Page 20 of The Knotty Omega

“Omega,” the one with black hair says, stepping forward. “I’m Jonas. This is Harry, Chadwick, and Brody. Have a seat.” He names them off in order before pulling out an empty seat at the table.

Wow. They aren’t even going to ask my name?

Brennan seems to notice as well, but takes up residence against a nearby wall. He’s only supposed to get involved if they’re a threat to me, but that doesn’t stop him from shooting me a raised eyebrow.

I settle into the empty chair, and the blond one suddenly snarls at me. “Why do you smell fucking bonded already?”

My back stiffens at his harsh tone, and Brennan looks about ready to get involved.

“Woah, calm down, Harry,” one with brown hair, Brody, I believe, says. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”

They all turn to me, and it hits me then. How much they remind me of the pack I ran from. They may look different, but personality wise it's the same shit. With that revelation, it's like I'm taken back to ten years ago. My heart pounds in my chest, and my omega whimpers. I hate that I can't help how small my voice is when I tell them, “I’m an unbonded omega living on my own. I can’t do scent blockers. I take a medication that makes it smell like I’m bonded so random alphas don’t approach me.”

“You need to stop taking that medication immediately,” Harry snaps, “it’s making my alpha all itchy that my omega smells like she belongs to someone else.”

His statement snaps me out of my funk and my mouth gapes open. “Excuse me?Youromega?”

“Yes, my fucking omega.” He looks about ready to launch himself at me. “Don’t act so high and mighty. How old are you? Twenty seven? That’s six years older than the typical omega is when they settle down. You can’t act like we’re not your best option.”

I stare around the table in shock. Only one of the alphas, Brody, seems put off by his behavior, but he doesn't reprimand him. “Do you work?”

Jonas scoffs. ”Not for long.”

“I'm a writer for a magazine. I only signed up to meet with packs who were okay with a working omega.” I give them a pointed look. “My career is very important to me.” Why am I even still talking to them at this point? This is never going to work.

“Is it fucking ABO magazine?” The other brown haired alpha mutters before turning to the rest of the pack. “That’s the magazine that runs that fucking stupid ‘Knotty Omega’ article that made Trina leave us. What did she say…'your happiness does not begin or end with them’. What a load of bullshit.”

Oh shit. This was…that pack? Uncertain Grad-Student’s pack?

Just my luck.

“Oh, I love that article!” I smile, all teeth. "Sounds like Trina had good taste." I’m baiting them. I know I am. But when I look at them, I might as well be staring at the pack my parents tried to set me up with. Before a fresh round of growls can break out, Brody, ever the peace keeper, jumps in.

“Chadwick," he hisses at the alpha before turning back to me. "When…” He sighs, looking tired, running a hand through his hair. I might feel sorry for him if he hadn’t packed up with a bunch of misogynistic, short-tempered ass waffles. “When was your last heat…?” He trails off, looking uncertain as I watch the realization hit his face.

“Did youjustrealize you never asked me my name?” I snap, looking around the table and looking for an ounce of shame.

None.

Well, none from Jonas, Chadwick and Harry. Brody at least has the decency to look properly chastised.

“Not to mention how wildly inappropriate that question is.” I scowl. “If you’re looking for a needy omega hole to fuck during a heat, you can volunteer at a heat clinic. Though, based on our interaction, I doubt you’d pass the temperament test.”

Growls rip out around the table, and my omega cowers in fear. Not me, though. Fuck them. Shooting to my feet, I put my hands on the table. “We’re done here, and I’ll be reporting your behavior to the OMS to make sure no other omega is subjected to your…fucking archaic personalities.”

Before I can move, Harry reaches over and grabs my arm in a bruising grip. “We’re done when I say we’re done!”

I don’t have time to react before Brennan is there, and suddenly Harry’s face has been smashed into the table, his hand releasing my arm as it comes up to his face to cover his now-bleeding nose.

“Fuck!” He screams, and his packmates all stand, ready to launch themselves at Brennan. “I’ll have your job for this!”

“I just did my job, dickface.” Brennan grumbles before grabbing my elbow and leading me out the door. “Damn, they didn’t even ask your name?” He mutters to me as we march out the front door.

“Nope,” I pop the p, letting him guide me. That was so surreal. I’ve faced plenty of sexist alphas in my time, but this pack was by far the most obscene, misogynistic, biology driven knotheads I’ve ever met in my life.

We hop in the car after Michael pulls up, and Brennan turns halfway around in his seat to look at me. “I hope I’m not overstepping…”

I snort. “Please. Unless you’re about to hit on me, there’s no way you could overstep.”

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