Page 3 of Knot Gonna Lie
“What’s the matter?”
“What happens when an unmated omega falls for their gamma?”
She jerked her head toward the pair that had passed us. “You mean those two?”
“Yes, the possessive way her gamma held her as they walked.”
Quinn’s shoulders slumped as she sighed deeply.
“Caretakers are always warned never to allow relationships to progress beyond assignment and care. The rule isn’t strictly enforced, but it carries truth. There have been issues when pairs allow their relationship to deepen and the omega’s chosen alpha refuses to accept their gamma into the clan.” She offered mea sad smile. “Sometimes, it can’t be helped, and both parties suffer.”
“But I thought it’s always the omega’s choice.”
“It is, but if the alpha isn’t willing to accept the gamma within their clan, there’s nothing to be done. Would an omega want to risk dealing with constant conflict between their alpha and gamma?”
“I wouldn’t.” My breath hitched, unease wrapping around me at the mere thought. “No omega deserves having to choose between them.”
“They’ll face that decision when the time comes.” She glanced over her shoulder once more and shrugged. “Our ultimate goal is keeping our assignments happy and cared for…sometimes we forget our actions carry consequences.”
“You said the station allows you to select who you want to care for. Why did you believe you were the perfect match for me despite our age difference? You never told me.”
“We both came from beta families.” She nodded toward our destination, and I followed her lead. “Both of us have different sub-genders than our families. Because of this, I always thought we shared similarities. The fact that I wasn’t attracted to you—even though you’re beautiful—was another factor. You felt safe, and I believed you were my best choice. Neither of us being attracted to each other was advantageous.”
“By the way, how are you and Jenna?”
The faraway look in her eyes as her cheeks darkened and the radiant grin spread across her face revealed how deeply in love she was.
I was glad my friend could find time outside of caring for me to love someone else on the space station. It allowed us both independence and would ease the transition when the time came for me to leave.
“We’re doing well—or should I say she’s doing well. Her assignment shows signs of restlessness, and he’s about to enter The Den soon, too. Once both of you are successfully claimed and have left the station, it will allow Jenna and me to decide whether we want another assignment or should try being enforcers. It would be wonderful to leave the station for a while. I’d welcome the change as long as we’re assigned to watch omegas on a planet other than Earth.”
“I hope I don’t have to return to Earth either.” I huffed, frowning at the negative emotions the mere thought of my home planet. “I’ve wanted to visit one of the newly established planets to discover what they have to offer. But I suppose I won’t have much choice in the end.”
“Becoming an enforcer might allow us to explore what’s out there too.” She paused, scratching the back of her head as she dodged a pair of betas walking too close, engrossed in conversation. “We might also remain on the station since other unmated omegas need caretakers, and I do enjoy my work. But now that your process has started, it’s becoming reality that you won’t need me much longer. I’m going to miss caring for you after all these years.”
“Same here,” I said, feeling the negative tingle inside me morph into an anxious ache. She knew me completely and had been my stable foundation since arriving here. All because I’d decided to stop my suppressants, I would need to be claimed soon to avoid experiencing another unbearable heat. A shiver passed through me, forcing my hands into fists as I tried to block the horrific memory of my first omega heat. Thankfully, the station had resources to help ease everything. I would never be able to thank enough for the betas who’d tried to fulfill my needs.
“What happens after I pick my alpha and begin establishing a pack within his clan?” I muttered, hoping the process wasn’tsimply cut and release, that we’d still spend time together before I left.
They never explained everything that happened after The Den. I’d only learned fragments from other omegas who’d heard from someone else. The station worked hard to keep us safe and happy, even if it meant leaving us blind to certain aspects.
Happy omega, happy life.
“It all depends on you.” She flicked her guarded gaze at me. “Some omegas want nothing to do with their gammas once they’re claimed. They’d rather get to their new lives as quickly as possible, without reminders of their past. Others cling on as much as they can until their need for familiarity fades.”
“I can’t picture myself wanting to go through another abandonment.”
“I hope that’s the case,” Quinn replied gently. “You have nothing to worry about. Focus on the task at hand. Once you select your alpha, things will move faster than they are now. It will feel like a whirlwind, but you don’t need to worry. I’ll check on you often as you become comfortable with your pack and clan. Once you’re done with your first heat, I’ll slowly reduce my check-ins to only a few times yearly, unless you tell me otherwise.”
“I don’t think I ever want to reach that point.” My throat tightened from anxiety coursing through my veins. How could the station allow such separation to exist? How could other omegas accept losing their companion—someone they’d had since puberty—simply because they’d moved to the next chapter of their lives?
“I want you in my life. I don’t want to lose you,” I said, my voice filled with iron assurance that might have been mistaken for an alpha’s command. “I’m not foolish enough to think things will continue exactly as they are now, but you’re an important part of me, Quinn. If my future alpha lives on one of the colonyplanets instead of Earth, would you consider relocating there as an enforcer?”
“It’s not that simple, Elara.” She offered me a sad smile. “What if Jenna’s omega wants her to follow him wherever he goes? You’re about to start your life. You’ll want freedom to shape your new existence with your pack and clan, and soon I’ll be forgotten. That’s a caretaker’s sacrifice—like our parents had to give us up for Syzygy Station. We care for our assignments, but once they’re claimed, there’s no longer need for us—”
“You keep saying that, but I don’t think you understand.”
“No, Elara,” she corrected, halting in an alcove between two storefront entryways. Her brown eyes searched mine as we faced each other. The walkway crowd continued past us as if we didn’t exist, granting us the illusion of privacy. “I don’t think you understand.” She licked her lips as a sudden wave of her strong scent engulfed me. The aroma of early morning dew on a field of flowers filled my lungs, instantly calming me with its familiarity. “You’re resistant because you haven’t found the one, and you’re clinging to the idea of keeping our partnership unchanged. I know it’s scary, and if you’ve changed your mind and don’t want to continue the process, just let me know. But you can’t keep fabricating fantasies that you’ll merge your current life with your future one and believing it will all work out. You can say you want me near, but once you become enthralled by some lucky alpha and wear his mark on your skin, your need for me will fade. Gammas are safety blankets—your temporary nest if you have to label it—and once you make your perfect nest, fit for mating and bonding with your pack, you won’t want me anymore.”
