Knot The One They Want

Chapter 10: Unwanted

Lorali

"I was the first Omega of our generation to come to Alma. I saw the arrival of all of you, and I have watched Alma shape you into beautiful Omega’s. Though we were all raised under the same teachings and vows, you are each uniquely different, carrying your own light. As you go to your respective packs, I want you to remember never to let that light dim. Remember you are more than just some pack’s Omega. And if life proves to be hard out there, you can always come back home. Alma’s doors are always open, right, Headmistress?"

Ella turns her head toward Headmistress Cleovera, who nods solemnly. "Alma’s doors are always open. But remember, once you return, you cannot leave again. You will become a Madam for life."

We stand together in the cathedral, the air heavy with incense and memory. It is almost time for us to leave Alma for good, unless we return by choice, bound forever to its walls.

Cleo had been called upon by six packs, but of course she chose Yorin’s pack. She has spent most of the past two weeks planning her engagement ceremony, her voice constantly filled with excitement.

Vanya was called upon by five packs, and she chose the political one, the pack running for presidency. She found them charming, and she glowed when she spoke of them.

Susie, poor Susie, was not called upon by any pack. The Omega Council wanted to force her into one not of her choosing, but Headmistress Cleovera intervened. Susie was given more time, with blind dates arranged for her by the Headmistress.

Ella, unsurprisingly, received a record‑breaking twenty‑seven proposals. Out of forty packs at the gala, twenty‑seven wanted her. She truly was Headmistress Cleovera’s greatest project. Yet, out of all those eligible packs, Ella chose a relatively unknown one. We tried to look them up, but found nothing. Why would she choose them? She worked so hard, too hard, to end up with nobodies who might make her suffer. I know the Headmistress is disappointed.

I myself was called upon by four packs, but I chose my fated mates. I can’t wait to see them again. Just thinking about them makes me giddy, my chest fluttering with anticipation.

"My dear Omegas, the cars taking you to your future lives have arrived."

We are dismissed from the cathedral, stepping out into the cool air outside the Academy manor. A vast field stretches before us, the road disappearing into the horizon. No cars are visible yet, but since the Headmistress said they have arrived, they must be at the bottom of the hill, passing through the gates.

"I still don’t understand why you baked muffins," Vanya says, pointing to the box of cupcakes in my hands.

"Well, I read somewhere that my pack’s Omega has a sweet tooth. I baked these to give to him as a peace offering. I don’t want him to think I’m going to steal his pack or anything."

"That’s nice of you," Susie gushes. She smiles, though her face looks drained. She has spent the last few days crying. freёwebnovel.com

"So you and Vanya will be staying together. I’m surprised Vanya’s pack has no problem with that," I say, my eyes bouncing between them.

"Yeah, they’re fine with it. I couldn’t let Susie stay here alone when she could attend the blind dates while living with me."

"Now, should I wear purple or yellow for my engagement after‑party?" Cleo asks, approaching with Ella beside her.

"Purple. That’s more royal. My queen," Ella says, giving me a knowing wink. I chuckle. I don’t understand how she hasn’t lost her mind after listening to Cleo’s endless engagement party talk.

"There, the cars are coming!" Vanya shouts next to my ear, making me flinch. Eleven cars in a row flood in from the top of the hill, their headlights glowing like stars.

"Goodbye hug, girls," I say, and all five of us embrace tightly.

"I’m going to miss you guys," Susie cries.

"Susie, don’t be dramatic. We’re going to be living in the same city. We can see each other anytime," I chuckle.

"Nuh‑uh. I won’t be able to see Ella and Cleo whenever I want. They are going halfway across the world," Susie sniffles.

"Susie, I’ll come back occasionally to see you all," Ella smiles, holding back a laugh.

"In your places, girls," the Headmistress announces from behind us.

We stand in a straight line, as we always have. The first car arrives. A tall, handsome man with a scar across his face steps out. He opens the door for Ella, kissing her hand. We shriek like blushing girls as she enters the car. The vehicle drives off, and next comes Yorin for Cleo. I hear Cleo ask if they should go for pink or yellow flowers as he opens the door for her.

They leave, and soon it is going to be my turn. Xavier, one of Vanya’s mates, helps her and Susie into their car before driving off.

I stand nervously as my car pulls up in front of me. My heart pounds against my chest, each beat echoing like a drum as I wait for my prince charming to step out. I wait, and wait... and wait. Is he not coming out?

BEEP.

BEEP.

The honk blares, sharp and impatient, making me flinch so hard I nearly drop the box of cupcakes clutched in my hands. The side window rolls down, and the man inside shouts, "Would you fucking hurry up? I have a game to get to."

Whispers ripple behind me, soft but cutting, and I rush forward, desperate to escape their eyes. I reach for the front passenger door, but he locks it before I can pull it open.

"What do you think you’re doing? The front seat is for my Omega. Sit in the back," he says, irritated, his tone slicing through me.

My cheeks burn with humiliation. I know everyone heard that. I quickly slide into the back seat, keeping my head down, unable to meet the Headmistress’s gaze.

"Finally. You move like a fucking sloth," the man mutters as I close the door. He doesn’t wait for me to put on my seatbelt. The car jerks forward, speeding down the road. Maybe he really is late for wherever he’s going. Maybe that explains his behavior.

I glance into the rearview mirror. A black eye blooms across his face, dark and swollen. I wonder if it hurts. His scent drifts back to me. It’s citrus, sharp and clean, pleasant but foreign. He is not my fated. I recognize him as part of the pack, but I can’t remember his name.

"Hi... hi, my name is Lorali, but you can call me Lori. What’s your name?" I ask, trying to start some kind of conversation to bridge the silence.

"Fuck, I can’t stand this smell anymore."

The man leans forward, yanking open the glovebox. He grabs something and throws it back at me. A bottle of scent‑dampening lotion lands in my lap.

"I cannot stand another second of that horrendous scent," he gags, rolling down all four windows.

My vision clouds. My throat tightens. I clutch the lotion, my fingers trembling.

"Look, there are a couple of things you need to understand. My pack doesn’t want you. I have no idea why you chose us. We are perfectly content with our life, with the Omega we already have."

My pack doesn’t want you.

The words ring in my ears, over and over, each repetition heavier than the last. I want to cry. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, my happily ever after. But now I know, I might be very far from that dream.

I open the lotion, spreading it across my arms and face, forcing myself to comply. The cream is cold against my skin, erasing the scent that marks me. I stare out the window, praying silently that my friends are having a better time than me.

Augustus

FUCK! Why me? Why was it me who had to fetch the little princess? Even with her scent covered and the windows rolled all the way down, I can still smell the faint traces of her fragrance clinging to the air, and it’s driving me insane.

My eyes drift to the rearview mirror. I catch the reflection of the tiny Omega in my backseat. Her shoulders are slumped, her head bowed low, her hands clutching that box like it’s the only thing keeping her together. A pang of guilt twists in my chest. Perhaps I was too harsh on her. Or perhaps not. I don’t want to fill her head with ideas that she’ll ever truly be part of our pack.

This whole situation is unfortunate, for her, for us, for everyone. Old man Spade is to blame, but so is fate. None of us asked for this. None of us even spoke to her at the gala, so why did she choose us? Is she after money? Does she want to drive a wedge between us? Whatever her reason is, I won’t let it happen.

I tighten my grip on the steering wheel, knuckles white, forcing myself to focus on the road.

It takes four agonizing hours of silence to reach the penthouse building. The tension in the car is suffocating, every second dragging like chains.

"Get out," I say flatly, pulling up in front of the building.

No movement.

I turn in my seat, irritation bubbling. "You’ve got to be fucking kidding me."

She’s asleep. Lorali is fast asleep, clutching that box like a child with a toy. Her lashes rest against her cheeks, her breathing soft. I stretch across the seat and flick her forehead.

"Wake up. I’m not your chauffeur!"

She jolts awake, big brown eyes snapping open, her hand flying to her forehead. Only now do I notice how brown those eyes are. It’s rich, deep and like chocolate catching the sun. God, I love chocolate. I really love chocolate.

"You’re red," Lorali whispers, pointing at my face.

Her words snap me out of my trance. Heat floods my cheeks. I jerk back into my seat, covering my face with my hand. "Get the fuck out!" My voice cracks with embarrassment.

She quickly unbuckles her seatbelt and opens the door. "What floor am I going to?" she asks, stepping out.

"Top floor," I mutter, still hiding my face.

"Oh, okay. Thank you for the ride."

"Whatever. Just close my damn door."

I roll my eyes, listening as the door slams shut with far too much force. Is she trying to break my door? This is a custom car. On a normal day, that would send me into a rage campaign, but right now, I just want to get away from her.

I ignite the engine and drive off, my jaw tight. In the side mirror, I see her still standing in front of the building, staring up at it, probably gawking.