Page 17 of Knot Happening

As I navigated this new reality, my thoughts often drifted to Darcy McCarthy, the omega whose light seemed to pierce the darkness that threatened to consume me.She was like a distant star, a beacon of hope in the bleak expanse of my life.I watched her from afar, my obsession growing with each passing day.I convinced myself that I was simply looking out for her, that my interest was born of a desire to protect her from the harshness of our world.

But the truth was far more complex.Darcy represented everything I could never have—purity, strength, and a sense of belonging that eluded my grasp.She was a fire that warmed the coldest corners of my soul, a melody that soothed the relentless storm that raged within me.

I took to following her, a silent shadow amidst the chaos of our lives.I told myself it was for her own good, that my presence served as a shield against the dangers that lurked in the shadows.But with each passing day, the lines between protector and predator began to blur, and I found myself grappling with the realization that my need for her had become an obsession that threatened to unravel the fragile threads of my newfound identity.

eighteen

JIN

When I was nineteen,I heard whispers in the undercurrent of the city, hushed tones that spoke of the McCarthy estate and the positions they were seeking to fill.The rumors of high pay and the chance to step inside the hallowed halls of one of the most influential families in the region were too tempting to ignore.It was an opportunity that seemed tailor-made for someone in my precarious situation, someone who needed to blend in, to become invisible in plain sight.

The decision to apply was an easy one.I had perfected the art of pretense, the de-scent lotion and beta pheromone perfume, my constant companions.They were my camouflage, my shield against a world that would condemn me for the alpha I was born to be.I slathered the lotion onto my skin, the scent of bourbon and cedar fading until it was undetectable beneath the nondescript aroma of a beta.

I stood in front of the polished mahogany doors of the McCarthy estate, my heart a steady drumbeat in my chest.The interview was a blur of questions and affirmations, my answers were practiced and convincing.I was a beta, diligent and unassuming, eager to serve and uphold the esteemed reputation of the McCarthy family.They bought the lie, hook, line, and sinker.

The moment I stepped onto the estate grounds as a member of the staff, I felt a surge of triumph.It was a victory, not just of deception, but of survival.I was in, closer than I had ever dared to dream.But with proximity came the risk of exposure, a dance along the edge of a blade that could cut deeper than any physical wound.

I watched her from the corners of rooms, from behind the veil of my new identity.Darcy McCarthy, the omega whose strength was the stuff of legends within the Omega Underground.I listened as others spoke of her in hushed tones of awe and admiration, her ability to navigate the oppressive expectations of her family while secretly honing her skills as a coder.

The more I learned about her, the more I found myself drawn into her orbit.I couldn't help but be captivated by her resilience, her determination to carve out a life of her own making.It was that admiration that compelled me to act, to aid her in the pursuit of her independence.I used my connections, my knowledge of the city's digital underbelly to help her secure clients for her coding work.I was careful, meticulous in ensuring that my assistance remained a ghost in the machine, untraceable and unknown.

As the days turned into weeks, my role at the McCarthy estate became a well-rehearsed performance.I moved through the grand corridors and opulent rooms, a specter among the elite, always watching, always listening.And all the while, I waited for the chance to make myself indispensable to the woman who had unwittingly become the center of my world.

The first time our paths crossed, it was like a punch to the gut.Her coconut and vanilla scent wafted towards me as she glided down the corridor, her blue eyes reflecting an inner fire that no amount of political maneuvering could extinguish.I froze, a statue among the luxury, as the realization hit me like a wave—she was my scent match.The world seemed to narrow to that one undeniable truth, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe.

But I was a specter, a mere beta in the grand scheme of her life.I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not when the stakes were so high.My heart hammered in my chest as I forced myself to nod respectfully, to blend into the background as she passed by without a second glance.It was torture, this proximity without the possibility of connection.

I was torn, caught between the desire to wrap her in my protection and the reality that such a thing was impossible.I had nothing to offer her, no sanctuary from the life she was born into.The Omega Underground had been my lifeline, my connection to a world where I could be more than the sum of my genetic parts.But they couldn't even help us now.

So, I did the only thing I could—I continued to watch over her from the shadows.When she was out with her father, paraded around like a prized pony at an auction, I slipped into her room.My actions were a violation, I knew that, but I told myself it was for her safety.I hid cameras in strategic locations, places where they would go unnoticed by her or the rest of the household staff.

I began to really observe her, to learn the rhythms of her life.I watched her code, her fingers flying across the keyboard with a deftness that spoke of her passion for the work.I saw the way she curled up in her nest, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she found a moment of solace in the chaos of her world.I noticed the way her smile didn't quite reach her eyes when she spoke to her father, the subtle way she recoiled from his touch.

With each passing day, my protective instincts grew stronger.I hated the life she was trapped in, the expectations that weighed heavily on her shoulders.I wanted to tear down the walls of her gilded cage, to set her free from the political machinations that sought to control her.

But I was just a ghost in her life.My resources were limited, my options even more so.I could do nothing but watch and wait, my heart aching with the knowledge that I could offer her no reprieve from her suffering.The cameras were my only link to her, a silent witness to her struggles.

As I sat in my modest room in the staff quarters, the screens before me flickered with images of Darcy.I drank in the sight of her, committing every detail to memory.I was playing a dangerous game, one that could cost me everything if I was discovered.

But as I watched her, I knew that I would risk it all for the chance to see her safe and free.The realization was both terrifying and exhilarating, a secret I held close to my heart as I continued my vigil, ever watchful, ever waiting.

nineteen

JIN

I can't recallthe exact moment when my role in Darcy's life shifted from passive observer to her silent guardian.Perhaps it was the subtle shift in her expression when she thought no one was watching, or the way her shoulders tensed when certain guests lingered too long.Whatever it was, it ignited a fierce protective streak within me that refused to be ignored.

I began my covert operations with small acts of kindness.I fixed the loose floorboard in the hallway that had caused her to stumble more than once.I oiled the creaking hinges on her bedroom door so that her sanctuary remained undisturbed.I even made sure that her favorite snacks were always well-stocked in the kitchen when she retreated to her nest during her more trying moments.

It was a delicate balancing act, ensuring that these interventions went unnoticed.I couldn't risk exposing my hand, my true nature as an alpha, or worse, my obsession with her.So, I kept to the shadows, a benevolent ghost ensuring that her world ran smoothly while she navigated the treacherous waters of her father's political ambitions.

But my control was tested whenever other alphas prowled around her, their eyes greedy and their intentions clear.My jealousy was a living thing inside me, a snarling beast that demanded I stake my claim.But I had no claim to make, no right to assert my presence in her life.Instead, I channeled my possessiveness into ensuring that these unworthy suitors found reasons to keep their distance.

A word in the right ear about an impending rut, a discreetly placed obstacle that delayed their approach—such trivial matters could be manipulated to my advantage.I orchestrated these minor disruptions with a careful hand, my actions always one step removed from any suspicion falling on me.

One particular alpha, a pompous politician's son with a scent that reeked of insincerity, made it his mission to court Darcy.The way he looked at her, as if she were a prize to be won, made my blood boil.I couldn't stand the thought of his hands on her, his scent mingling with hers.

So, I intervened.I doctored his drink with a mild sedative during a party, causing him to excuse himself early, his pride wounded as he stumbled away.I made sure that his car had a flat tire when he attempted to visit her the following day, delaying him just long enough for Darcy to retreat to the safety of her room.

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