Page 51 of Knot Their Arrangement

"He has very…specific ideas about an Omega's purpose," she continues, her hands clenching into fists in her lap. "According to him, we exist solely to pop out babies and fuck brutally with his pack and anyone else he invites to use his 'property.' And if that means the whole damn town gets a turn? So be it."

The casual way she describes such abuse makes my blood run cold.

Even Damon's hand stills in her hair, his expression darkening with each word. We've both seen enough of the world's darkness to know she's not exaggerating – if anything, she's probably downplaying the horror of her situation.

These kinds of arrangements aren't uncommon in certain circles, especially among wealthy traditional families.

Omegas treated as breeding stock, as toys to be passed around at their Alpha's whim. It's one of the many reasons I started writing – to expose these practices, to give voice to those who suffer in silence.

But hearing it described so matter-of-factly by someone so young...

The writer in me wants to document every detail, to craft her experience into a story that might help others escape similar fates.

The man in me wants to hunt down this Maharaja and his pack, to make them suffer for every moment of pain they've caused.

And I know I'm not alone in that desire.

I can see it in the way Damon's jaw clenches, in how his fingers have shifted from playing with her hair to resting possessively on the back of her neck. His protective instincts are clearly warring with his strategic mind – wanting to shelter her while simultaneously calculating how to best use this information.

The tension in our booth has shifted, becoming something heavier, more dangerous. Even the ambient sounds of Cardinal's VIP section seem muted, as if the very air recognizes the gravity of what's being revealed.

Kamari seems oblivious to the effect her words are having on us, too caught up in finally being able to voice her truth.

“Controlling, possessive, but not in an attractive way. It’s all in a way to diminish another. Anyone he deems is below him or low enough to what he’d consider walking-over-level must abide by everything he requests, no matter how sinister. If it means you’re losing your life in the process, so be it. That’s the least one can do with the rare opportunity of being in his and his pack’s presence.”

The words continue to pour out of her, each one adding another layer to the picture of abuse and objectification she escaped from.

No wonder she ran.

But running from someone like Maharaja Adhiraj Vikram Singh isn't as simple as leaving him at the altar.

Men like that don't accept rejection – they see it as a challenge to be overcome, a slight to be avenged. The fact that Prince Rajveer is already aware of her presence here suggests the net is closing around her — faster than she realizes.

She needs protection.

The thought comes unbidden, but I know it's true.

As I watch her continue her impassioned explanation, I can't help but think of how perfectly she might fit into our unconventional pack.

How our various skills and connections could keep her safe while allowing her the freedom to grow into herself.

If she's willing to take that risk.

If we're willing to take that chance.

"—and his smell," Kamari's voice cuts through my contemplation, drawing me back to her ongoing critique of her almost-husband. "Goddess, his smell was probably the worst part. He and his whole pack smelled horrendous."

Now that's interesting.

"How did they smell to you?" I ask, genuinely curious.

Scent compatibility is one of the most crucial factors in pack dynamics, yet it's rarely discussed so openly.

I take another deep breath, letting her scent wash over me again. I'd noticed it the moment we entered Cardinal – jasmine and cardamom mixed with something sweeter, like wild berries warmed by the sun. There's a deeper note underneath, and the best way to put it is the smell you take in when you’re surrounded by books in the heart of a library.

It's...intoxicating.

I've never encountered an Omega who smelled quite so appealing, which might explain why I've been unusually relaxed in her presence. Even now, hours after first meeting her, her scent continues to entrance me.

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