Page 50 of A Heart in Knots

“Oh, don’t worry. No one knows who Dez Ignation actually is. Well, we do, but only by talent, imagination and reputation. Dez Ignation is completely anonymous. He could be a he. Or a she. Or both, or neither. Alpha? Beta? Omega? One person? A pack? A collective?” I shrugged. “There’s even a rumour that Dez Ignation can actuallychangehis designation, jump from beta to alpha, or beta to omega.”

Rowan’s eyes were wide. “That’s not possible. Like, biologically.”

“Of course not. But it sure makes a myth, doesn’t it? So, of course, if you manage to purchase an authentic piece by Dez Ignation, well, you’re no doubt a serious collector.” I gestured to the No Omega painting that had so gotten his gall.

The alpha on my arm looked around at the paintings. Most of them were a little out of pocket, but all great art was.

“Do you like art?” Skye asked Rowan.

“I don’t know much about it,” he admitted. “I get that it’s important and meaningful, but I don’t really know how to analyze it, you know? Film, narrative, I find that easier to wrap my head around.”

“Skye, darling, you’ve arrived!” Charisma effortlessly cut her way through the crowd and came to us. After a flurry of air kisses between her, Skye and myself, she leaned back and took in Rowan. “And you must be the reason I lent out a perfectly good suit.”

“Aunt Charisma, this is Rowan,” Skye said. “He’s a friend of mine.”

“Hmm,” Charisma pinched her mouth together and put a finger to her cheek as she studied this new alpha. “Interesting. You wear my design well.”

“Thank you for letting me borrow–” Rowan didn’t get a chance to finish his manners as Charisma turned toward Skye.

“There’s someone you just have to meet.” Charisma said to her niece. “Come along, my love.” And in the next second, Charisma whisked away my mate.

Rowan exhaled. “That was intense.”

“That was Charisma.” I grabbed a pair of champagne flutes as they drifted past. “But, now that we’re alone, you and I can actually talk.” I held a drink out to him.

Rowan took the offered glass. “I knew it was just a matter of time.”

“You’re starting off easy with me,” I sipped my champagne. “When we met, I sensed that you were damaged.”

“You did?”

“Yes. I didn’t know how you were damaged of course, I just sensed it. I didn’t think much of it, if anything I figured that maybe Skye just has a thing for damaged alphas, like Crux. Or that she’s an overflowing font of compassion. It makes sense now.”

“Did Skye sense my damage, too?”

“She sensed something.”

We both watched as Skye and Charisma talked with one of the members of the Lansing Pack. He probably designed our houseor whatnot. Skye radiated light and serenity. Goodness. And she made it look effortless.

“I want you to know I’m in your corner, Rowan. But if you ever hurt her, I will rip outyourheart. With my teeth.”

“I understand. I’d do the same in your shoes.” He finished his champagne. “How do I handle the others?”

There was only one appropriate answer. “Carefully.”

Chapter 32

SKYE

Mypolitechatterwiththe Lansing pack lead was cut to pieces with the familiar ring of silverware tapping against crystal. The gentle but somehow potent sound rang through convention space and drew our attention to the podium, where the mayor was standing.

“Thank you all for attending this evening’s event,” Mayor Abbot began. “We, of course, all know why we’re here, so I’m not going to bore you with some long speech. Instead I’m going to turn the mic over to the director of The Centre For Missing and Exploited Omegas. Miss Jessica Morrow.”

The crowd clapped politely as Miss Morrow took to the podium. She adjusted the microphone and tapped her little stack of cue cards to line them up nicely.

“Thank you, Mayor Abbot. In recent years, we have seen a disturbing rise in cases of missing or abused omegas. Last year alone, over two hundred omegas from Port Haven, Exitor, and Summertown were either disappeared, found to be living in horrific conditions, or out on the streets running from danger. Auctions are on the rise. Daughters and sons from wealthy families, influential packs just like yours are being forced to early perfumes and first heats. It’s all so inhumane.” Miss Morrow licked her lips. “When I was sixteen, I was sold…”

My attention was pulled away from the speech by movement in the corner of my eye. I turned my head and saw Rowan slip between the open French doors, and step out onto the balcony. Curious, I swiped two champagnes and followed.

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