Knot Your Kismet

Independent Omega

Calista

“Iwant to apply for an Omega Sterilization. Can you help me?” I lean back in the rolling chair, attempting to put more space between me and Ivy Daines, the owner of the Omega Resort and the head alpha of the Omega Independence Program.

I’ve been a resident for three years now, from the moment I turned eighteen and eligible for a pack.

But that’s not why omegas come here. We’re here because we want something different.

As for me? It’s to never be forced into a new pack.

I’d love to live life as a beta, doing whatever I want.

I don’t crave power or money. This sterilization will almost guarantee the life I’ve dreamed about since the moment my dad forced me to watch what happens when omegas don’t comply.

What he didn’t realize was that Mom has always been resilient.

And that moment, as she stared into my teary eyes as he raised his fist at her…

“You want to apply for what?” Ivy Daines’s sharp voice snaps my attention away from my fisted hand and back to her. She rests her arms on the glass desk, allowing her brunette waves to frame her face. “Where the hell did this idea come from? I thought you loved it here.”

I knew this wouldn’t be easy, but I had a small amount of hope that Ivy would understand without me having to tell her that my mind was made up.

I’m not one of the omegas from a rich pack, who wants to get the partying and packless life out of their systems before settling down.

My mom paid one helluva price that put me on this path.

Dad committed the ultimate crime among alphas. The United Alpha Democracy doesn’t tolerate abuse, and his behavior destroyed Pack Costa, opening Mom up to find a new pack.

His foul behavior brought my mom to someone worthy.

While I believe she has always loved Henry, I know it hasn’t always been easy.

Henry’s first omega died only a year before they met.

She was cherished among all of Pack Kismet and had been his teenage sweetheart.

When he met Mom, she was struggling with our former pack.

He had a soft spot and invited us into Pack Kismet to help them both.

Henry and Mom might have gotten together out of convenience, since power remains with a pack that includes an omega, but they had the best intentions for each other.

As for me, being the bonus omega gave me this opportunity.

Packs can sponsor omegas who want to stay with them to be part of the Omega Independence Program.

Money does buy mostly everything, and Pack Kismet spent a lot to give me mine.

Which is why I’m here now. I’ve taken enough from them.

The financial strain on packs giving omegas independence is to encourage omegas to find their own packs, which is something I’ve knocked completely off the table.

“Cali? Talk to me. You’re shutting down without giving us a chance to talk through this.” Ivy once again drags my attention back to her. I can’t help spacing out. I already know her answer, and it’s pointless to argue. I’ll have to figure out some other way.

“Talk through this or have you waste your time trying to convince me to continue doing something I’m not interested in? I don’t want to date anymore. I’m not open to finding a pack. I just go along with things for extra money. I need it for—”

Ivy raises her hands. “Okay, okay. I hear you loud and clear. It’s just that you’re not quite there yet. Applying costs money. A lot of it. You have to show you’re capable of taking care of yourself as well. The United Alpha Democracy won’t risk putting an unready omega into the world.”

“My pack is willing to pay. I have enough saved up from working at The Lounge. I’m ready.

I only asked to meet with you as a formality, Ivy.

” I straighten my back, wishing my chair was positioned higher.

Right now, Ivy looks down on me from her side of the desk.

“I was hoping you’d be on my side. You know what I’ve been through. ”

Dropping her head to rest on her arms, Ivy groans, hiding her face from me.

I expected her to argue, but she embraces defeat with the dignity I wish more alphas would.

“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to look out for you.

You’re one of my girls. It’s hard to let go, you know.

I’ve been looking after you for so long.

If you go through with this and your application is accepted, you no longer qualify to be here.

I’ll miss you. I don’t think you realize how much I think of you as one of my pack members.

It’s why I’ve been pushing you to become self-sufficient from your sponsors.

It was intended to have you stay here and not run off to a boring life as a beta. We make a good team, don’t you think?”

Her admission shocks me speechless.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the Omega Independence Program of Nevada, one of the largest Pack Bonding Initiative companies in the state, I assumed her guidance had something to do with earning as much money for her pack as possible.

Or possibly it was a power move, since I know she has a thing for keeping what other alphas want most in the world away from them.

Because she’s a female alpha, she can’t truly claim an omega under the law, so this is how she manages to maintain power.

“Sterilization is life changing, Cali. You’re still so young. You could change your mind. You could fall in love with someone. You could…”

It takes me biting the inside of my bottom lip not to scream at her.

All those what-if scenarios mean nothing to me.

I don’t want children, ever. Our world works in fucked up ways disguised as a way of protecting those who need it.

Falling in love doesn’t equate to procreating in my book.

As for my age? If that were the case, then people would also consider me too young to make the opposite decision.

Bringing up all my points is useless. Ivy promotes false independence.

“Give things another year, Cali. Please,” Ivy continues, her pleas sounding whiny.

She flutters her brown eyes as if she can use them against me.

“You haven’t even experienced all the benefits of being a resident of the Omega Resort.

You should dive into what we have to offer.

We have hundreds of alphas waiting to dote on you with no strings attached.

More financial opportunities beyond your silly gig at The Lounge.

You can have any of that if you apply…and if they reject your application…

” Ivy shakes her head, her eyes shifting to stare past me. “It’s not good.”

What is she even talking about? I had no idea that there could be possible consequences if they deny my request for an Omega Sterilization. My mom never mentioned it when I brought it up to her a few weeks ago.

“But if you put off your decision, the odds will be better. I care about you, Cali. I’m not trying to scare you or anything.

I just want you to put more thought into this and give it time.

” Ivy fills the silence because I can’t find the words to say.

I was hoping she would make it easy. I even have plans to meet Mom and Henry tomorrow. They were going to arrange everything.

Now I don’t even know what to do.

“One year,” Ivy says.

I nod my head. She’s no longer asking but telling me. I can feel it in my instincts as an omega. Her alpha aroma grows stronger by the second. She’s trying to use her scent to control me.

I remain unfazed. I have years of practice ignoring pheromones. It helps that I put a dab of scent blocker under my nose. It doesn’t stop me from noticing an alpha, but it does help against falling for my nature.

“If I wait a year, you promise that you’ll help me apply?

Your recommendation could very well be the deciding factor for my approval.

” Because I know Pack Kismet’s won’t be enough.

They’ll be considered too close to me to make a clear decision.

Ivy is an outside alpha, and she doesn’t have any sway in what really happens to my life.

She is just here as a guardian of sorts.

Ivy stretches her arm and holds out her pinky finger, waiting for me to hook mine with hers. “You have my word, Cali. And who knows, maybe you won’t want to apply after all. I wasn’t lying about everything you haven’t experienced yet at the Omega Resort. I think it’s time you’ve had some fun.”

I don’t want the type of fun she suggests, but I don’t say it. I’m not giving up just because she thinks this is a bad decision. I’ll just have to figure something else out. There’s always another way. It’s my mom’s mantra that I live by.

“How about we start now?” Ivy doesn’t give me a chance to respond before she strides around her desk and pulls me to my feet. “I have some alphas I need to meet up with. It’ll be a great opportunity.”

What? This is happening too fast.

“I’m not feeling great. I think I’ll just go back to my apartment. I have a phone date with my mom anyway.” I try to tug my arm from Ivy, but she only holds me tighter.

Snatching an orange bottle off her filing cabinet, Ivy shakes the pills in front of my face. “You’ll feel better soon enough. Here, take one of these.”

My stomach clenches with nerves. I have no idea what kind of medication it is, and there’s no way I’m taking it.

Ivy’s sudden change in demeanor freaks me out and I manage to spin in such a way that breaks her hold on me.

I reach the door before her and open it, frowning as she stares at me with wide eyes, her forehead wrinkling.

“Let’s hang out some other time. I just need the night, okay? I don’t want my mom to be worried.” Without waiting for her response, I shut her office door, hoping it’s enough time to get to the elevator back to my apartment.

I hear her call my name but don’t look back. I rush to the stairs instead.