Page 58 of Knot Their Arrangement

He nods slowly, approval radiating from him in waves that make my Omega instincts purr. The simple gesture carries more weight than any flowery declarations of equality I've heard before.

I swallow hard against the nervous lump forming in my throat. This is uncharted territory – an Alpha who seems to genuinely care about my pleasure, who waits for my real opinions instead of accepting conditioned responses.

"I wouldn't mind exploring this..." I gesture vaguely between us, not quite sure how to define what's happening. "Whatever this is. Though I don't want to bring trouble with me." The admission comes with a hint of bitterness. "My life is a mess, and I hide in the Safe Haven because Alphas don't have easy access there."

I pause, gathering my courage before adding.

"But maybe for tonight... I don't mind getting lost in actually enjoying an Alpha or two instead of feeling afraid of their existence."

The words hang between us, heavy with implication. I've spent so long running from Alphas, seeing them as threats to be avoided. Yet here I sit, contemplating something that goes against everything I've been taught about proper Omega behavior.

But isn't that what I've been doing all along? Running from my wedding, choosing my own path, reading books that show different possibilities for Omega life? Every step I've taken has been a small rebellion against the system that tried to cage me.

And this wouldn't be my first act of defiance.

I think back to that night when I chose to give my virginity to a stranger rather than save it for an arranged marriage. How liberating it felt to make that choice for myself, to experience pleasure on my own terms.

This feels similar – another choice, another moment where I get to decide what happens to my body, my pleasure, my future. The fact that it's happening in public, while I'm wearing traditional dress, only adds another layer of defiance to the act.

Damon's presence is intoxicating, his scent wrapping around me like the finest silk. But it's more than just physical attraction.

There's something about how he treated me tonight – the respect in his patience, the heat in his gaze, the way he waits for my real answers instead of accepting programmed responses.

How he stood up for me without a second thought, playing into a scenario that could have been very dangerous if the right moves weren’t played at the correct instance.

Even Kieran's quiet observation adds to the moment rather than detracting from it. His mismatched eyes hold no judgment, only careful consideration and something that might be approval.

They're so different from the Alphas I'm used to – those who see Omegas as property to be claimed, as vessels for their pleasure without regard for ours.

These men seem to understand something fundamental about desire:that it's sweetest when freely given, most powerful when it flows both ways.

The realization makes me bolder.

I might be young, might be running from a past that threatens to catch up with me at any moment, but right now, in this dimly lit booth with vanilla ice cream melting on our tongues and desire burning in our veins, none of that matters.

For once, I want to chase pleasure instead of running from pain.

The thought is liberating – dangerous, perhaps, but isn't that what makes it exciting?

To choose connection over fear, to explore desire with Alphas who seem to value my pleasure as much as their own.

I'm tired of being afraid.

Tired of letting my past dictate my future.

Tired of seeing every Alpha as a potential threat rather than a possible source of pleasure.

Maybe it's time to write my own story.

Damon’s gaze never wavers from mine, the smirk on his lips deepening as I lick mine again, chasing the ghost of vanilla that lingers there.

The anticipation in his expression makes my stomach clench, heat pooling low as he leans in, his lips barely brushing mine as he murmurs,

"Does our ribelle principessa want more ice cream?"

His voice is sin, rich and decadent, wrapping around me like silk. I can feel the presence of Kieran at my side, the weight of his attention pressing against my skin, but I don’t dare look away from Damon.

The darken hues of his eyes flicker with possessive hunger, and it makes my breath hitch.

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