Page 4 of Knot Your Business

Faedra taps her fingers against her clutch, pressing it into her stomach like a protective shield.

“Deep breath, Faedra.” I clasp her elbow as the elevator opens to the main lobby. “Alphas are going to be interested in you, I promise.”

Who wouldn’t be interested in her? She’s gorgeous, her red hair falling in perfect combed-through curls over one shoulder, her freckles dotting her skin like kisses of sun, her green eyes reminding me of Seattle in the summer. She’s vibrant and confident and sharp as a nail, her intellect downright arousing. Everyone knows just how beautiful she is. Except, it seems, her… which is the cruelest irony.

She doesn’t say anything as we cross the hotel floor but offers a smile to the doorman who helps us out onto the busy sidewalk. There’s a nondescript black car pulled to the curb, hazards flashing orange in the glow of the sunset, and she cuts a direct line for it, leaving me to catch up to her. Once we’re both settled in the back seat, the driver gives a small nod and starts the twenty block trek across Manhattan, right into the heart of billionaire’s row.

By the time we’ve reached the third red light, Faedra is rolled into herself, her shoulders nearly to her ears.

“You’re even more quiet than normal,” I say, trying to get her talking. If she clams up now, the night is going to be a nightmare. When she shrugs, I lace our fingers together. “Once the awkward first round of mingling fades, it’ll be good. The first ten minutes are always uncomfortable at big events like this.”

I intentionally don’t think about all the private galas I’ve had to attend with my parents. I try to not resent my dad’s wealth, his influence, but those parties are always dreadful.

Faedra doesn’t seem convinced, messing with one of her piercings, looking out over the city.

“By the time the dancing starts, I’m sure you’ll have found at least one Alpha that you like.”

She shrugs before saying, “I had to switch to the big suppressant.”

“Oh shit, Fae,” I say before I can reel in my reaction.

How many does that make now? I can’t remember. She glances at me, chewing at her bottom lip.

“Is this your…” I think back quickly, trying to track them over the last couple years. “Third?”

She nods once, and I grimace. I’ve heard horror stories of one suppressed heat. I can’t even imagine how rough it must be suppressing three in a row. Faedra sighs.

“I just worry that I won’t be…” She twirls her hand near her head. “Omega enough, Vi. I don’t crave touch the way you do. I don’t desire to be around people all the time or hear compliments, either.”

Except she does. Every time someone mentions how her hair looks or that they like her outfit, she lights up. And not craving touch is a common symptom of the suppressants. I keep my mouth shut, though, knowing she just needs to get it out. Faedra gets like this, stuck up in her head. If I get her talking, she tends to calm down—and tonight, she needs to be as calm and relaxed as possible.

“What happens if no pack wants me, and I have to go through a heat alone?”

My chest tightens. I grab her arm and squeeze her hand.

How long has she been worried that she’ll go unmatched? I’ve been sitting here stewing over my mother’s social climbing by proxy, and my best friend has been agonizing over the—completely unfounded and virtually unheard of—potential of not being matched with any active and available packs after tonight’s gala.

“They’ll want you, Fae. You’re witty, smart, graceful. Not to mention a fucking bombshell.” Her lip quirks up, and I mentally high five myself. “Don’t worry. There’ll be good packs there that you’ll fit with.”

The car slows, falling in behind several other nondescript vehicles stopping at the curb. I unbuckle and grab my clutch, watching a group of guys get out of the SUV in front of us and head toward the waiting throng of cameras on their way to the entrance of the event center.

“I know this is practically impossible for you,” I say, “but try to turn off that analytic brain and just have fun tonight. That’s what the Council wants to see—it’s part of why they don’t show up here in person.”

That, and to keep prying outsiders from trying to bribe them into making certain matches. Universe knows, my mom would be all over them in a heartbeat if any of them actually showed up to one of these to witness it all.

The car edges forward and a valet rushes to open our door, his blue polo matching the rest of the staff working the outside of the event. I take the hand he offers, using it to give myself an extra moment to get situated in the thin heels, twisting to make sure Faedra is managing all right. The golden hue of her clutch flashes against the black leather of the car, and I grab it before the valet can close the door.

I tuck it into her hands, interrupting her nervous fidgeting and smoothing of her dress.

“Clutch,” I murmur.

I keep my eyes trained on the group of media workers, noting two reporters heading our direction. One has that look in their eye—the one that means they recognize who I am. Faedra mutters a curse, and I manage a small laugh. She doesn’t seem to notice just how tense it is—a testament to her own nerves. I force myself to relax and remember the years of training my Papa paid for so I wouldn’t start throwing punches at these types of things. Keeping my steps sure, I move past the red carpet entry, bypassing it for the more normal walk toward the entrance. Faedra’s breathless laugh follows as she keeps a step behind me.

The news reporter from earlier, her brown eyes sharper than her winged liner, steps in front of me, her microphone held confidently toward us. Faedra steps around me, keeping her head ducked away from the woman. Can’t blame her. She glances at me, and I wink before focusing on the woman again.

“Everyone’s been waiting for you to match, Miss Fallon.” It takes every well-trained muscle in my body to not scowl at the woman. “What’s it like for you to finally be standing at the precipice of your Matching Gala?”

“Oh, I’m just excited to have a night of fun,” I say, intentionally bright and upbeat. The woman nods and smiles in encouragement. I ham it up just for her benefit. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m ready to make the most of it!”

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