Page 3 of Knot for Me
Her eyes lock on mine, thunder raging in them. I pretend to cringe away from her ire even though inside I’m cackling. Fine by me. I don’t want to be matched. This whole Compatibility Ceremony is a bunch of bullshit.Take a little test. Fill out your likes and dislikes and we’ll find you your perfect pack.Ha. What a racket. You can’t find me a perfect pack based on whether or not I like my toast extra toasty or hardly toasted at all.
For the record, I like it extra toasty. What kind of monster eats squishy toast?
The compatibility test hasn’t changed since the early 1900s. I’m pretty sure that no pack is going to accept an omega who doesn’t want to have a baby. Did they ask if I wanted to have babies in the compatibility test? No, of course they didn’t. Theyexpectme to want that. They expect me to be like every other mindlessly obedient omega. They don’t give a damn what I want. All they give a damn about is procreation. And I’m sorry, but I am firmly anti-procreation because I’m an asshole. Hell, I’m no creation.
When Camila’s mouth drops open and an outraged snarl tears from her mouth, I simply shrug and twinkle my fingers in hello. I’m in trouble now.
Omegas are meant to listen, bitch.
I fight off a growl at the unwelcome memory. I’ve met a few eligible alphas over the years, and they’re all the same. Condescending, cocky, and they expect nothing but full obedience. My fathers aren’t like that, but every other one I’ve met aside from my baby brother has been a total douche. Even my two older brothers—both alphas—treated me like nothing more than someone meant to obey them.
Teddy suddenly snaps out of whatever dumb shock he was in and pulls away from me. Cum drips down my legs. I’m slower to make myself decent because I need to clean up. Reaching for a roll of new paper towels, I rip off the wrapping and grab a few to clean the mess Teddy left behind then pull down my dress and slip my thong back on.
“What are you doing?” Camila asks once my ass is covered.
Most people would be ashamed right about now. I’m relieved. It would have sucked to go through all that with Teddy and not have gotten caught.
“Just having a little fun,” I say.
She growls, her scent brimming with annoyance. The other thing about omegas? When we get mad, we getreallymad. Everyone thinks that alphas are the ones that can’t control their emotions, but really, it’s the omegas. Think about a woman so hopped up on estrogen that all she can think about nearly all day long is sex and chocolate. Imagine said woman not getting what her body thinks she needs.
Boom. Rage Central.
Camila’s growl draws out one of my own because I am an omega too. I snarl and she stabs her finger at me, shutting me up.
“You’re done. Are you really so stupid? You were supposed to be matched today. But now you’re spoiled.”
Spoiled simply because I had sex with somebody else other than my destined pack? Is it really destiny if a compatibility test determines who I’m supposed to go with?I don’t think so.Besides, I know other omegas who have sex before bonding. I don’t know why she’s so mad… theydokeep it hush hush though. I basically screamedI’m not a virginwith my little act.
“Well then, I guess I’ll have to find a different job,” I say with a light laugh. “I’m really great at organizing files. Maybe I could work as a secretary for the Omega Council.”
Camila doesn’t laugh. I didn’t expect her to. But in all honesty, if I’m spoiled, where am I supposed to go? If I don’t go to my destined pack, I’ll have to find a new place to work and make money. Omegas without mates don’t get a free ride once they hit their heat. Those omegas who don’t get assigned to a pack—per destiny’s handy dandy compatibility quiz—have to work just as hard as anyone else, which means I’m in desperate need of a job because I’ve definitely fucked up my guaranteed source of income.
Almost everyone lives within a pack, but there are some people who don’t—the packless. There aren’t many of them, but they do exist, and they lead lonely, boring lives. Looks like I’ll be one of those people. If that gets me out of making babies and being a puppet for a bunch of alphas, I call it a win.
Will I miss the safety that comes with knowing I have a pack?
Maybe. But I’ll deal with that when the time comes. I’ll find new friends and family with the other packless.
“You’re just like your mother. Reckless and stupid.”
“Don’t bring my mother into this,” I snarl, ready to pounce on her if she says another word.
She eyes me with disdain, the same look she’s given me since my mother brought me in to be registered. Camila hates my mom. The little bit of malicious glee in her gaze makes me wonder if I’ve gone too far. She’ll enjoy punishing me.
After a moment, Camila says, “You’re not going to work as a secretary, you are going to the auctions.”
A stone drops in the pit of my stomach. What have I done? I thought spoiling myself would save me from being assigned to a pack. I didn’t think Camila would hate me so much she’d do this. I didn’t think the punishment would be so bad. I didn’tthink. That’s the fucking problem. I should have known better. That woman despises me. The Omega Auctions are degrading and possibly worse than being assigned with a pack via the Compatibility Ceremony. My stomach quivers at the thought of alphas bidding over me, beasts ready to sink their claws into my skin and make me obey.
I was prepared to lose everything. I wasn’t prepared to be sold off like some old man’s art after he dies. The betrayal crashes into me with the force of a semi-truck. I stumble back into the wall and shake my head.
“The auctions?”
She chuckles. “What, you thought this would get you out of pack life? No, you’ll still be with a pack. But I’m betting whoever buys you won’t make you their omega. You’ll be their chew toy. And when they’re finished with you, you’ll have to watch as those alphas take a proper omega. Someone worthy of a mate bite. Your instincts will be driven mad every single day while they court and woo her. And you’ll be helpless to stop it.”
I scoff and curl my fingers into fists. “This is outrageous. Get somebody else to go to the auctions. Nobody wants me now, you said it yourself. I don’t want to be taken. Why is this a problem?”
Let me go,I plead with my eyes, but I don’t dare beg. I have too much pride for that.
