Page 149 of Tangled in Knots

CHAPTER 31

ADIRA

“This is Emilia Richardson, on What Omegas Should Know…”

I’m listening on the laptop Damon slipped into my backpack, lips pursed. I got into the shelter about a half hour ago, and this is the second podcast I’ve listened to from ROWS.

They are short and not very sweet. The problem is, if I was a closeted omega who didn’t know any different, I would believe this bitch’s nonsense.

“The world is dangerous, and if at all possible, you shouldn’t leave your home after six in the afternoon. Live with your parents as long as possible, and allow them to choose good, strong alphas for your pack,”Emilia intones. “These are the best tenets of how to remain safe. One of our listeners asked a question on our blog that’s worth responding to. I’m certain others have this same question.”

“Oh really, Emilia?” I grumble, hitting pause on the podcast, so I can call Duncan. I need to tell him about my dinner with Cian and his father, but I also need someone to be outraged with me.

“Hello,”Duncan answers the phone. “You’re home already? How did it go?”

“It went really well, and I have to update you. First, I need to rant,” I growl.

“Callum! The pretty little omega needs to vent,”Duncan calls out.

“Duncan, that could be literally anyone,” I tell him with a laugh.

“Nah,” Callum says. I know him so well, I’m sure he plopped himself down by his older brother to talk. “You’re the only one by that description it could be, Adira. Now please rant away.”

“Did you know that Emilia Richardson had a podcast?” I ask. “I just found out tonight during dinner, and they’re awful.”

“Awful because she’s a cavernous twatwaffle?” Duncan asks.

“No, but that’s a very good guess,” I tell him, smirking. “She’s giving omegas life advice, and people are actually asking her questions! At least, that's what she says.”

“Alright, kiddo. May as well let us have a listen,”Callum says, sounding resigned.

Giving a triumphant squeak that has them chuckling, I click play on the podcast.

“The question this sweet little omega has is the following: what are appropriate workforce positions for an omega? Now, there are several I recommend, as younger omegas should be helpful and quiet. They are: receptionists, lab assistants, medical billing, and call centers. These are the perfect, safe positions for omegas.”

“That’s it?” Duncan asks, aghast.

“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,”Callum grunts.

“They’re all like this,” I sigh, turning off the nasally omega’s voice. “How many omegas are in their rooms listening to this woman as if she hung the damn moon?”

“You’re really worked up about this,”Duncan murmurs. “There aren’t any other podcasts that dubunk her bullshit. You said she just started doing these, right?”

“There’s three months of content up,” I grumble. “Cian says if I’m looking for something meaningful to do that I should record counter recordings. I’m a nobody who lives in a shelter, guys. I’m twenty-two and am the authority of nothing.”

“Aye, poor little omega,”Duncan croons. “You know that’s bullshit. You can record at our house. We’ll build you out a cute little room to stick it to the old hag. Now, no more sad sap talk. You’re in a small span of time where you’re rebuilding. Be nicer to yourself.”

“Fine,” I sigh. “In other news, my aunt may or may not have had something to do with my mother’s death. Proceed with caution.”

“Adira!” Duncan and Callum yell, causing me to roll my eyes. I had to get their attention somehow.

I explain my suspicions and everything that happened today.

“Short Stuff had a makeout session,”Duncan crows. “That’s the most important thing you said to me, by the way. I’ll poke around carefully, I promise. It explains why she kind of fell off the face of the planet. I’m going to get someone to poke into any possible bank records, ask some people I know outside of Missouri about her as well. Cassia Firestone, is it?”

“I believe so, no one mentioned that she’s packed up,” I say. “If she and Rock could be working together, this could get interesting.”

“I got it,” Duncan reassures me. “I have been getting really fun calls threatening my life for buying an omega at an auction from my parents, Adira. You’re going to need to save me, or Dad will spring a hunt for his not so favorite sons through my woods.”

---