Page 61 of Knot a Bad Idea

Malicious compliance.

I chant the words in my head as I enter the ballroom, doing my best to look like I belong.

I keep my head high, my eyes soft, and my smile sweet.

Yes, I’m holding to the contract—and the pack will be getting exactly what they signed up for.

A doting, loving Omega.

But that doesn’t mean they get to havemeanymore.

I catch sight of my reflection in one of the brass mirrors on the wall. The gown I wear is positively sinful. It showed up days before the event, and Devyn almost fainted when she saw it.

She’s also the one that helped me into it today. Skylar was at the café, and Devyn begged to do my hair and makeup.

I’m truly lucky to have a such a kind, supportive friend. Her excitement made me excited, and as I catch my smoky eyes and blood-red lips in the mirror, I feel empowered.

I’m ready to bring that pack to their fucking knees.

The gown fits me perfectly, my cleavage full and my waist slim due to the tight silk bodice. The back of the dress trails after me slightly, and the black heels I wear are the perfect height to avoid me tripping on it.

I know who is responsible for sending the dress, too.

Donovan.

Why does he do this? Why plaster me with gifts and unnecessarily lavish items when it will all be over soon?

I don’t understand his contradictions, and after days of trying to, I’ve decided I’m done.

He doesn’t get my heart, nor my pain.

And neither do Hunter and Liam.

My therapist thinks it’s a…decentplan.

I you can’t make someone else change—I can only change the way I adapt to the situations.

Such as appearing to know what the fuck I’m doing in a ballroom surrounded by the richest people in the country.

“April!”

Sophie hurries up to me, lifting her skirts as she does. She looks striking in the deep emerald color and smells just as lovely as last time. Her eyes light up with a smile, and I slightly relax.

From what I can tell, Sophie is a genuine person.

I could see her fitting into our friend group back in Isleton.

“Hello, Sophie,” I say easily, taking a sip from my champagne. “It’s good to see you again. Your dress is sublime.”

She laughs. “Everyone is looking at you, you know. That blood red is breathtaking on you. Your pack agrees.”

She angles her head slightly, and I follow her gaze to see Hunter and Liam staring at me, both slack jawed.

It would be comical if my heart wasn’t breaking on the inside.

Hunter is in an all-black suit with his dark hair slicked back. Liam is in a charcoal grey suit with a white shirt, his dirty blonde hair styled back as well.

I can’t look at them anymore. My heart aches, and I turn my attention back to Sophie.

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