Page 11 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

I knew that I’d have to hide my scent from them at all costs. Luckily, my clothes and belongings were always clean and scentless due to my uncle’s rules. The only thing I ever used on myself was my lab created perfume, devoid of the true omega pheromones that would send alphas into a frenzy. I didn’t even want to use that around Pack Lockwood. Quickly, I gathered all the scent-blocking spray I could find and packed my suppressants. I’d get through this, just like I got through everything else in my life.

Once my bags were packed, I trudged down the long staircase down to the foyer. My uncle was there, along with Sterling. My uncle stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. He was always awkward with sentimental things. “Don’t fear, Celeste. This will all be over before you know it.” I nodded, putting on the icy front that had become my shield. “And please try to keep your cool around them. I trust you’ll do your duty to the company.” His comments always managed to get under my skin. Despite my wit and my years of success, I felt he always thought of me as just another omega, emotional and in need of guidance. “Update me daily. There’s so much hanging on the next quarter. You will have a dedicated workspace while you stay with Pack Lockwood, so there’s no reason to fall behind with work.” At least I’d have a private office to use. I still needed to run my company, after all.

“I’ll be fine, uncle.” I said, then turned to Sterling. “Well, let’s get on with it.” He nodded, his eyes unreadable as he took my bags. We walked to the car and I got into the backseat, where I took a last look at the family estate as he started driving. I had to prepare myself for the next few months. I could do it. I just needed to be strong.

“Miss Harringday, are you alright?” Sterling asked from the front. I startled at his voice. He rarely spoke to me.

“I’m fine.” I replied, then went back to watching the land pass by. The Lockwood compound was not too far away. Almost all the wealthy residents lived in the same area of town. It was only thirty minutes before we pulled up to the Lockwood property, and I looked at it with sick curiosity. It was gated, and the guard at the front nodded us in, clearly expecting my arrival.

The house was large, though not nearly as large as my family’s. That was to be expected. The pack had only recently gained success, and didn’t have generational wealth like I did. Still, the place was impressive, with a long driveway, multiple garages, and a beautifully landscaped lawn.

We pulled up to the front, where Vigo stood waiting outside. I mentally braced myself to face him. I’d have to pass directly by him, and my body was already keening at the thought of being close to my scent match. Sterling looked back at me from the driver’s seat. “I’d like to carry your bags in, Miss Harringday.” His deep voice was laced with concern, and I tried not to let it bother me that my uncle’s assistant felt pity for me.

I nodded and he got out to open my door. I put my sunglasses on, not willing to have any of the pack look me in the eyes just yet. Sterling helped me out, his hand the only thing grounding me as I stepped onto enemy territory. He gathered my belongings as I approached the house. Vigo smiled, but there was nothing warm about it.

“Welcome, Celeste. I’ll be giving you the tour, after which we will get down to business. We have a lot to plan out for the next few months.” I walked toward him, ready to give him a biting response, when I caught a whiff of him. The comforting scent of leather and rich amber hit my nose, and I wished I could turn off my sense of smell altogether. I was prepared for it this time, though. I knew my body would be drawn to him, and that I’d want to get closer to him. But my mind was braced.

“Be a gentleman and carry a bag at least, won’t you?” I said through gritted teeth as I shoved my designer bag into his arms. I used the moment to give my aching omega side some relief by getting closer to him than I should have. It made my omega senses keen, and I got another breathful of his incredible, masculine scent. His blue eyes widened as he grabbed at the bag, but he quickly recovered and followed me as I stormed inside the house.

“Hey, you don’t even know where you’re going!” He shouted after me as I stepped into the home. It was a mistake to go inside.

My senses were assaulted by the combined fragrance of all three of them; my scent matches. I stopped in my tracks, and Vigo caught up, standing in front of me. “You can’t just walk around like you own this place! You may get whatever you want outside of here, but in our home, there are rules!” He growled, his body mere inches from mine. I was so glad I had my sunglasses on. I was sure I’d be giving him heart eyes at the way he looked right now, all riled up and ruffled. I wanted to jump him, as bad as that was. I tried to push my hormones aside.

“Well, get on with the tour then. I’m not used to being around someone so disorganized.” I spat back at him. Vigo looked like he was a few seconds away from snarling at me.

“Please show us to Miss Harringday’s room.” Sterling’s calm voice rang out behind us. For some reason, Vigo decided that a beta who worked for my uncle was worth more courtesy than me. He looked at him and nodded.

“Right this way.” Vigo turned and strode down the hallway, and I begrudgingly followed. This place was absolutely flooded with their scents, and it was going to be one hell of a prison.

We made our way through the house, and I looked around at the sleek, modern design. I hated that I liked it. I wished they had poor design taste, or were messy, or some other flaw I could hold onto. Finally, we made it to a guest wing that mercifully smelled neutral. I could tell they didn’t come here often, and it would at least be bearable for me to sleep here.

“Your room.” Vigo’s voice was cold as he waved his arm at the guest casita, which was attached to the main house with only a hallway. The place was actually kind of cute. It had a large bed, a desk, and a decent-sized closet, along with its own bathroom. “You’ll be able to work from here. Anything you need, you can order in.” Vigo’s voice seemed nonchalant as he waited for Sterling to set down my luggage.

“I need a moment with Miss Harringday.” Sterling said as he looked at Vigo. I frowned, wondering what the beta could want from me. Vigo paused, as if he didn’t want to leave us. I put my hands on my hips and faced him.

“What? Am I not allowed privacy here?” I said, and Vigo just curled his lip and walked out. I sighed, glad that his scent wasn’t filling the guest house any longer.

“What is it?” I asked, suddenly aware that this was the first time I had ever been alone with Sterling. He looked just as sterile as he smelled, which is just how my uncle wanted everyone around me. His grey eyes bored into mine.

“Just a few things. First, don’t trust a single person during your stay here.” I rolled my eyes behind my sunglasses. If this was the kind of advice my uncle thought to relay to me, they sorely underestimated me. “Stay in your room as much as possible. Don’t mingle with them. No matter what they say, these people are working against you and have reason to harm you. Remember that.” I nodded at his words, but I needed to leave the room if I was to find out more about this pack. I knew they were getting information from someone, and if it wasn’t Arnault, then it meant we had an internal leak in the company. “And lastly, if you need to leave, for any reason, call me directly and I’ll get you out, no questions asked.” Sterling slipped me a paper with his number on it. I usually never interacted with my uncle’s staff, as he frowned upon it. I set the paper aside and faced Sterling.

“Thank you, but if I leave early I’ll void the contract. I intend to see this through.” I replied, and he stared at me for a long moment before nodding once and heading out. Sterling almost seemed to want to stay here, and I wondered yet again what it was about me that made everyone think I couldn’t handle myself. Even if my uncle wanted to pay Sterling to stay here as a guard, there wasn’t much he could do against three alphas.

Once I was alone, I let out another sigh, knowing that this was just the start of my tribulations. At least the casita was decent. I could tell the pack, or whoever they hired to decorate this place did their job well. There were high quality linens for the bed, and the furniture was new. There was even a small fridge, which I planned on using for snacks and small meals. The more I could avoid this pack, the better.

I started unpacking my things, hanging my dresses in the closet and sorting my clothes for the next few months. According to the contract, there would be one planned public outing per week to keep up appearances.

Tonight, I was to make the announcement I was dreading the most - publicly admitting that I’d been wrong about the Pack Lockwood and their kidnapping conspiracy. Worse still, I had to claim that I’d come to admire them so deeply that we’d entered a relationship. The very thought made my stomach twist, torn between the urge to be sick and the humiliating ache of wanting them anyway. I had no idea how I was going to pull this off.

I trusted Bella, who had been kidnapped in my place. She told me in confidence that Pack Lockwood was behind it, and it made perfect sense. No one else stood to gain as much satisfaction as them if I had missed that vote. Also, I needed to find hard evidence that they had something to gain from the proposed merger. I knew they would benefit from it slightly, but none of what I had found would be enough evidence to build a strong case against them. Once I could tie the pieces together, I might get actual proof that they planned the kidnapping. Then I could take them down for good.

I was almost done unpacking when I heard a knock at the door. “Celeste? If you’re done settling in, then it’s time I show you a more complete tour. Also, your announcement needs to go out tonight.” Vigo’s voice rumbled through the door. I hated that I liked his deep, soothing voice, even when he was telling me what to do. I marched to the door and swung it open.

“Fine. Give me the grand tour.” I snapped as Vigo stepped back. I brushed past him, holding my breath.

“You already saw the foyer and the guest house. I’ll show you where the kitchen is, though I’m sure you won’t be using it much.” I rolled my eyes at his dig. Yes, an omega like me didn’t cook often. But it was because I was so busy managing a company. I had to hire a private chef to make most of my meals to save time. He led me to the kitchen, which was a gorgeous blend of white and emerald tile, with black cabinets and deep bronze accents. If I didn’t already have a massive home with my own kitchen, I’d model it after this one.

“Doesn’t look like it gets much use anyway.” I said smugly. I knew they’d had a horrible time getting any woman to even look their way after the Darlington Ball fiasco, so I was sure no omega had set foot in their kitchen. A part of me was happy that there would be no omega scent lingering in there. My body was already reacting so strongly to the scent match that I didn’t have the energy to fight feelings of jealousy as well.

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