Page 15 of Knot Happening

“Why do you care!” I hissed, feeling defensive.

“Because that place is run by criminals! They… Well, I don’t know what they do, exactly. But I know that they’re into shadystuff!” He’d propped a hand on his hip as he stared me down with his judgy eyes.

“Like what?” I needed to know. Did they harm Omegas? Sell drugs? Sell weapons? Smuggle…things that criminals smuggle?

“I… They sell fake identities, I know that for sure! And it’s rumored that they’re involved in the skin trade.”

“Haze has a reputation for treating its employees super well, Oscar. I’ve never heard anyone say anything like this before. I knew a girl senior year that started working there just before graduation. They wouldn’t let her do more than laundry and stock shelves until she turned twenty.”

“Oh. That's actually… Let me see that?” Oscar tried to grab the flyer, but I yanked it out of reach. “Oh, I’ll give it back, jeez!” He’d gotten this twinkle in his eyes.

“You’re such a hypocrite.”

“Wrong. I didn’t have all the information before. Now I do,” Oscar shrugged.

I either need to get a job there, and maybe see if anyone sells what I need, or… I don’t even know. Go to a bar and hope that someone offers to sell me drugs?

“Fuuuuuck,” I groan to myself. I can’t just head to the doctor and ask for a script. They’d run tests, find drugs in my system already. Not only that, but the chances of them giving suppressants to an unmated Omega of prime mating age? Basically zero.

So what do I do? My phone pings and I wince. Reluctantly, I roll onto my side to check and see who the heck messaged me.

I groan loudly when I see where the notification is from.

Fucking Omega Connections.

The dating app. I don’t know what possessed me to sign up. Maybe I should look into an exorcism?

Worse? I swiped yes first.

Adam: Hey, you have pretty eyes! I was surprised to see you match with me.

I wrinkle my nose at the in-app message and swipe it away. Then I mute the app.

I would wonder what I was thinking, but I already know. After I left the diner, I wanted someone to flirt with. Declan made me feel things, and I wanted an outlet but couldn’t text him after the last message I’d sent him.

I am now firmly regretting that decision.

I don’t have the mental energy to attempt flirting right now.

If I go to Haze tonight to apply for the position, then maybe I’ll also meet someone who can help me with my medication problem.

My phone pings, and this time I let out an annoyed grumble. I snatch my phone up, finding a text from Declan, kicking up my heart rate.

Declan: *Sent a photo*

Declan: What are you doing on a dating app? You’ve already found the man of your dreams.

The picture is a screenshot of my profile on Omega Connections.

Tatum: Don’t worry about what I’m doing. What are you doing on the app?

The audacity of Alphas. What am I even supposed to say?

Declan: I was curious.

I scoff.

Tatum: Stay curious.

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