Page 127 of Knot All is Forgiven

"Whatever you need to do," Ronda says, interjecting herself into the meeting for the first time. "I can easily put together some interviews or guest features on talk shows so Cyrus can talk about the poor treatment of his Omega."

His Omega.

For some reason, it chafes me that I'm called that instead of my name. It's like my only worth is in his ownership of me.

I know she didn't mean it that way, but it still stings.

"Whatever you all think is right." I have to force the words out of my dry throat.

"It can't hurt to try," Rafe agrees. "Let us know what they say."

Chapter forty-eight

I've barely left mynest in two days. I don't want to talk about this to the guys. My emotions are so chaotic that I cannot explain my feelings to them.

How do I tell them that the thing I asked for for so long suddenly feels like a curse?

When I dreamed about being Omega, I only thought about bonding with my Alphas and living in bliss together, piling up in my nest for heats. I imagined a future where I was the center of a family unit that loved and supported each other in every way. Maybe a few kids, some pets. A big house filled with love and a gorgeous nest that we all struggled to leave. We would be a group of people who would do anything for each other.

But that's what I get for dreaming, huh?

Nothing has gone how I imagined it would.

In some ways, that's been good. I never would've thought to include Icarus in those dreams, and now I couldn't imagine being without his steadfast support and love.

But if these past few days have shown me anything, it's that maybe being an Omega isn't all it's cracked up to me.

"Are you going to be okay here alone?" Cyrus calls through the door.

"Yep, lived alone for a long time," I snap. It's not his fault, but I can't help but be pissed at him. If I had presented earlier, I doubt I would have developed such a robust career. My frustrated brain is blaming the Stargazers all over again for ditching me, as if that would have prevented this specific heartbreak I'm going through.

I know that's unfair, but I can't bring myself to care. I want to wallow.

"Understood. The other guys are out, too, so please text or call if you need anything." He doesn't disrespect me by coming into the nest uninvited, instead speaking to me through the closed door.

I hear him sigh deeply through the wooden door when I don't respond. "I love you, Jordan." His voice is so quiet that if I weren't purposefully trying to hear him, I doubt I would hear him. "We'll figure this out."

Over the next hour, I barely moved, entertaining myself by watching Dae and Blush chase each other around the edge of the nest.

It is truly beautiful in here. Picking out all of the furnishings with the guys was so fun, despite the scare that led to it, but now a bitter taste coats my tongue when I see them.

My phone vibrates in my hand, and a number I don't recognize flashes across the screen.

"Hello?"

"Jordan, it's Julia."

I sink further into the pale grey pillow behind me. "Hey, Julia. What have you got for me?"

"We met with HUG's team. Unfortunately, it's worse than we thought."I can hear the pity in her voice, and my stomach tightens.

"What do you mean?"

"They have documentation from an employee that said since you presented, you've been erratic, forgetting meetings, walking out of appointments, disappearing at all hours of the day, and taking unapproved leave."

My stomach drops out of my ass, and I sit in stunned silence, blinking at the phone in my hand.

What the actual fuck?

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