Page 25 of Knot Their Arrangement

The ambiance of control mixed with a level of intrigue that taunts me every single time…

The night air carries a hint of that Omega's scent that has him so intrigued. I can only catch a glimpse of the unique mix of sweet and spice haunting the air like this Omega’s first interaction with Ezekiel seems to be haunting him constantly.

I dislike that…

I take another drag of my cigarette, letting the smoke fill my lungs as I contemplate what he told me about her.

A woman in a saree, running through the night like she's racing against time itself.

What would she look like?

I know Ezekiel well enough to understand why he's so fixated. Finding any Omega with even a fraction of his cultural background has been like searching for a specific star in an endless galaxy.

It's not that diversity doesn't exist in our city –it does, hidden in pockets and shadows– but it's become an underground commodity rather than a celebrated reality.

The criminal underworld has made sure of that.

My lip curls as I think about what I've witnessed in my position as head of the largest criminal enterprise in the city. The way Omegas are traded like rare art pieces, each ethnicity fetishized and commodified according to whatever exotic fantasy the buying pack wants to fulfill.

The things I've seen would make even hardened detectives lose sleep.

Omegas being shipped back to countries they've never even visited, simply because they fit a cultural stereotype some pack is willing to pay millions for.

Japanese Omegas sent to yakuza families, Russian Omegas to European crime syndicates, Indian Omegas to traditional packs seeking to maintain their "pure" bloodlines…the list goes on and on.

It's all fucking bullshit.

And now with this new movement...

I take another long drag, watching the smoke curl into the night air. Things are only going to get worse before they get better. The underground markets will explode as traditional packs panic about losing their control.

They'll rush to secure "culturally appropriate" Omegas before the new laws can take effect.

More trafficking.

More violence.

More bodies in that fucking forest.

But what really pisses me off is how enthralled Ezekiel seemed by this mystery woman. I've never seen him react this way to an Omega before.

Usually, he's as detached as I am when it comes to potential mates, both of us too wrapped up in our complicated dynamic to seriously consider adding another person to the mix.

Yet this Omega interests him…

Anything drawing so much intrigue will get his brain moving. It’s exactly why he does so well in the realm of detective work. Discover the initial scene, gather the evidence, and put all the pieces together until you find that missing link.

Then you solve the crime everyone struggles to get leads on.

He’s brought up this Omega multiple times in our conversations, both consciously and unconsciously

Meaning he likes her.

Intrigued…

Will go on a fucking hunt as if this is his newfound mission assigned by the very government.

Take his attention away from me…

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