Page 11 of Knot Their Arrangement

"Right!" I move to the kitchen island, setting my phone down so I can give her my full attention. This is too important to multitask. "The Knot Their Omega Movement just got passed in legislation this afternoon. Like, this is breaking news, Astraea!"

"The what-what now?" She looks at me with that adorably confused expression that makes her look far younger than her nineteen years. "Knot Their Omega?"

"Yup!" I can barely contain my excitement as I explain. "It's an official movement launched by seven top Omegas. Top as in the seven richest Omegas. I believe this has been in the works for months and they were getting donations from other Omegas, similar to a whole donation organization."

My mind races as I try to remember all the details. "Omegas in the six to seven-figure range were donating to this foundation since it was a perfect write-off and to a good cause. Not knowing that this very organization's purpose was to put a stop to Omegas' mistreatment in our society. I forgot the organization name...um...something with a N?"

"Noctuary Larissa Organization for Helpless Omegas?" The name rolls off her tongue with practiced ease, leaving me gaping at her like a fish out of water. Of course she'd know – my brilliant friend never ceases to amaze me.

"Velvet had told me about it when I first started to make real good money with my songwriting," she explains, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I was freaking out when I wrote that song for Eilish and it went triple platinum. She gave me a hefty bonus and I still get royalties from it. I knew taxes were going to be a bitch since I hadn't moved my business to be an abroad corporation, so Velvet advised that I start contributing to this organization."

I listen intently as she continues, "Noctuary Larissa Organization was the only Omega Donation that wasn't being forced to shut down. You know, other organizations were popping up left and right, but when they did background checks of their organizers, they were all Alphas trying to act like Omegas."

"The fucking audacity," I exclaim, unable to hide my disgust. It reminds me too much of my own experiences – Alphas thinking they know what's best for us, trying to control every aspect of our lives while pretending it's for our own good.

"Tell me about it. As if we're not used and abused enough. Why not steal donations meant to help us to add it to the list." The bitterness in her voice mirrors my own feelings. "I wrote a rock song that night, expressing all my anger. It was picked up the next day for seven figures, and that was my first donation to N.L.O. I was fucking proud of that one."

Her face softens as she continues.

"I went to see the organization for themselves and they do what Velvet does. Make Havens across the city and now world, aiding Omegas who've been outcasts and run away."

I notice her hesitation before she adds.

"They've broadened their movement into even helping Omegas who are being forced into marriage."

My heart clenches at those words.

If only I'd known about them before my own near-disaster of an arranged marriage. How many other Omegas could be saved from that fate?

Ember, one of her adorable pomskies, wanders over to her looking sleepy. I watch as Astraea crouches down, her expensive dress forgotten as she shows unconditional love to her fur baby.

"It's one of the reasons why I went on that short trip last week," she reveals while petting Ember. "They've noticed the cultural politics being used against Omegas for financial and political gain and are expediting for it to be banned. They can't do it in every country, but it can start with where they have power and connections and begin to expand with persistence."

The silence that follows is heavy with understanding.

I watch as she pampers Ember, the sight making my heart ache with both love for my friend and regret for those who don't have someone like her in their corner.

I’m privileged to have such an amazing best friend, one of the few supports left in my life when I dare think about it, but what about those Omegas who are all alone in this cruel world?

How are they existing without a daily reminder of potentially ending it all?

"They noticed I'm really passionate about it and since my donations helped fund the initial movement, they want me to be an ambassador or something," she continues modestly. "It's not a big position or anything, but maybe with persistence and more donations, I can make an impact, you know?"

Oh, Astraea. You already make more of an impact than you realize.

She says it like she's expecting an answer, but I know she's really trying to convince herself that her silent efforts matter.

That maybe she can help prevent others from experiencing the pain and rejection we've both faced.

"With this whole movement, maybe things can accelerate in our favor, but you never know." Her voice grows quieter, more contemplative. "In this world where greed is more important than the well-being of vulnerable females and males, you wish to be hopeful, but only a fool would remain in that state of mind. Only makes it hurt more when reality hits."

I watch as she guides Ember back to where Blaze is sleeping. The larger pomsky barely opens his eyes as his sister cuddles up next to him, accepting Astraea's loving head scratch before drifting back to sleep.

When she rises and turns back to me, I know I must look shell-shocked.But how can I not be?My best friend, who everyone dismisses as the "Hermit Omega," is secretly fighting for all of us, using her success to pave the way for change.

"So with this approval of this law, have there been riots and outcries?" she asks, smoothly changing the subject before I can process my emotions.

I blink rapidly, forcing myself to focus.

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