation, because it’s meant to encourage initial Omegas to swiftly find their Alphas and leave before the holiday break.

That’s the normal circumstance that happens.

They’re not like me who seems compatible with no one.

Carter's thumb strokes across my knuckles, a silent gesture of support, but I barely feel it through the rush of adrenaline flooding my system.

"What exactly does 'dismiss' mean?" Holmes asks, his voice carrying that dangerous edge I've come to recognize from a few phone calls he made this morning in the car. It’s threatening and yet a tone that analyzes his options.

Either way, he’s not immediately pushing away the idea…

Which means…

Phillips sighs, and I can perfectly picture him adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses — a nervous habit he displays when he's about to say something particularly unpleasant but must do for the sake of his “position”.

I’m sure right now though, he’s enjoying this.

He hates my guts.

"Obviously, cut off the block." He pauses to emphasize his point. "Though she has the looks, so she'll likely be offered to the government first. They can decide if she's better suited for laboratory services or...alternative placement."

My blood runs cold as his meaning becomes clear. Carter's grip becomes almost crushing, but I welcome the pain.

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