Page 105 of Knot Gonna Lie
Behind us, more footsteps. Stella and Maia burst through another door, clearly having been kept in an adjacent room. They looked ready to commit murder with their bare hands, only Elara's presence keeping them from launching themselves at the offending alpha.
“The meeting room.” Zeke’s voice carried something almost like regret. “We have much to discuss.”
The chamber reeked of wealth—oversized furniture arranged around a table on top of polished stone. Gamma security flanked the doors, their faces carefully neutral. Zeke sat at the head of the table, king in his court.
I dropped into the nearest chair and pulled Elara onto my lap without hesitation. She curled into me instantly, face buried inmy neck, drinking in my scent like it was the only anchor holding her steady.
Her weight, her warmth, the way she fit against me—every cell in my body screamedminewith violent satisfaction.
Seth and Jaxom claimed the loveseat's arms rather than the cushions, needing proximity to their omega. Seth's fingers found her wrist, checking her pulse as his other hand tangled gently in her hair. Jaxom's palm pressed against her knee, grounding her with touch. Stella and Maia took positions behind us—a wall of beta fury protecting their omega's back.
Eli remained standing, violence radiating off him in waves.
“You could have called.” Rage cracked my voice into shards. “One message. We’re businessmen, not barbarians. This—” I gestured at the room, at Elara trembling in my arms “—this didn’t need to happen.”
“Standard channels failed.” Zeke leaned back, unruffled. “Months of proposals ignored. Requests declined. And recently, you were too busy playing with your stolen name to notice opportunity knocking.”
"So you kidnapped my omega?" I growled, my alpha bark coming through. "Traumatized innocent betas? For what—a business deal?"
"For hope."
The word hung in the air like a challenge. Zeke's amber eyes held mine, and for the first time, I saw past the power to the hollow ache beneath.
“Thirty years without an omega. Thirty years watching the lottery decide I was too dangerous, too much of what alphas once were.” His fingers tapped against the armrest. "I built this world for the omega I'll never have. Every law, every protection, every comfort—all for someone who'll never come."
Elara shifted in my lap, a small whimper escaping as another wave of heat rolled through her. I tightened my hold. Zeke’s eyes followed the movement, envy undisguised.
"Your company has connections. Channels. Influence. Legitimacy.” He leaned forward, gaze sharp. “Legal channels to Syzygy Station's lottery board. Influence with the omega advocacy groups. The reputation to make someone like me seem... palatable.” He sighed and rolled his neck, the sharp crack echoing through the room. "I don't want your omega—she's yours, claimed and bonded. But what she represents? An omega who chose her alpha despite the rules? That's what I need access to."
"You could have asked." Eli’s words bled venom.
“I did.” Zeke's laugh held no humor. "But now I have your attention. Give me hope for an omega—a legitimate chance through your company's channels—and you can take yours home. No debts. No obligations. Just business."
"You know about Nova." The accusation slipped out before I could stop it.
Zeke’s grin sharpened. "The omega on the station who hasn't chosen despite four ceremonies? Of course I know. Just as I know your brother here has been wanting to enter The Den himself for the last two years, but had placed your business first. Like you, until recently.”
Eli went perfectly still.
"Should I tell him, Eli? Or would you prefer to confess yourself?" Zeke leaned back, savoring the moment. "Your pharmaceutical connections weren't just for business expansion, were they? All those inquiries to outer rim colonies, to planets beyond Federation jurisdiction where omega trafficking still operates in shadows. You were looking for alternative sources."
"Shut your mouth." Eli's voice came out lethal, soft.
"The mighty Eli Coco, so desperate for an omega he'd bypass every law he claims to respect. Those encrypted communications with Helix Prime's black market dealers? The transfer of funds to 'research facilities' that don't exist?" Zeke's amber eyes gleamed with dark satisfaction. "You were willing to buy what the lottery wouldn't give you. An omega from the trafficking rings, cleaned up and presented as a business arrangement."
My stomach turned to ice. I stared at my brother, searching for denial, for rage at false accusations. Found only rigid fury and something worse—shame.
"Interesting." Zeke's gaze moved between us. "The legendary Coco brothers, both rule-breakers when it comes to omega protocols. One steals identities, the other negotiates with slavers. Perhaps we have more in common than you'd like to admit."
"We're nothing alike." But even as I said it, I knew the lie for what it was. We were all alphas driven to desperate measures by a system that kept us from what our biology demanded. The only difference was the lines we'd cross.
Elara's fingers clutched at my shirt, her breathing shallow and quick. "Luca..." Her voice came out as barely a whisper. "Please..."
We needed to leave… Now.
“Terms.” The word snapped like a whip. “What do you want?”
“Simple. Coco Pharma sponsors my lottery application. Your reputation legitimizes my claim that I can provide proper omega care.” Zeke steepled his fingers. “In exchange, I handle your Owen problem.”
