4. Encountering A Tempting Wallflower
Encountering A Tempting Wallflower
~ICARUS~
“ A nd what are you doing here?”
I smile at the way Velvet points in my direction accusingly. I always enjoy making her question her life choices.
Lifting my hands in surrender, I let my smirk grow while my eyes soften just a smidge.
“To be fair, this is a public space. I’m allowed to be here,” I point out.
That only makes the already fuming woman look like she’s going to stomp over here and slap me across the head. She’ll say I need a reminder of discipline. Being twenty-three with power and status in our fucked-up society has made me rather “cocky,” if I do say so myself.
That little Omega could potentially tame me a few notches.
I have to try not to think about what just happened, or I’d be left in a troubled predicament. Blissful thinking can always get you further in life than being a worried psychopath.
“Icarus,” Knox groans, looking exhausted despite the day barely beginning. “You know this area is off-limits.”
I gesture around to the space, even though my nostrils are doing everything to be very subtle with how I pick up on such a wonderful scent. It’s a dessert mixture of brown sugar with hints of almonds and vanilla. I can easily envision a cake with layered frosting, drenched in brown sugar sauce and even caramel. Having a bit of a sweet tooth makes me crave the delicate delight. Even more so, I’m very intrigued by how similar it is to my own scent.
I must be horny, for there’s no way I could have discovered my scent match.
Absolutely impossible.
“Is there any Omega here? No,” I point out the obvious and look at Velvet. “You technically don’t count,” I say with a wink.
“Let me beat him!”
I have to step back and tame my chuckle that slips out while poor Knox is lifting the woman who’s ready to re-arrange my damn face. Earned but I have business to attend to this evening. Can’t have a black eye and scratches decorating my face.
Watching Knox carry Velvet out makes me shrug in defeat while enjoying her echoing insults of how she’ll slap the cockiness out of my existence.
So feisty.
Staring down to the floor, I notice something glimmering next to the plentiful beads of sweat. Intrigue gets the best of me, which is why I’m not only before the item but crouching down to pick it up.
“Guitar pick?” I mutter while admiring the rose design that has a black snake integrated into the lavender-purple pick. What heeds my attention is the name written in beautiful cursive.
“Blair Vesper.”
I recognize the name for obvious reasons but can’t understand why a guitar pick with his name would be here.
Thinking of the Omega who left with her wide blue eyes and how her silver hair stuck to her serene face makes me tight down below.
“No. Blair’s male. That’s what everyone says. An Alpha at best. I may think otherwise, but even if that was true, she’d have to be someone ordinary. Not an Omega. Then again…”
The songs created by Blair Vesper are six to seven-figure masterpieces. Far too passionate, emotional, and empowering to be written by some Alpha.
“Could she work for them?” I wonder and smirk at the potential possibility. “Now, that would be a perfect opportunity.”
I catch the footsteps from the hall, prompting me to slip the guitar pick into my pocket before turning around in time to see Knox’s annoyed look.
“Aw, don’t be mad at me,” I whine. “You haven’t seen my cocky ass in over a year. Have sympathy.”
He gives me a ‘you’re fucking lucky’ look but nudges his head down the hall, encouraging me to follow his lead as I notice two Beta janitors waiting to enter this space.
For a moment, I don’t move. It’s completely out of character for me because there’s nothing here to hold me back. Yet, the sudden idea of anyone attempting to wipe away this calming scent from the floors makes me want to growl in annoyance.
Or maybe I did, which could explain why the Betas are wide-eyed and trying not to run for the hills.
Knox gives me an eyebrow raise before he looks at his employed Betas.
“Can you do the next room first? We have something to discuss,” Knox announces with enough authoritative power to make them understand this isn’t up for debate.
“Yes, Sir!” They both nod swiftly and rush with their cleaning carts to the next room without glancing my way.
Good.
I really feel the need to snap their little necks for trying to get rid of this scent.
My scent.
It’s rather infuriating the longer I think about it.
A hand falls on my shoulder, gripping it tightly enough that I actually flinch out of my glaring moment.
Fuck… why was I glaring?
I feel out of tune with myself, which doesn’t make sense in the slightest.
Turning my attention back to Knox seems to answer whatever is buzzing in his mind. I guess my expression is enough for him to let me off the hook for now because he lets me go and proceeds to move to our usual spot to catch up.
The top floor balcony.
Only he and a few executive gym members and athletes get priority access, which means we’ll be uninterrupted as we speak about business.
When we arrive, the bodyguards are already bowing in respect before one opens the door after inputting the lengthy numeric code.
Getting hit by the cool morning air, matched with the wonderful view of the sunrise across the skyline, has me inhaling deeply and letting it out nice and slow. It helps clear my mind a little.
“You’re going to give Velvet high blood pressure with how you taunt her,” Knox begins as he pulls out a pack of cigarettes and proceeds to offer me one.
I can’t deny it, especially after what just happened.
Taking one, I pull out my own lighter and take in the wonderful purple flame that ignites from the special metal contraption that reminds me of my pack members. We all have one, each flame burning a different, unique color.
I should have been blue, but I lost that bet.
Meh. I don’t mind anymore. Not after finding that lavender pick.
“If I don’t remind her of what a pain in the ass I am, she’d want me to come back home,” I laugh and give Knox a smirk as he takes a moment to enjoy the first inhale of his cigarette.
He lets out a puff of smoke as his large structure leans against the cold metal bars of the ledge. I end up mimicking his stance, needing the chilled touch to calm me down.
I didn’t realize how hot I felt until now.
I took my shit today. I remember clearly. Why am I still reacting?
The cigarette will help, at least. Despite the addictive nicotine in them, they have a hint of suppressants that help tame Alphas’ sense when it comes to Omegas. If my rut blockers didn’t help this morning, the cigarette will give me a fighting chance until I get back to the tour bus.
“She misses you,” Knox mutters while avoiding eye contact.
I know he doesn’t want to admit that he misses me as well.
I smile and look over at the sunrise in admiration.
“I know.” It’s the truth. I miss both of them, but staying here in my teens would have caused too many problems. Too many stupid questions. “ You know I didn’t want to jeopardize anything.”
He takes another go at his cigarette.
“I know.”
We don’t say anything for a while. Just allowing ourselves to enjoy the warm sight of oranges and gold as they extend through the sky and begin to steal away the dark blues and blacks of the night’s beauty.
“Your gym is still a popular spot, it seems,” I voice, recalling a group of jocks talking about Knox Gym and how peeved they were that their applications for entry were denied.
Good. We don’t need fake Alphas trying to act rich and almighty within these walls. All they’ll do is taint the image Knox worked so fucking hard to maintain.
“Word still spreads far and wide,” Knox admits. “We’ve had to turn down a bunch of applicants. A shame, but we only had one person drop a spot this year.”
Damn.
“The entire year?” I have to ask for clarification because Knox is the type to always try to make space for new applicants quarterly.
“No one wants to leave,” Knox laughs as his eyes meet mine. “Can you blame them?”
“Nope.” It’s the truth. “The biggest luxurious gym with the perfect low exposure cinematic aesthetic to make them look like carved gods’ in their social media pictures and videos. How would they possibly give up this space that secures them dates with the very limited pool of Omegas?”
Our society is rather desperate now that there’s an official Omega shortage.
We knew it was coming. We’d been warned for years of the decline in Omegas versus the Alpha ratio, but now, with it looking to be estimated at 1:50, we’re borderline to having an emergency.
The real question is, how do you solve a potential Omega crisis in a society that juggles between whether their existence is valued or disdained?
We Alphas see the value in having an Omega, but logistics don’t help much when half of the Omega population only want a rich, successful Alpha who can spoil them with nothing but designer while they pop babies.
Babies that aren’t guaranteed to become Alphas or Omegas in the future.
As for Omegas, now that they know us Alphas are going to be forced to be desperate in choosing an Omega, the majority seem to get cockier by the season.
If it wasn’t for the government instilling these meets and forcing Omegas to attend—or face severe consequences —I’m positive every Omega would have said ‘fuck Alphas,’ found an island of their own, and lived on it, male-free. Heck, they would rather live with a bunch of bears than us.
Watch our race die.
It’s amusing but then again, a part of me does want an Omega. A part. The remaining percentage would rather take suppressants for the rest of my life, but fuck.
Those have dangerous side effects, and I don’t want to increase my chances of rut-blocker-related diseases. Imagine becoming incompetent in the bedroom because of these blocking capsules. Fuck. The world would never let it go.
“Even having these Alphas flaunt that they come to my gym isn’t strong enough to secure them a second date with an Omega these days,” Knox confesses. “The government is announcing on Monday the official Omega Alpha Population Report. Also wishes to discuss the Knot Their Omega movement.”
“The what?” Now that’s new. “Knot What Movement?”
“Knot Their Omega movement organized by a group of superior Omegas who are tired of the government’s bullshit,” Knox reveals.
“Tell me Velvet’s the leader.” Truthfully, that would have been cool. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was. She’s always been a woman who enjoys pushing everyone’s buttons, especially the government.
It’s one of the reasons why they can’t shut her haven down. She’s s o powerful on the Omega scale of popularity, money, and real estate that going after her would be the stupidest way of starting a gender war in history.
“She’s not,” Knox chuckles. “She was tempted, but even she knows there are only so many buttons you can keep pressing before you’re wiped out of this world, nice and clean.”
Okay. That’s fair.
Even the government runs out of ‘fucks to give’ when money is on the line. All morals go out the door for the sake of financial benefit and popularity in the eyes of greedy men.
“So what does this movement entail?” I might as well get the facts. If these superior Omegas have a chance to implement whatever this movement is about, we’re going to have a problem.
Especially me and my brothers when we’ve yet to find an Omega.
“We’re aware the abuse of Omegas in Alpha packs has skyrocketed the last couple of years,” Knox points out something that’s not talked about enough.
The abuse. The forced marriages. The degrading shit some of these Omegas endure out of their Alpha’s expense and satisfaction—for the most part.
“With the Omegas becoming more aware of our population problem, they wish to reclaim a bit of power in this unbalanced dynamic.”
Don’t blame them.
“So that will encourage such?”
“If the government wants Omegas to continue these mandatory meets, the Omegas, in return, will be allowed to create a set of rules that will be legally binding by this movement, which, if agreed upon with the government, can become an active law.”
“A law?” I gasp in surprise because this is a big fucking deal. Omegas managed to push the government for a movement that favors them and is legally binding. “What big rich Omegas are encouraging this movement? Heck, they have to be seven-to-eight figures.”
“Money talks, bullshit listens,” Knox expresses with a smirk as he rolls his shoulders and proceeds to walk to the ledge of the balcony to outstretch his arms along the metal surface. “From the glimpse of the private broadcast, these Omegas’ identities are protected, meaning they got big-ass pockets. Even the Black Market is being hushed.”
He shrugs and enjoys another go at his cigarette.
“Either way, it looks like the Knot Their Omega law will give the Omega the power to decide on a temporary pack for three months before they can request a long-term commitment. After that request, if the Omega feels compatible with the chosen pack, they can affirm the pack legally and be bound by the law or step it up with marriage, which will reap new benefits for both Alphas and Omegas.”
“And these benefits include?”
I know marriage is sought between Omegas and Alphas because it brings a lot of advantages to Alphas in particular. With more lending money from banks, society advances in rank and power. Better opportunities.
You’re rewarded for being whole.
Omegas, however, don’t reap much of anything. Aside from having a pack to help with their Heat, there isn’t much being offered in return unless their Alphas pamper them like we’re genetically made to do.
“You already know the benefits for Alphas,” Knox notes and takes a look at me, anticipating my nod. “But for Omegas, it will be new. I didn’t get a chance to review everything before coming here, but it mostly surrounds independence. Opportunities to continue careers and positions the Omega carried out before meeting and choosing a pack. The privilege to go out alone, maintain or enroll in further education, drive better-branded cars that aren’t the basic Toyota Corolla, and be privileged to better public transportation options, including luxury Ubers or private drivers.”
“As long as those drivers aren’t male,” I mutter in question, only to see Knox’s smirk.
“You and I both know the answer to that.”
I roll my eyes because I don’t like the mere idea of another man driving my Omega.
As if I even have one.
“So, what happened back there?”
I pout at his words. I secretly hoped he’d forgotten about the little incident he witnessed.
“It was uncalled for.”
“No shit.”
That makes us smirk in unison. Stupid trait.
“Okay, I don’t fucking know,” I groan in defeat. Can’t hide it from him. “I bumped into the Omega who was in that room earlier. Not intentionally. I was distracted, trying to remember what Nate wanted me to do before getting back to the tour bus. I took my blockers as always when coming to places where I may potentially meet an Omega, but…”
I frown as I think about the interaction once more, wishing I could relive it all over again.
I’ve lost my fucking mind.
“I don’t get why I reacted like that, but it won’t happen again,” I vow, but my words aren’t convincing enough for Knox.
“Is she your scent match?”
“No.”
“If you said that a fraction slower, I’d believe you.”
“Ugh.” It’s taking everything in me not to use that other title on him. “And why would you say that?”
Knox takes one last inhale of his cigarette before flicking it off the balcony and heading toward the glass doors.
“Because that’s exactly what was asked of me when I met the sole Omega that had me growling up a storm because another Alpha wanted a sniff.”
I look over my shoulder to see him ready to open the sliding glass door.
“And who caused that reaction from a grizzly bear of a kickboxing champion like you?” I dare to question with a bit of taunt.
Everyone knows Knox is kind, but no one is foolish enough to test the limits of the Pro Global Champion of twenty-five years.
That’s only the accomplishments the public is aware of. Only a few know what he’s really capable of, myself included.
“Velvet.”
I have nothing to say to that, which proves I’m surprised by his admission because Knox hates admitting anything about himself.
Especially a weakness.
“The Omega’s name is Astraea, but I’ll warn you now, Icarus. She’s off-limits.”
“I love how you say that, and yet you gave me her name.”
May not be her entire name, but that won’t stop me from tracking my newfound prey.
“If I didn’t, your growling ass would show up here every morning until you get it from the source, and I don’t want to deal with the second-hand embarrassment of dragging your growling ass out of my gym.”
“Second-hand?”
“Velvet would be dragging you by the ear,” he reminds.
I shiver at the memories.
“Yeah, fuck that.” Embarrassing as hell. “Good call.”
“But don’t go playing with that Omega’s heart like it’s a toy, Icarus,” Knox’s voice is so stern, it makes me understand why he’s warning me.
Don’t play with your food unless you have every intention of eating it. Start to finish.
“You know I’m the least one to worry about here.”
“Oh, I fucking know.” Knox laughs, but it’s not a joyous one. It makes the hairs on my arm rise in clear warning. “Which is why I’m warning you directly since those messed-up bastards only listen to you.”
“They listen to Nate.” The way he turns his head back and props an eyebrow says otherwise. “Alright, maybe not. I’ll be good and if she’s not what we seek, we back off.”
“Back off entirely,” Knox stresses.
“I don’t have addiction issues like someone I know,” I mutter.
“You’re right,” he agrees, accepting the obvious insult. “But you somehow managed to take that stalking gene.”
I look away and grumble ‘whatever’ under my breath.
That’s what you get when both your parents are fucking serial stalkers who fell in love with each other.
“I’ll behave.”
“Good,” he approves. “Make sure you go to the next government meet. You can leave Nate. Don’t need the whole fucking parking lot crowded with horny Omegas wanting an autograph and complementary fucking. He got enough of those useless groupies to fulfill his hypersensitive sex drive.”
“Just admit you hate him.”
“I do. I never hid my distaste for that bastard. How did his father end up with his problematic ass? Reminds me to give thanks every day that my child isn’t as fucked up.”
“I’m sure God hears your gratefulness every day,” I laugh, secretly agreeing with him because it’s true. Nate’s parents are NOTHING like the crazy devil they gave birth to.
Too bad, he’s my best pal.
“Which, by the way. If the law goes into effect, make sure you all read your contracts properly. If you think there’ll be no consequences for going against the Omegas rules, think again.”
Consequences?
“Like what? I’m gonna be forced to wear a cock ring?” I offer in mockery, but Knox’s silence leaves me frowning as I flick my cigarette away. “Seriously?”
“Be a smart ass like Kaiser and read.”
“That’s why Kai is there. Why the fuck do I have to read anything?”
“Because if you don’t, no one else will. Including Kai since you have to force him to.” Even after all these years, Knox still knows the essential traits of each of my pack mates. “And tell Kenji he owes me a new fucking car!”
“Oh…” I thought he forgot about that. “I’ll… send the message.”
“Bullshit,” Knox huffs.
“Nothing else?” I inquire, ensuring this was all we needed to talk about. No empire fights, drug deals, or sudden deaths.
“Just attend the next meet,” he repeats with a hint of urgency. “Observe which Omega will be catching the eyes of more than one pack. Not because of their looks.”
Ah. Gotcha.
Collateral. Value. Power.
“Understood.”
“Good. Let me go calm Velvet before she ignores me for five days.”
“Five days,” I mutter. “I swear it used to be three.”
“Your fault,” he mutters and opens the door. “Remember you went missing for five days, and I brushed it off? Uh-huh.”
“Fuck, we didn’t have service. We were on a damn island,” I argue. “Why would she use that against you?”
“Misery loves company,” he concludes, yet he can’t hide the slight uptick at the corner of his lip as he looks over his shoulder ever so slightly. “You should know that quite well, Talent Manager.”
“I hate you,” I complain in annoyance.
“Yeah, yeah. Love you somewhere in my cold, frozen heart,” he brushes off and gives me a quick wave as he looks away. “Stay a little longer this time. Maybe we can do lunch.”
I think about it.
“That would be nice.” My words barely hit the quiet surface of the balcony, but I know he heard it as he takes his leave.
With a sigh, I pull out my phone, noticing the way it vibrates in a specific pattern. I know it’s Nate, but I ignore it so I can pull up a specific app.
With a type of a single word, images are popping up on my screen, and my smile widens. There’s my pretty little Omega.
“Astraea,” I hum her name like a precious lullaby. “I hope fate prepares you for the rollercoaster you’ve just ignited.”
Once I have a target in mind, I won’t stop…
Until they’re mine.