Page 2 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

I had hoped they wouldn’t be invited. Unlike many of the attending packs, they didn’t come from old money or prestigious bloodlines. But that hadn’t stopped them from growing their company at an astronomical rate, making the rounds in the society papers as a result of their swiftly climbing social status and newfound fame. They were my biggest corporate rivals – and my loudest critics.

Our feud had become public, each side trading jabs in the press. And now, here they were, smug and watching.

Just the idea that they were here, sharing my space, was enough to get me pissed off. I watched them stand there, their charming smiles and nice suits a veneer for their arrogant attitudes. They’d made more than one remark about me as a leader, insinuating someone irresponsible should never be at the helm of a corporation so large.

Just the sight of them made my blood run hot. I’d never been near them in person before. But I wouldn't let them get the satisfaction of seeing me react. I smiled and waved at one of my friends, ignoring the magnetic pull as I felt Pack Lockwood look over at me, waiting for a reaction to their surprise arrival.

Even though it might be scientifically impossible, I swear I couldfeeltheir anger and jealousy at my refusal to acknowledge them. I knew alphas well enough to know that the one thing they hated was being ignored. So, I made my rounds, pretending they didn’t bother me as I flirted and laughed at the multitude of packs that approached me. After all, I was the prize here. Packs sought out omegas, especially omegas like me who came with trust funds and connections. Pack Lockwood was always within my sight, but they didn’t dare come near me. I was grateful for that - a public spat would make great headlines, but not make for a great impression right before the big vote.

Just as a server poured me a much-needed glass of champagne, my uncle appeared at my side. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You know what they are saying about you.” His words grated on me as I took a sip and tried to keep my cool. I was under enough stress with the upcoming vote, and now Pack Lockwood was here to ruin my night.

“It’s just one glass. Anyway, I’m not going to stay here long. I made my appearance and that’s it.” I said as I thanked the server before taking a long sip. My uncle watched me with a worried look.

“You know it's important for your image to be seen taking courting seriously. I want you to at least consider some of these packs. They can secure a great future for you.” His words were meant to help, but I turned to glare at him.

“I already have a great future ahead of me! And these packs know how to get a hold of me if they are interested.” He sighed, but I didn’t wait for whatever lecture was brewing. With a final sip of champagne, I spun on my heel and strode out of the ballroom, leaving the noise and scrutiny behind.

My uncle, like most males in the Eastern Province, thought that my desire to work at my family’s company was just temporary. He thought I’d be much happier with a pack to care for me, and constantly tried to push me in that direction. The only issue was that a pack would want to take over, like all alphas.

Most packs wouldn’t want an omega to be a leader like I was, working so hard to run a company. And due to our archaic laws, if I’d bonded with a pack before getting the securing CEO vote, I’d have forfeited my claim to the company. It was part of the reason I had no desire to bond anytime soon.

I made a beeline back to my room as the noise from the ball slowly faded. The further away I was from all this, the better I would feel. And now that my uncle and the rest of my team wasn’t hovering over me, I could finally breathe. I’d done enough - I’d made an appearance, spoken to several packs, and now I could get ready to rest.

Tonight my only goal was to try to get some sleep before the big vote. I wouldn’t stay for the rest of the activities tomorrow, since tonight was the biggest event of the ball anyway. I’d sleep in tomorrow, get dressed in my best attire, then head over to the vote at 4pm.

The hallways were empty as I walked toward my room, my footsteps loud as they echoed through the large stone corridor. I took a deep breath, finally alone for the first time today. Once I got back to my room, I’d take a long bath, then relax for a bit before…

I barely brushed the handle of my door when it happened. A strong hand clamped a rag over my face, the scent stinging my nostrils, while another arm locked around my torso, pinning my arms tight against my sides. I’d been so lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t heard a single warning sound.

Panic surged through me as I was yanked backward, my vision swallowed by darkness as something covered my eyes. I thrashed, kicking wildly at empty air, my muffled shouts absorbed into the cloth. My struggles did little to stop the relentless grip hauling me away, my heart pounding with each step that took me farther from safety.

Someone was taking me. All of my prior nerves were replaced by adrenaline as my training kicked in. A thousand thoughts fired through my mind at once, fighting past the chemical haze creeping into my bloodstream. This shouldn’t be possible. Not here. Not at the Darlington Ball, one of the most secure venues in the country. Guards patrolled every corridor. So how was this happening?

I’d been trained a little in self-defense for exactly this scenario, but it was useless when the person taking me was so much larger and stronger and had the advantage of surprise. After a moment, I realized the rag was laced with something that had affected my body. I felt the panic that coursed through my veins slow as the chemicals took effect. My mind still scrambled to find a way to fight back, but everything was slowing down. All I knew was that I was drugged, taken, and I had no idea why. Then, everything went dark.

Chapter 2

Celeste

“Wake up.”

A distorted voice echoed through the fog in my mind as someone tapped me insistently.

“Wake up, now!”

The voice sounded so odd, and I couldn’t figure out why. My brain was sluggish as I tried to ignore the voice and the tapping to fall back to sleep. I heard a small snap. Then, a strong and pungent fragrance wafted right under my nose, immediately clearing my head as the chemical startled me awake.

Only… I couldn’t see. Or move.

“What - what’s going on!” I gasped, panic surging in my chest as I realized I was bound, a cloth shoved into my mouth before I could speak again.

“Stay calm and do as I say, and you won’t be hurt. Nod if you understand.” The voice was so strange that I almost didn’t react at first. Then I realized that whoever was speaking was using a voice distorter. My body froze for half a second before I forced myself to nod, my mind scrambling to piece together what had happened.

“A pack was hired to abduct you. Their goal is to make sure you miss the merger vote. If they succeed, you lose everything. Your position, your future, and more. Do you understand?”

My thoughts scrambled.The vote.When was it? How long had I been out?

“They’ll plant a story. They will say you drank yourself into oblivion and missed the vote. You must not let that happen. You must show up. But no one can know you're aware of the plot Tell no one what happened. Not your family. Not your friends. Not your staff. Do you understand?"

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