Page 126 of Knot All is Crystal
“How do you know about that?” I hated that event. Every year, the senior Omegas have to put on this event like show dogs to convince the packs that we’re worth pursuing. I tried so hard to get out of it, but they wouldn’t let me.
He ignores my question. “All the other Omegas were predictable. Dance routines, musical instruments. A few even did some sewing bullshit and cooking demonstrations. But not you, Crystal Manson.” He leans against the edge of his desk, scratching his temple with the barrel of his gun.
Did no one teach this man basic gun safety?
I hope it fucking goes off.
“No,” he continues, “you got up there and did a science experiment.”
“It wasn’t a science experiment,” I snap, unable to help myself. “It was a demonstration on gene therapy and my theory on how someone could modify existing genes using a complex splicing process, effectively altering a living person’s DNA.”
He doubles over, laughing at my words. “That! That’s what I mean. You’ve got Omegas trying to be perfect playing the violin, and then you come up there with a fucking slideshow presentation! Maybe my life would’ve been easier if I picked out a vapid, shallow Omega, but where’s the fun in that? The challenge?” He stalks over to me, resting the tip of his gun under my chin. My knees grow weak with fear. “No, I wanted someone who could challenge me. Match me.”
Memories of angry phone calls and letters from the Academy, insisting I come to socials I had no interest in, assault me. “You were requesting me at socials, weren’t you?”
Kieran spins on his toes quickly and paces away from me. “I admit, I thought maybe you’d fall in love with me, and I wouldn’t have to keep you here forcibly. But then you refused to go to the socials. You were supposed to come to the socials, Crystal, and none of this would’ve happened. Your sister and niece would be safe. Your brother-in-law would still be alive.”
Is he - fuck, no. He can’t be serious.
But the maniacal glint in his eyes tells me he is very serious.
“C’mon, Queenie, I thought you would have it all figured out by now. Since you refused to come to socials and meet me, I needed a way to get you under my thumb. Your brother-in-law was already using. It was an easy accident to arrange. And, just like I expected, you fell right into my lap.”
Kieran Cobb has been a specter over my life for six years, even if I only knew him for four.
He’s planned this for years, spun his web, and I am trapped within it.
I’m at his whim.
“It’s why I am fucking furious about what happens now. All the time and effort that I put into getting you here is now about to be thrown away. Because I’m fucked, Crystal. I committed fizz to these men, and if I can’t provide it, I will look weak, and they’ll try to slide into my territory. So I have to distract them with something better.”
His eyes trace down my body, and I ache to cover myself. But I know it’s pointless.
Because the words that come out of his mouth next are so predictable, I could’ve written them before they fell out of his cracked lips.
“That’s where you come in. You’re the apology. You’re the thing they will pay attention to while I sort out the rest of it. I’ll trade the male Omega for a higher volume manufacturing facility, and everything will get back on track.” He crosses the room and gathers my hands in his. “I never wanted to do this. You’re my Queen. I’ve always called you that. But you had to go and get a pack. You couldn’t be happy with the comfortable life I’ve provided you. You had to bring civilians into this.”
“I didn’t bring them into this, I swear!” I insist. “Please, they don’t know anything.”
He cups my cheek in his hand. The warmth of his touch contrasts with the chill of his words. “That’s not true, Queenie. I know about the Beta that was at your house before we went to pick up the Omega.”
My stomach bottoms out, and the only thing keeping me from collapsing on the ground is his hand around my throat. He tightens his grip, pulling me up by my jaw. “But he won’t be a problem for much longer. You don’t think I’ve done my research on all of the men you’ve let between your legs recently?” He makes a tsking noise and pulls me to his chest, resting my cheek against him. “Of course, I wasn’t planning on doing anything, but I have to since he overheard us. Gage Matthews.” He inhales sharply like he’s rolling the name over his tongue. “I’ll make it quick for him, I promise. After all, he is my son.”
FORTY-EIGHT
“Are you comfortable?”I ask Atlas. He narrows his eyes at me.
“I mean, as I can be. I’m trying not to think about how many people have fucked on this bed, honestly.”
The dark-haired Beta started working for Pack Lupine a few months ago. I was vaguely aware of his relationship with Tyler, the bartender always assigned to Crystal, but I didn’t realize he had assisted Crystal through her heats.
It makes me dislike the guy, even though it’s unfair. It’s not like she had very many options.
Like he can sense where my head is, Atlas huffs. “You’re still pissed that I’ve been with Crystal?” He rolls his eyes as he stretches out on the bed in the girlfriend experience room I brought Crystal to while she was on fizz. “I get it, but it wasn’t emotional or anything. Tyler and I were together, and she needed Alpha assistance. I was just along for the very fun ride.”
“Don’t talk about her that way,” I growl. “You’re lucky I don’t rip your hands off for touching her.”
“Ooh, big scary Alpha,” he rolls his eyes. “Seriously, Puck, you’ve gotta get that posturing shit under control. Crystal won’t stand for it.”
