Page 24 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

And how could I blame them? She was an omega. She was also an unbelievably attractive omega. She had an aura that exuded mystery, excitement, and the feeling of being untouchable. So anyone, alpha, beta, or omega, would find her enchanting. But we knew who she really was. And the fact that my packmates lost control of their instincts around her so quickly gave me concern. She could use that to manipulate us.

I got up and stretched, glancing at myself in the mirror before I got into the shower. My eyes were bleary, my face unshaven. I was looking worse the longer she was here. But I was confident that Elijah would find the proof we needed. I just had to wait, and hope.

Today would be better. We were scheduled to give our first interview with Celeste, something that we’d negotiated with a journalist of our choice after receiving a mountain of offers. We’d be setting the record straight on a lot of things. But we needed to sell that the relationship was real, and that was going to be a challenge for me. The one solo interaction I’d had with her in the kitchen solidified that she was a pathetic brat, spoiled and heartless - yet I still struggled with being around her, my body feeling shocked the first time I touched her skin, even if it was to get her hands off of me.

I dried off, running a hand over my forearm as I stared at the ink stretching across my skin. My tattoos, which I kept hidden most of the time, were more than art. They were the story of my people, a history written in ink and blood. Each line, each symbol, was a thread connecting me to an island that no longer existed as it had when I was living there.

The patterns started at my chest, spiraling down my arms in thick, interwoven bands - geometric waves to represent the sea that had once cradled my ancestors, jagged lines that represented the mountains that were now barren and hollow from Harringday’s greed. The dark ink signified the ties to my home, the island where I was born, the one that haunted my dreams.

Harringday Industries had bled my home dry with their mining operations, and despite the very public attempt by Celeste years back that promised fair wages and safety, the truth was the labor broke bodies and shattered families. The tragedy that haunted my dreams, the knowledge that I had - it burned me alive.

The public never saw the truth. They never knew how corners had been cut, how warnings had been ignored, how people like my family had been treated as disposable.

I clenched my fist, the ring of ink around my wrist stretching tight.

Celeste didn’t care. That was the worst part. She had been born into privilege, raised in a world of luxury, where the consequences of her family’s actions were nothing more than numbers on a report. But I knew. And I carried that knowledge with me, carved into my skin, stitched into my bones.

My pack understood. They had their own scars, their own reasons to take down the empire her family built. That’s why we were doing this. Blackmailing Celeste into this arrangement wasn’t just about clearing our names or fixing our public image. It was about positioning ourselves for the long game. About making sure the world finally saw what Harringday truly was.

And yet…

I exhaled sharply, forcing the thought away before it could fully form.

It didn’t matter how she looked at me, with those defiant eyes that made my blood run hot. It didn’t matter that her actions didn’t match with the villain I had always imagined. I had to stay focused. I knew what she was responsible for. And I would make it my life’s mission to see that she paid for her actions.

I turned away from the mirror, shoving the thoughts aside. Today would be better. Today, I would sell the illusion. And soon, I wouldn’t have to fake anything at all - because Celeste would be exactly where she belonged.

Destroyed.

*****

The journalist, bright-eyed and eager, sat poised, ready to navigate the mystery of our relationship.

“Thank you all for being here,” she began, her smile warm. “How does it feel to be the most popular news topic of the past few weeks?”

I hesitated, but Liam answered.

“It’s been a whirlwind, that’s for sure. But Celeste, well, she’s very used to being in the news.” His voice was casual, but the double meaning of his words made Celeste sit up straighter, a tiny frown appearing and then disappearing on her face so quickly you’d blink and miss it. But then, she seemed to relax. She reached over, placing her hand on Liam’s and gazing at him with adoration.

“Yes, I certainly catch the attention of the public quite often. But after a lifetime of being in the headlines, I can show these guys the ropes.” Her smile was beautiful, and completely insincere. “They are so fresh at this, but they seem to be fast learners.” Her gaze moved around the room and landed on me. “Well, most of the pack anyway.” She gave a quick wink to the reporter, who incredibly, blushed. How did this woman manage to charm everyone?

“Let’s address the elephant in the room - Celeste, there’s been quite a bit of controversy surrounding your accusation that Pack Lockwood tried to kidnap you. Can you tell us how that unfolded?” The journalist asked, her face betraying how excited she was to get the first scoop of the biggest news story of the year.

Celeste’s expression remained neutral, but I could see the fire igniting in her gaze. “Of course. As you know, an innocent omega was in my room that night at the Darlington Ball, and was taken under the assumption that she was me.” I waited, holding my breath. “Thankfully, no lasting harm came to her. I was very active on social media around that time, and received a tip that pointed to Pack Lockwood.” She said, looking at each of us pointedly. “And to be fair, all signsdidpoint to them. The company we would have merged with was ultimately not financially sound. Manticore Technologies would have had a great opportunity to unseat Harringday. They stood to benefit directly if I was unable to be present for the vote the next day. ”

“The vote that prevented the merger, and also cemented you as the CEO of Harringday.” The journalist confirmed. I tried not to clench my teeth. If she’d missed that vote, everything would have been different. We wouldn't have to be here, doing this whole charade.

“Yes, exactly. But, it turns out that the information I received was not quite correct. I reached out to Pack Lockwood privately, to find out what really happened and what could have transpired if they had nothing to do with it.” She looked at Liam with big doe eyes, squeezing his hand. “And, in the strangest turn of events, I found that not only were they not in any way involved - but they were truly a phenomenal pack. Smart, ambitious, and, let’s be honest - not a bad looking group.” She broke out into a smile and had a quick laugh, the reporter taking notes and nodding with her.

“With Pack Lockwood ruled out, do you have any leads on who was really behind the kidnapping?” The reporter asked, and Celeste sighed and looked down.

“That’s confidential and still being investigated. I can’t say much else.” She said dramatically.

The reporter nodded. “Well, out of all that darkness, you seem to have found something amazing from it. Tell me, Pack Lockwood, how were you able to get over the fact that Ms. Harringday erroneously thought you were behind the kidnapping? I’m sure it wasn’t easy to deal with being painted as the masterminds behind such an atrocious crime.” Her words were jarring to Celeste, although she hid it well.

Vigo looked unbothered as he spoke up. “Of course it was difficult. But all we ever wanted was to clear our name, especially with Celeste.” He looked at her with sincerity. “The entire incident was horrific. The true victims are Bella, the omega who had to go through the kidnapping, and Celeste, who had to live in fear. We only took a hit to our reputation. But that’s in the past. We want to focus on the future. And we have a great partner by our side, one who is as much brains as she is beauty.” He was being too generous. But I saw how Celeste’s eyes widened at his compliment. Her skin flushed, ever so lightly, at her chest. I wanted to get closer to her, feel how much heat radiated off of her skin.

“Well, I think you are breaking all the unbonded omega hearts with compliments like that!” The reporter chimed in as she noticed our pack’s attention to Celeste. Damn it all. If she was any other person, the sexual tension would be a welcome excitement. But this was Celeste we were talking about.

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