Page 18 of Knot Happening

With each successful deterrence, I felt a perverse sense of satisfaction.I knew I was playing with fire, that my actions could have serious repercussions if discovered.But the alternative—standing by and doing nothing—was unthinkable.

As I watched Darcy from the hidden cameras, a sense of calm washed over me.She was safe, for now, her path free from the unwanted advances of those who would seek to control her.I allowed myself a moment of pride at the small but significant ways I had managed to ease her burdens.

I had become a master of subterfuge, a silent sentinel in the margins of Darcy's life.Every day, I sacrificed a little more of myself to ensure her safety and comfort.My vigilance was unwavering, my dedication to her well-being my sole focus.Sleep became a luxury I could ill afford, its embrace stolen by the need to watch over her.I existed on minimal sustenance, my body running on sheer willpower alone.

My morning routine was a careful dance with danger.The beta pheromone perfume was my cloak, the de-scent lotion my shield.I applied them with the precision of a surgeon, ensuring that not a single inch of skin was left unattended.The fear of discovery was a constant companion, its whispers a relentless reminder of the precariousness of my situation.

Each application of the perfume and lotion chipped away at my spirit.They were a necessary evil, a means to an end.But the cost was high.The chemicals seeped into my pores, a bitter cocktail that left my skin itchy and raw.I could feel the alpha within me chafing at the restrictions, a caged beast raging against its confinement.

The psychological toll was immense.Living a lie was exhausting, the effort it took to maintain my beta persona was a drain on my already depleted reserves.The suppression of my alpha nature was like holding my breath underwater, the pressure building with each passing second.

I had become two people—the beta everyone saw and the alpha I truly was.The dichotomy was a schism in my soul, a fracture that threatened to splinter me apart.I envied the betas around me, their lives unmarred by the constant battle between instinct and reason.They did not know the agony of denying one's true self.

But despite the turmoil within me, my resolve never wavered.Darcy's safety was all that mattered.I justified the internal conflict, the physical discomfort, and the mental anguish as necessary sacrifices.As long as she remained unharmed, my suffering was a small price to pay.

I watched her through the hidden cameras, a silent guardian in the dark.The soft glow of the computer screen illuminated her face, casting shadows that danced across her features.She was a vision of concentration and determination, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she worked on her latest project.

The sight of her filled me with a sense of purpose.It was in these quiet moments that I found solace, a respite from the relentless pressure of my double life.I allowed myself a moment of reprieve, drinking in the sight of her, safe and content.

But the reprieve was short-lived.The sound of footsteps in the hallway jolted me back to reality.I quickly exited the camera feed on my phone, my heart pounding in my chest.I had to remain vigilant, always one step ahead of those who would do her harm.

twenty

JIN

I had grown toocomfortable in my routine, too confident in my ability to evade detection.The close call at the estate was a reminder of the dangers that lurked around every corner.It was a simple mistake, a momentary lapse in judgment, but it was nearly my undoing.

I had been in the kitchen, refilling my thermos with coffee, when one of the other staff members entered.Maria, known for her sharp eyes and disregard for boundaries, always made me uneasy in her presence.She was not one to be easily fooled, and her presence was an unwelcome distraction.

As I turned to leave, my thermos slipped from my grasp, the lid popping off and the contents spilling across the floor.The scent of the coffee, laced with the beta pheromones, filled the room.Maria's eyes narrowed as she watched the dark liquid spread across the tiles, her nose wrinkling subtly at the overpowering aroma.

"Jin, are you feeling alright?"she asked, her tone laced with suspicion."You seem a bit...off today."

My heart raced as I scrambled to clean up the mess, my mind racing for a plausible explanation."I'm fine, Maria," I replied, forcing a casual smile onto my face."Just a bit tired.Haven't been sleeping well lately."

Maria watched me closely, her gaze lingering on the empty perfume bottle I had inadvertently left on the counter."You know, you've been using a lot of that cologne lately," she said, her voice carrying a hint of accusation."It's not like you to be so...preoccupied with your appearance."

I felt a cold sweat break out across my forehead as I mopped up the last of the coffee.I had to deflect her suspicions, to maintain the facade that had become my prison."It's a new brand," I said, my voice steady despite the fear that gnawed at my insides."A gift from a friend.I guess I've been a bit heavy-handed with it."

Maria seemed to accept my explanation, but her eyes continued to bore into me, a silent challenge to the lies I had woven."Well, just make sure you're taking care of yourself," she said, her tone softening."We wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

As I tiptoed out of the kitchen, my heart thumped loudly in my chest, a deafening sound that served as a reminder of the close call I had just experienced.The incident with Maria had been a wake-up call, a reminder that I was playing a dangerous game with no room for error.

I redoubled my efforts to safeguard my secret, scrutinizing every aspect of my persona for potential weaknesses.I altered my route to and from work, varying my schedule to avoid any semblance of a pattern.I took greater care in applying the de-scent lotion and beta pheromone perfume, ensuring that not a trace of my alpha scent remained.

But even as I fortified my defenses, my thoughts inevitably turned to Darcy.The need to protect her was a relentless force, driving me to ever greater lengths to ensure her safety.I found myself watching her more closely, my hidden cameras capturing every moment of her life within the confines of the estate.

It was a bitter irony that my obsession with her safety had become my greatest vulnerability.The more time I spent monitoring her, the greater the risk of being discovered.I knew that I was teetering on the edge of a precipice, that the slightest misstep could send me plummeting into the abyss.

Yet, despite the danger, I could not bring myself to step back.Darcy was my anchor, the one constant in a world that was rapidly spiraling out of control.I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant sacrificing everything I had worked so hard to build.

I was cleaning the guest room adjacent to Mr.McCarthy's office, the scent of lemon polish mingling with the lingering aroma of his expensive cigars.The walls were thin, and his voice carried easily through the ornate wood paneling.At first, I paid him no mind, focusing instead on the task at hand.But something in his tone made me pause, the rag in my hand stilling on the polished surface of the mahogany desk.

Mr.McCarthy was speaking to someone on the phone, his words cloaked in a satisfaction that turned my stomach."Yes, the charity ball will be the perfect occasion," he said, his voice dripping with avarice."I've arranged for everything to be...conducive to our agreement.My daughter's heat will be induced, making her...more amenable to the arrangement."

My heart, already pounding in my chest, threatened to burst free.Induce Darcy's heat?The very thought of it was monstrous.To induce an omega’s heat is not only traumatic but makes the heat significantly more painful for the omega.My grip tightened on the rag, the lemon scent now a sickening reminder of the bile rising in my throat.

"The financial and political benefits are substantial," Mr.McCarthy continued, a hint of glee creeping into his voice."This alliance will be permanent, and Darcy...well, she will serve her purpose."

---