Page 26 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

I stepped back, stunned at his words. He was being honest. I could tell that he felt deeply about their proposed plans, even if they used the announcement to hurt me and Harringday at the same time.

I felt the rage simmer under my skin.

Iwantedto implement designation protections. Iwantedto push for fair wages, safer conditions, better policies for everyone under my employ. But every time I even whispered about change, I was met with patronizing smiles and dismissive waves. I had money, I had influence, but in the grand scheme of things, my last name only gave me so much leverage when the people holding the real power refused to let me use it, or only let me take one tiny, insignificant step at a time.

I felt a pang of jealousy at how easy it must be for them to make bold, industry-changing decisions on a whim. I had the board and centuries of tradition I was up against, along with the perception of me as a weak omega to contend with. They just decided to do something, and it was done. No pushback.

I shook my head in frustration. “Why are you so dead set against me? Ultimately, I want the same things that you do. I have been fighting for change in our province. It means more to me than you can imagine. Omegas, out of every designation, face so much threat and discrimination that alphas cannot even fathom. Why do you think we’re in a competition on this?” I asked, trying not to let their combined scent in the small room muddle with my brain.

Dante stepped closer, his voice dropping to a tone meant just for me. "You want to prove us wrong? Do it. Get the policy passed. Change the system. Or admit you’re just another wealthy nepo-hire, dressed up in expensive clothes, pretending you care when you don’t." He was so close to me that I could smell his smokey oud and pepper scent radiating off of him, his tall alpha stature making him look dangerous and forbidden.

I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to rip that satisfied look off his face. But more than that, I wanted to prove him wrong.

I took a slow breath, schooling my features, my voice steady when I finally spoke. "Iwillget it passed. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but Iwill- and I won’t need to pull underhanded tactics to do it."

Dante’s eyes narrowed, the corner of his mouth barely turning upward as he assessed me. "Then I look forward to watching you try."

I turned on my heel and strode out of the room, my pulse roaring in my ears.

Because now, it wasn’t just about proving myself to the board.

It was about proving them all wrong. Mates be damned.

Chapter 18

Liam

I leaned back in my office chair, savoring the faint hum of activity outside the door. Manticore Tech was alive, humming with deals, negotiations, and a buzz of relevance we hadn’t felt in so many months. The fallout from the kidnapping scandal was finally behind us, and our reputation was not just restored - it was better than ever.

Vigo stood by the table, scanning over the letters that had been delivered just that morning. “This one’s for a multi-year partnership with Hargrave Shipping,” he said, sliding a thick document toward me. “And this,” He held up another. “is an invitation to the Western Province Omega Gala. The Gala, Liam. That’s as exclusive as it gets.”

I grinned, the weight that had been pressing down on us for months lifting just a little more. “Omega balls, exclusive partnerships, new contracts pouring in - our plan is working. Everything we lost, we’re getting back and with interest.”

Dante, leaning against the window, didn’t look as pleased. He’d come into the office with us today since Celeste had left to see her uncle at her family estate. Probably crying about how upset she was after our last interview.

Dante had been brooding more than usual lately, but I let it slide for now. He had his reasons, and as much as I hated seeing him carry that weight, I knew better than to push him about it.

“This party is going to be our moment,” I said, standing and pacing the room, my excitement palpable. “The RSVP’s have been pouring in from everyone. Friends, colleagues, the ones who matter. It’ll solidify us as the pack to know, the pack to work with. And Celeste, well...” I trailed off, smirking. “Celeste will have to play her part. Smile for the cameras and look like she’s madly in love with us. Imagine the headlines. It’s going to be perfect.”

Perfect for us. Humiliating for her.

Vigo snorted, amused. “You do love this charade, don’t you?”

“It’s a great strategy. Until we get the real dirt on her, I’m okay with getting our name back in good graces. The more everyone believes that our pack reined in Celeste, the aloof heiress, the more untouchable we become. And Celeste knows it. She won’t dare step out of line, not now. We’ll take Harringday down, it’s just a matter of time.”

Dante crossed his arms, his jaw tight. “Just don’t get too comfortable. This isn’t our world yet, it’s hers. We’re winning so far, but things can go sideways fast.”

I nodded. “Don’t worry. We will have everything under control.”

Dante sighed, his gaze looking past me and out the window. “I have a feeling something will happen. We can’t account for every angle. Celeste is smarter than we thought, and she’s brutal. Don’t underestimate her just because she’s an omega.” He cautioned.

I knew Dante was the most cautious about Celeste, But I was sure that we had her where we wanted her. And despite our natural urges around omegas, I was confident that we wouldn’t slip up anymore.

Sure, we got a little carried away at the nightclub. But this party would be in a controlled environment, and we’d be in charge of everything. She had been pouting all week after the interview was broadcast, and I was sure she had been avoiding us out of sheer embarrassment.

It had worked out perfectly. Our commitment to designation rights had our business, not just our pack, in the headlines, and customers from the Western Province had been reaching out ever since.

If Celeste thought she was winning, she’d have to think again. It just went to show that someone who grew up with privilege had no idea how the world worked, or what the majority of people wanted. I smiled to myself when I thought about how hard she’d fall when we finally took her down. Even if part of me secretly felt thrilled about having her living with us. The alpha in me loved her challenging attitude, but that was all. Just biology, nothing more.

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