Page 12 of Knot Happening Again

But then Samantha's voice comes back, warm and reassuring. "Of course! We've actually worked with several omegas in similar situations recently. It's more common than you might think."

I blink, stunned. "Really?"

"Absolutely," Samantha confirms. "You can mention it in the onboarding questionnaire along with your other informationwhen you come in. We'll make sure we match you with alphas or packs who are comfortable dealing with incomplete marks."

Hope flutters in my chest. It's a fragile, unfamiliar feeling. But then, I'm not just a normal omega with a broken mark. Something tells me they don't have any other clients with unlocked scents. "How long does all this take? The questionnaire and everything?"

"Oh, not long at all! The questionnaire itself only takes about half an hour. You could come in today if you like. From there, matches happen pretty quickly."

I glance at the clock. It's barely noon. I could be there and back before my next dose of suppressants wears off. And with my heat looming... well, I'm desperate enough to give just about anything a try at this point.

"Okay," I hear myself say. "I'll come in today. What's the address?"

Samantha rattles off an address in the business district, not far from where I live. I jot it down on the back of the brochure, my handwriting shaky.

"Wonderful!" Samantha chirps. "We'll see you soon, then. Just ask for me at the front desk when you arrive."

I mumble a goodbye and hang up, staring at my phone in disbelief. Did I really just do that? Am I really going to go through with this?

But as another cramp twists through my abdomen, I know I don't have much choice. It's this or...

Well, I don't want to think about the alternative.

I haul myself out of my nest, wincing at the ache in my muscles. A quick glance in the mirror confirms what I already knew. I look like hell. Dark circles under my eyes, hair a tangled mess, skin pale and clammy.

Not exactly the picture of omega allure.

But it doesn't matter, right? This isn't about finding a mate. It's just about getting through my heat without ending up bonded or broke.

I can do this.

I throw on the first clean clothes I can find. A pair of leggings and an oversized sweater that hangs off one shoulder. It's not exactly professional, but it's comfortable, and right now, that's all I care about.

The walk to the Temporary Bonds office takes longer than it should. Every step sends a jolt of discomfort through my body, a reminder of why I'm doing this. By the time I reach the sleek glass building, I'm sweating and shaky.

I pause outside, taking in the modern facade. It's nothing like the seedy clubs and ruthouses I'm used to. This place looks... legitimate. Professional. The kind of place respectable omegas might actually come to for help.

Not thatI'mrespectable.

Not anymore.

But maybe they can help me anyway.

I push through the revolving door, stepping into a lobby that wouldn't look out of place in a high-end hotel. Soft lighting, tasteful artwork on the walls, comfortable-looking seating areas scattered about. The air is thick with pheromone inhibitors, masking any trace of alpha or omega scents.

A friendly-looking beta woman sits behind a curved reception desk, her smile bright as she looks up at me. "Welcome to Temporary Bonds! How can I help you today?"

I approach the desk hesitantly, still half-expecting to be thrown out. "Um, I'm here to see Samantha? I called earlier about... about heat assistance."

The beta's smile doesn't falter. "Of course! Samantha mentioned we might be expecting you. If you'll just have a seat, she'll be with you in a moment."

I nod, sinking into one of the plush armchairs scattered around the lobby. It's so comfortable, I have to fight the urge to curl up and nest right there. I distract myself by taking in more details of the decor—the abstract paintings on the walls, the potted plants in every corner, the soft music playing just on the edge of hearing.

It's all so... normal.

Nothing like the places I usually end up.

No alphas prowling around, eyeing me like a piece of meat. No omegas dolled up and on display. Just a calm, professional atmosphere that almost makes me believe this might actually work.

---