Page 5 of Knot Their Arrangement

I clap my hands excitedly, already envisioning the perfect scenario.

"Kamar—"

"Mafia Heir. Twenty-five? Hmm. That's even ground. A safe age gap. Can't be a cocky bastard, but he sometimes has to remind himself and everyone around him that he can ruin everyone's lives in a heartbeat."

This is the one thing I’m good at. Creating as if I’m manifesting reality with a stroke of a feather pen. It’s one of the many reasons my Father disdained me.

Kamari and her constant daydreaming! If you can’t get your mind out of the gutter, be a useful Omega and find a pack that can aid our business’ foundations!

The memory tries to ruin my vibe, reminding me of the abusive chaos I desperately ran from like everything else unfolding before me walking down that aisle of holy matrimony.

"Here we go," she groans, rising from her spot.

"Where are you going?" I pout, fumbling with my Kindle that decides now is the perfect time to update. "Ah! Stupid update. I need to show you this quote that would emphasize where I'm going with this."

"I'm going to shower for my own sanity," she declares, gathering her things. "I also have to do laundry. Scent-blocking panties are getting fucking expensive out here. I had to get rid of my last five pairs."

I gasp in horror, doing quick mental math.

"F-F-F-FIVE?!" My fingers count out the tragedy. "How much is that going to cost you?"

"When I checked yesterday's rate, a whopping five stacks."

She points accusingly at our furry culprits, who pause their paper-shredding mission to bounce over to her with innocent expressions.

"Ugh, no!" She barely gets the words out before they tackle her. "Blaze and Ember! Have mercy on me!"

"Woof! Woof!"

Watching her giggle and play with them, despite everything weighing on her shoulders, makes my heart swell. How someone so talented and beautiful can also be so genuine is beyond me.

"What?" she asks, catching my soft expression.

"There's not a day that goes by where I don't thank my goddess for providing me this opportunity to start anew," I whisper, letting my guard down as I only do with her. "Without you...after that day...I really didn't envision a future. The rejected Omega who dares disgrace her family."

I try to smile, but the weight of everything catches up to me.

The truth of what a disgrace I feel like…

"Society says being an Omega should be deemed a blessing. A privilege. A gift bestowed on us females that accent various qualities and attributes only we can grace to chosen men worthy of our presence." The words taste bitter on my tongue. "So why do so many of us think of it as nothing but a curse?"

The silence that follows speaks volumes.

"We can't run away from destiny forever," I murmur, more to myself than her. "Even if it's so easy to act blind when the signs are everywhere."

I clutch my Kindle closer, trying to hide how my hands shake slightly.

"If Velvet suggests you start attending these meets...do it," I encourage, despite the memories that threaten to surface. "But Astraea?"

"Yes, Kamari?"

The use of my full name shows she's listening intently.

"Whatever pack you end up choosing...make sure there's a spark. For once in your life...you can envision what it would be like to love them. To be their Omega." Our eyes lock, and I pour all my concern and hope into my next words. "If it's just a transaction in their eyes, walk away. They're not worthy of you."

I head to the door but pause with my hand on the knob.

"Don't let them steal that beautiful spark of yours. If you lose that...it's even harder to re-kindle it back to its burning glory."

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