Page 96 of Hard Knot

Time to be the bigger bitch in this suffocating room.

"Well, that's a shame," I say loud enough for everyone to hear. "Since he can't actually see it, can he?"

It's mean, unnecessarily cruel even, but I'm past caring.

The weight of everything; the overheard conversation, the years of isolation, the brief taste of hope that these three Alphas represented. It all comes crashing down, leaving me raw and bitter.

"Move," I tell Victoria, already stepping forward.

She doesn't budge.

Instead, her lips curl into a triumphant smile as she turns to Phillips.

"Sir, shouldn't Miss Abercrombie be made aware that once I'm officially the pack's Omega, she won't be permitted to associate with them?"

The rage that's been simmering beneath my skin threatens to boil over.

Of course, this meeting was pre-arranged.

Of course,Victoria would be here, ready to watch my final humiliation.

The mere idea of not being able to go near Carter makes my heart sink in dread. All that chemistry, the build-up, the sex…god…the sex…All of that is going up in flames because I’m not good enough to be an Omega for anyone.

I really am a Forgotten Omega…

It’s hard to fight the tears that beg to form in my eyes, but I fight against it with every last bit of restraint I can muster.

They don’t deserve my tears.

They haven’t earned the right to see me at my lowest.

I’ve been through worse scenarios.

Chained…and forced…to do things all because of being this damn thing this world obsesses over when it gives them pleasure and solitude.

At this rate, I may be better off dismissed.

Death may have to be the only option to be free from this constant cycle of disappointment and mockery.

The idea really leaves a layer of dread that consumes me. The fact that I have to think of the end to free me into an afterlife that may bring me to a state where I’ll have a new beginning.

Wherever we go after death…

Phillips clears his throat, adjusting his tie.

"Actually, there's a matter we need to discuss before finalizing any contracts. It's why I reached out to you earlier, Ms. Sinclair."

The way he says it —like this was all orchestrated, all planned without my knowledge— makes me want to scream.

Another example of decisions being made about my life without my input.

"Despite their...impressive standings in society," Phillips continues, his eyes darting nervously between the Alphas, "Yourchosen Alphas have a few ‘bounties’ on their head. Each bounty takes away points from their overall score with the government, which has left them at 190. The range must be between 300 which is the bare minimum and 500 which is the top-tier status in all wings of Knot Academy. The pack is short 110 points to qualify as a secured unit for the bare minimum."

His words hang in the air for a moment before he delivers the final blow.

"They'll need to take a fourth Alpha."

The silence that follows is deafening.

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