Page 2 of Knot Gonna Lie
Biting my bottom lip, I didn’t miss how her eyes dimmed as they held mine.
Our time together would diminish once I entered The Den. No more shopping trips in The Center. No more late nights watching dramas while doing each other’s hair and makeup.
Instead, my days would be filled with alphas courting me until I decided who I wanted to tie my life with, forever bonded to them and their clan.
“How much time do we have?” Quinn pressed the back of her hand against my forehead. A subtle hint of her calming scent washed over me, grounding my nerves with its familiar morning dew on long blades of grass.
She scrunched her eyebrows, frowning as her concerned brown eyes locked onto mine. “Your skin’s temperature is slightly heightened, but nowhere near heat levels…We still have time to renew your suppressant if you need more time to prepare yourself. Are you sure this is what you want?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” I replied, nodding as confidence washed over me with my declaration. “I’ve been stuck in this space station long enough. It’s time for me to start the next chapter of my life.”
“I will report to Matron Jacques that you are ready.” She grinned, backing toward the door. “Tomorrow, we will begin your preparation.”
As the door whispered closed behind her, I clutched the pillow tighter. The vastness beyond my window called to me with possibilities I’d only ever dreamed of—planetary surfaces beneath real sunlight, unfiltered air carrying scents of nature rather than station ventilation, and most of all, freedom from these walls that had been both my sanctuary and my prison.
Tomorrow would mark the beginning of the end of my time on Syzygy Station.
CHAPTER TWO
ELARA
The gentle hum that perpetually radiated from The Center had always amazed me—a symphony of hushed conversations weaving through the air like silk threads, binding our community in whispered intimacies. How could a station filled with such diverse souls create this harmonious tapestry of sound, this collective breath that seemed to pulse with the very heartbeat of sanctuary?
When I entered The Center for the first time twelve years ago, I was uneasy about the phenomena—but now, it was normal.
After being born and raised in a small Earth town where silence stretched like empty fields between neighbors, the light crowd flowing through the curved walkways felt overwhelming. Color-coded doorways lined the walls like jewels set in polished stone, each one promising wonders I’d never imagined—but was something to get used to. I’d never seen a historic mall, much less a shopping center, before my scent turned sweet and everything changed.
One moment I was at school taking a test, the next I was hugging my beta parents goodbye before boarding the vessel bound for Syzygy Station to start my new sheltered life as an omega. As soon as I stepped onto the hangar, Quinn became my assigned caretaker, then slowly, my dearest friend.
I hadn’t seen or heard from my family ever since—which was sadly typical of omegas and sometimes gammas.
My gaze caught on a doe-eyed young boy strolling in the opposite direction, his adult male gamma hovering protectively beside him, pointing out landmarks with gentle explanations. Today marked the beginning of his journey, and tomorrow would herald the start of the end of mine.
Such was the circle of life on Syzygy.
After dwelling on the station for so long, walking amongst other unmated omegas with their gamma caretakers brought an odd comfort. Our community possessed a camaraderie born of shared purpose—we all knew why we were here, all navigating similar passages through carefully orchestrated lives. Eventually, all unmated omegas would be paired off, leaving their gamma caretakers to decide what paths their own futures would take. The acceptance of this pattern made it less melancholy, especially knowing things could be far worse—as they once were before Syzygy Station existed.
Only vetted betas and alphas were permitted aboard the station, which meant they had valid reasons for being here and operated under gamma enforcer supervision. Most betas were station workers or merchants, providing services or selling goods for profit—not hoping to join an omega’s pack. But it was the alphas who had always stirred my wariness. Most piloted their own vessels, needing an omega to fulfill their crew’s requirements. Others were politicians, high-ranking businessmen, or business owners hoping to strike deals with the station while walking away with an omega.
I’d witnessed plenty attempting to catch unmated omegas about to enter The Den, promising glamorous lifestyles filled with dream nests and passionate encounters. While not against station law, such behavior was frowned upon. Anyone resorting to such tactics seemed desperate—if they needed to poach unmated omegas outside The Den, it suggested they lacked confidence in other areas.
The Den was designed to provide us with a curated selection of thoroughly background-checked alphas ready for the opportunity to court me. I was prepared to begin my own process and wasn’t desperate enough to compromise it for some impatient alpha wanting to bypass the system. This was my chance to determine who I wanted to spend eternity with, not a reward for the first pleasant-smelling alpha who approached me.
Syzygy Station had truly become an omega haven. We never feared kidnapping or forced bonding with our caretakers beside us and gamma enforcers throughout the corridors. The ventilation system sent calming synthetic pheromones into the air, keeping omegas tranquil while preventing alphas from entering frenzied ruts. This created neutral ground where everyone could coexist without fear.
Rather than shopkeepers calling to passersby like at planet-side outdoor markets, merchants here served customers from within their establishments. This kept noise levels manageable and prevented omegas from becoming overwhelmed. For them, being chosen for a spot in The Center was a great honor.
Omegas would always need clothes, jewelry, and other necessities.
There was no need for shopkeepers to constantly pursue sales through shouting—such behavior was beneath them. We would always need their services. They existed to provide us with glamorous items for our time in The Den, where we displayedourselves to potential alphas. Once marked by their chosen alpha, omegas would need nesting supplies and beginning necessities for their new lives beyond the station.
Glancing around, I noticed we were entering the jewelry and accessories section, evidenced by the emerald door markings beneath illuminated signs.
I sighed, realizing Quinn would attempt to convince me to spend some of my saved allowance on jewelry. She knew how much I preferred using credits for practical things like new wardrobes and nesting supplies, but she believed I shouldn’t worry about such matters and should focus on looking my absolute best.
My eyes locked on a blue-eyed omega with long brown hair exiting Sally’s Scarfs. She offered me a small smile with a quick nod as we passed. Her gamma leaned unusually close with their arm wrapped around her waist. Their short blond hair was flipped over and buzzed along the sides, and striking green eyes watched me as they inhaled deeply at the crown of her head.
As they passed, I glanced at Quinn, unsurprised to find her studying me intently.
