Page 104 of Knot All is Crystal
I want him in pain.
I want him afraid.
I’m lost in my thoughts when I turn the corner and run into Dr. Icarus Knight. He startles when he sees me and gives me a half-wave.
“Athena, I know you’re mad, but don’t push me away. It’s been a week. I miss you,” he says into his phone as he walks away.
I have half a mind to follow him and beg him for help. I don’t know what he or his pack could do to help, but I trust him in a way I don’t trust many others in this place.
But the only person who can help me right now is myself.
* * *
The Beta woman’snails make a clacking noise as she types rapidly. I sit back in the uncomfortable chair and watch as she “escalates the issue of my guardianship to management.”
After waiting two hours for my number to be called, I realize now that the control of Omegas is full of bureaucratic nonsense.
It’s way worse than the DMV.
“Okay, here we go,” she says brightly. “Your paperwork was filed and approved with all the necessary documentation. Unless you can prove the signatures were forged-”
‘They weren’t forged, but she wasn’t aware of what she was signing!” I insist for the fourth time. “He misled her.”
“Then feel free to take this situation to court. But on our end, everything is in order.”
I bury my face in my hands. I never gave much thought to Omega rights. My guardian was my sister, and I knew I had nothing to worry about. It’s privileged, of course, not to have to worry about being under the thumb of a less-than-ideal person. I got complacent, and now I’m facing the reality of a guardian who does not have my best interests at heart.
I don’t even know what a guardian can control. What effect will this have on my life other than signing off on my bonding?
“Is there anything else I can help you with?” The Beta asks again. I shake my head without looking over the top of my hands. “Okay, if not, you’ll have to get up. Other people are waiting in line, so…”
I flee from the beige government building, my chest heaving. It’s hard to breathe, to think straight.
I can feel my freedom draining away, threatening to leave me a husk of an Omega.
Kieran choked me, threatened me, kicked me, and then went to my sister’s home, where my niece lives, and charmed her, pretending to be my Alpha. He convinced her he was looking out for me and wanted to surprise me with a trip to gain control over me.
This has to be because he knows I’ve met my Alphas. He’s trying to ensure I can’t form a legitimate pack. And for what? His image in business? That can’t be all it is, can it?
Sharp pain jolts me out of my thoughts as I’m yanked backward by my hair. I kick and flail, but a hand covers my mouth as I’m dragged into a shadowed alley. It smells like piss and despair, and my stomach churns.
I thought today couldn’t get any worse, but I should know better by now.
It can always get worse when you’re Crystal Manson.
“Quit fighting, Omega bitch,” he snarls in my ear.
I won’t stop fighting.
I will never stop fighting.
This fucking asshole chose the wrong day to try to snatch me off the street.
What do I have to lose?
Kieran visited my sister, ensuring I knew they were not outside his reach. He’s now my guardian, meaning I’m his possession for all intents and purposes.
And all because he found out I was forming a pack.
