Page 31 of Knot All is Crystal
They aren’t. Despite my qualifications, I get barely above minimum wage. I think my low wage is payback from Walter for me working for Kieran. But I can’t complain about it, or Kieran could retaliate against the old doctor.
But I do whatever I can for my sister and Hannah. What is the point of my suffering if I can’t give them everything they want? My sacrifice would be pointless if they didn’t get to live a full, happy life.
“Crissy!” Hannah shouts, throwing herself across my lap. “Did you really get me the unicorn?”
“Of course I did. Only the best for my princess.” I nuzzle my nose into her hair, remembering what it was like to clutch her tiny body in my hands right after she was born. She was so small and beautiful that it brought me to tears.
Sometimes, if I think about it too much, I’ll tear up even now.
“Come on, you two, lunch is ready.” We get up and follow Eve into the kitchen to sit at the small table in the corner. Once she’s plated bowls of stew for both of us, and we dig in, she looks at me with a sad smile.
Oh no.
I know what that smile means.
“So, still no sign of your scent matches?”
My chest tightens at the memory of Maverick, heartbroken as I rejected him. I can’t stop thinking about him. After work that day, I looked him up and discovered he was on a cheesy reality show.
I’ve watched every episode.
Twice.
He’s funny. Really funny. But I can see so much sadness in his eyes. He’s not the shallow playboy they present him as. There’s depth to him that he doesn’t show anyone. I can tell.
I feel like I know him now, which makes the ache in my chest even worse because this is all I’ll ever have. I’ll never get to hold him and love him.
I should be grateful for what time I did get, but I doubt it’ll ever be enough.
I’ll feel his absence like a hole in my chest.
“No sign, but you know I’m not looking.”
“I don’t understand why not. You deserve to have a nice pack to take care of you.”
I wonder if Maverick has a pack. They didn’t mention it on the show. Do I have more Alphas out there?
Nope. No. I can’t think like that. That’s a dangerous path for me to take.
“You’re starting to sound like the Academy,” I say dismissively. The Academy sends me a formal, mailed invite every time they have a social. I bet they think I’ll cave one day, and they will no longer have me as a blot on their match record.
“Well, as your Omega guardian…”
“Ew, shut up. It’s so fu-fudgingstupid that I have to have a guardian. I’m a whole adult.”
“Crissy almost said a bad word!” Hannah tattles.
I stick my tongue out at the little brat. “But I didn’t!”
Eve rolls her eyes at the two of us, but it’s half-hearted.
I love Sundays.
I don’t work at either of my jobs, and I have lunch with Eve and Hannah. The routine has been in place for years, and it gives me something to look forward to get through my long, shitty weeks.
“What’s your plan for the rest of the day?” my sister asks as we clear the table.
“Probably just cleaning and resting. Maybe read a book or something.” I anxiously smooth my hair down in the back, afraid my sister will catch sight of the forced bond. I covered it in makeup, but I still worry.
