Page 131 of Knot All is Forgiven

"I just expected this to be so different."

Walter freezes, looking around anxiously. I doubt he has any more of an idea of what to do with a crying Omega than I would. But this crying Omega is mine, and I can't sit by and listen to her when she is in so much pain.

Stepping around the corner with purpose, I lock eyes with Dr. Talbot. "Oh, Walter, I was just coming to see you!"

"Vick?" Jordan's voice floats through the open door. "What are you doing here?"

Walter pushes the door open, giving me an unobstructed view of the woman I love. Her face is red, and her eyes are swollen, but she still looks like a vision in front of me.

"I was here to pick up some research. What are you doing here, Jordan?" I push into the room and drop to my knees in front of her. "What's going on, sunshine?"

"She was here about the Omega gene," Walter supplies.

"What happened to doctor-patient confidentiality?" she snarls.

Walter looks regretful when he replies, "It doesn't apply between an Omega and their Alpha. Legally, I have to tell him if he asks."

"Of course, it doesn't!" she shouts, jumping to her feet so quickly I fall on my ass. "Why would it? I thought that the whole Perfect Omega trial was a farce because why would it even make it that far in the legal system? Arguing her personhood in court was fucking moronic. But I guess I see it now. I don't have rights to a job unless the company is comfortable hiring an Omega. God forbid I don't tell people I'm one." Her hands shake as she clenches her fists against her thighs.

Her red hair is pulled tight in a severe bun, and she's dressed like she's on her way to a boardroom. What was her plan? To somehow turn the gene off, march back to HUG, and demand her job back?

"Jordan, why don't we head home and talk through this?" I reach for her hand, but she yanks it away.

"Oh yes, the poor little Omega can't decide for herself and needs her Alpha to help her."

I show her my palms and step back. "That's not at all what I'm saying, Jordan. But as Dr. Talbot explained, we can't turn the gene off. I meant, let's head home and talk about how you're feeling. Maybe we'll call Dr. K on the way?"

Mentioning her therapist has her body deflating and sagging back in her chair. Her glassy eyes blink at me, and I rush to gather her in my arms. "I thought all of my problems would besolved if I presented. Why does it feel like I've lost all control of my life?"

Walter clears his throat, looking massively uncomfortable, and I scoop Jordan under her knees and carry her bridal style out of his office and to my car as I speak. "I don't know, my love, but your frustration is valid. This has been a strange, chaotic time for you, and I don't blame you for thinking things would be easier if you still presented as a Beta."

I quietly slip past a nervous-looking Crystal, who ducks her chin respectfully as we pass. I'm very grateful to the Omega for calling me. Who knows where Jordan would've ended up if she didn't?

"But," I say gently. "Even if we could deactivate the gene, being around the four of us would most likely reactivate it. You'd have to leave us for it to stick."

She chews her lip and avoids eye contact. I try not to read into it, but it's obvious.

She knew that and was trying to deactivate the gene anyway,

Placing her gently in the passenger seat and buckling her in, I walk around the back of the car slowly to give myself a moment to breathe and process.

My Omega was going to leave me. She is so frustrated at being an Omega that she was willing to give me up.

No.

I need to stop these thoughts before they spiral. This had nothing to do with me. Jordan is struggling, and she was thinking about how to improve it. It was not personal.

My phone buzzes with a text message.

Simon

Do you have her?

I'm worried

Please check in

Cyrus

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