Page 145 of Hard Knot

"What is this all about?" Victoria demands, her voice carrying that artificial sweetness that sets my teeth on edge. "Using her to make some sort of dramatic scene?"

I sigh, already tired of this confrontation.

"It's not that serious," I say, "though I'm sure you'd love the drama. We're just heading to class."

She lifts her chin, somehow looking down her nose at me despite our similar height.

"Last time I checked, Forgotten Ones go that way." She points toward the longer path I usually take, her gesture dripping with condescension.

I roll my eyes, not bothering to argue as I start to move in that direction.

The guys will follow, and we can avoid this whole?—

Holmes' hand tightens around mine, keeping me in place.

"What's wrong?" I ask, looking up at him.

"We're going this way," he says firmly, nodding toward the golden gates that lead directly to the classroom building. "Not taking a fifteen-minute detour just because some people think they own the paths."

"Does someone need to remind you of your Omega's position?" Victoria's voice carries that edge of authority she loves to wield.

The movement happens so fast I barely register it — one moment we're standing normally, and the next Holmes has closed the distance to Victoria, still holding my hand but now towering over her with unmistakable menace.

"October fourth," he says, his voice carrying that dangerous edge I'm learning to recognize. "From this point forward, I don't want to see your face." He pauses, tapping his sunglasses meaningfully. "And yes, I mean 'see' your face, though I wouldn't wish for the privilege of witnessing your ugliness with clear vision."

Gasps ripple through our growing audience, mixed with a few poorly concealed snickers.

"Elizabeth Abercrombie is the Omega of the Tainted Three," Holmes continues, his voice carrying across the courtyard.

"Four," James corrects smoothly.

"Notorious Four," I can't help but add. "Sounds more diabolical."

They all turn to look at me, and I shrug.

"What?"

Carter's laugh breaks the tension as he steps forward.

"Let me make this crystal clear for everyone listening," he announces, his voice carrying that dangerous playfulness that makes him so lethal. "Elizabeth Abercrombie is the property of the Notorious Four of Hard Knot Academy. If anyone has a problem with that, they can deal with Felix."

Felix adjusts his glasses, everyone's attention shifting to him.

"Why me?" he asks mildly. "I don't have a black belt."

"No," Carter grins. "You're a computer software engineer."

The gasps this time carry real fear, though I find myself pouting in confusion.

"Why is that a big deal?"

James chuckles beside me.

"It's common knowledge on TikTok that if you piss off a software engineer, they'll leak all your shit on the internet, including your social security number which will basically ruin your life in under five minutes."

"Diabolical!" I gasp, turning to Felix with newfound appreciation. "That's such a flex."

A blush creeps across Felix's cheeks as he adjusts his glasses again.

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