1. Knot Worthy Of Anyone
1
KNOT WORTHY OF ANYONE
~KAMARI~
" L ook at Miss Lyricist, writing up the next big hit that's going to be fought over by at least ten musicians and their cocky ass agents."
I can't help but tease as I watch my best friend hunched over her notebook.
"Begging to be the grand winner of Blair Vesper's masterpieces!"
Astraea doesn't even look up, her silver locks cascading over her shoulder as she continues writing. Those striking cyan-blue eyes remain focused on the page, a trait I've always envied about her. When she gets into her creative zone, nothing can break her concentration.
Well, almost nothing.
"You make thousands for each lyrical piece you write, yet you can't reply to yet another invitation to an Omega Singles Meet ordered by the GOVERNMENT!" I emphasize each word, watching her shoulders tense. "Do I need to spell the word out for you?"
"I know how to spell?—"
"G.O.V.E.R.N.M.E.N.T!" My voice rises with each letter, making her wince. The look she gives me could freeze hell over, but I'm beyond caring. "They'll throw you in jail at this point!"
"That's against my rights," she grumbles, still somehow managing to look graceful even when pouting. It's unfair how she can pull off any expression and still look like she belongs on a magazine cover.
"The SOCIETY doesn't give any hoots about Omegas’ rights, Astraea!"
"Ugh!" She finally stops writing, her perfect features contorting in frustration. "Fuck! It's gone!"
"What's gone?"
"The lyric!" She glares at her paper like it personally offended her, and I watch as she fights the urge to crumple it up and add it to the growing pile in her pink garbage can.
By the time those cyan eyes lock onto my 5'2" frame, I'm already lifting my hands in surrender.
Even in casual clothes, she has this presence about her that commands attention. Maybe it's the way she carries herself, or perhaps it's just the natural beauty that seems to radiate from within.
Either way, my best friend, Astraea Soleil, is a stunning masterpiece of an Omega.
She’s also talented as fuck.
"Alright. Spare me from your wrath. I can't handle you when you get all bitchy."
"So it's okay for you, Miss 'I Abandoned My Arranged Marriage' with your cocky husband and group of rich company owners to be a rebel like your dearest best friend..." She pauses dramatically, and I know what's coming. "Aka Moi, to live your aspired 'Bookstagram Influencer Era' falling in love with fictional men. Yet, I can't continue writing songs as a side hustle that keeps us off the streets?"
I cringe at the reminder of my own situation as she adds the final blow.
Like running away from the altar and leaving five motherfuckers behind to launch a “manhunt” for my Omega ass isn’t diabolically dramatic…
"Because SOMEONE assumed her Black AMEX was going to work after ditching her hubby and pack at the altar."
Okay…that was stupid of me.
"It's not like I assumed it would work," I defend, running a hand through my long black curls.
Unlike Astraea's unique silver locks that seem to catch every ray of light, my hair is as traditional as my upbringing.
"I only miscalculated how fast my family would cut me off for pulling such a heinous stunt. Then again, they were also fasting all morning so I'm going to assume they were hangry when I ran for the hills in my Swarovski crystal Saree!"
When her expression doesn't soften, I cross my arms and pout.
"Alright. I didn't have a game plan when I did that, so thank you to my loving best friend of ten years for writing passionate songs for desperate musicians and keeping a roof over our heads."
Truthfully, if it wasn’t for Astraea, I would have been homeless. More so, Omegas with no money or shelter on the streets don’t last long.
At least until they disappear and are found when they’re no longer breathing…
"Woof!"
We both look down at her two pomskies, their adorable faces lighting up at the attention. These fur babies are more family to us than our actual relatives at this point.
"And somehow convincing the Manager of this Omega Haven to allow us to keep our pomskies!" I drop to the floor, showering them with affection until they scamper off to play with Astraea's discarded papers.
With a sigh, I watch as my best friend's resolve starts to crack. Despite her rebellious nature and the walls she puts up, I know her better than anyone.
"I know you have a point, Karma," she mutters, running those delicate fingers through her hair. The action reminds me of how different we are – her all grace and subtle power, me still learning to stand on my own two feet. "But..."
I don't let her finish that thought.
Moving closer, I cup her face in my hands, taking in the subtle freckles that dust her nose – another feature that makes her uniquely beautiful.
"Hey. Why don't we ask Velvet if there's any way of delaying this thing? I mean I know we're of age now that we're nineteen, but these events mostly have much older men. Like over twenty-five. We could ask if there's a way to be offered a different way of meeting some younger packs?"
Even as I say it, I know it's a long shot.
The system isn't built for our convenience.
"Yeah. Why don't we ask her tomorrow? I'm going to go super early to the gym so I can avoid the Alpha traffic of hell. Don't want to go into Heat in that crowded manhole."
Heat…right. We’re of age for that nonsense…
I can't help but make a face at the thought, which makes her laugh.
"C'mon, Karma. With that look, I'd assume you're a lesbian at this point."
If it got me to avoid being gang fucked by men who can barely say my name right, probably. Heck, they wouldn’t even need to say my name, and I’d be doing what? Sticking my ass up and begging for their cocks all because my Omega pheromones are begging for it.
How one’s body can betray them just for dicks and knots is sad really.
The thought makes me want to shiver, but I push it aside just as quickly. I don’t need to manifest such a cruel reality that’s sadly what happens to most Omegas who can’t find a safe haven like we did.
"Nothing wrong with bending both ways, but I do not want to be anywhere near a football field full of sweaty, self-centered, muscular gods who love looking at themselves in the mirror more than being a decent fucking man in our female-deprived society."
"Omega deprived society more like it," she corrects, and I have to nod in agreement. "And Knox's gym is not as big as a football field. It's average."
"Average coming from one of the 'soon-to-be' youngest millionaire Omegas, proves I need to further raise my standards in life." I shake my head, moving to my bed as inspiration strikes. "At this point, a normal pack won't do for you."
I clap my hands excitedly, already envisioning the perfect scenario.
"Kamar—"
"Mafia Heir. Twenty-five? Hmm. That's even ground. A safe age gap. Can't be a cocky bastard, but he sometimes has to remind himself and everyone around him that he can ruin everyone's lives in a heartbeat."
This is the one thing I’m good at. Creating as if I’m manifesting reality with a stroke of a feather pen. It’s one of the many reasons my Father disdained me.
Kamari and her constant daydreaming! If you can’t get your mind out of the gutter, be a useful Omega and find a pack that can aid our business’ foundations!
The memory tries to ruin my vibe, reminding me of the abusive chaos I desperately ran from like everything else unfolding before me walking down that aisle of holy matrimony.
"Here we go," she groans, rising from her spot.
"Where are you going?" I pout, fumbling with my Kindle that decides now is the perfect time to update. "Ah! Stupid update. I need to show you this quote that would emphasize where I'm going with this."
"I'm going to shower for my own sanity," she declares, gathering her things. "I also have to do laundry. Scent-blocking panties are getting fucking expensive out here. I had to get rid of my last five pairs."
I gasp in horror, doing quick mental math.
"F-F-F-FIVE?!" My fingers count out the tragedy. "How much is that going to cost you?"
"When I checked yesterday's rate, a whopping five stacks."
She points accusingly at our furry culprits, who pause their paper-shredding mission to bounce over to her with innocent expressions.
"Ugh, no!" She barely gets the words out before they tackle her. "Blaze and Ember! Have mercy on me!"
"Woof! Woof!"
Watching her giggle and play with them, despite everything weighing on her shoulders, makes my heart swell. How someone so talented and beautiful can also be so genuine is beyond me.
"What?" she asks, catching my soft expression.
"There's not a day that goes by where I don't thank my goddess for providing me this opportunity to start anew," I whisper, letting my guard down as I only do with her. "Without you...after that day...I really didn't envision a future. The rejected Omega who dares disgrace her family."
I try to smile, but the weight of everything catches up to me.
The truth of what a disgrace I feel like…
"Society says being an Omega should be deemed a blessing. A privilege. A gift bestowed on us females that accent various qualities and attributes only we can grace to chosen men worthy of our presence." The words taste bitter on my tongue. "So why do so many of us think of it as nothing but a curse?"
The silence that follows speaks volumes.
"We can't run away from destiny forever," I murmur, more to myself than her. "Even if it's so easy to act blind when the signs are everywhere."
I clutch my Kindle closer, trying to hide how my hands shake slightly.
"If Velvet suggests you start attending these meets...do it," I encourage, despite the memories that threaten to surface. "But Astraea?"
"Yes, Kamari?"
The use of my full name shows she's listening intently.
"Whatever pack you end up choosing...make sure there's a spark. For once in your life...you can envision what it would be like to love them. To be their Omega." Our eyes lock, and I pour all my concern and hope into my next words. "If it's just a transaction in their eyes, walk away. They're not worthy of you."
I head to the door but pause with my hand on the knob.
"Don't let them steal that beautiful spark of yours. If you lose that...it's even harder to re-kindle it back to its burning glory."
As I leave her to her thoughts, I catch her whispered words.
"Knot Worthy of Anyone..."
And I know, deep in my heart, that she's about to create something magical from all this pain.
If only I could manifest the same…