Page 38 of Knot Gonna Lie
Elara moved through the crowds ahead of me like starlight through shadow, and I couldn’t tear my gaze away.
She’d wrapped a silver scarf around her head this morning, tucking her blonde hair beneath the fabric. Protection, maybe—from the bitter stares of alphas still nursing yesterday’s wounds, or simply from the weight of so many eyes. I didn’t ask. If the small disguise brought her peace, that was enough.
She didn’t need more eyes on her. Not today.
Not when she would be leaving her gamma behind for good.
Her emerald dress caught the station’s artificial light, drawing attention to the healing mark at her throat. Pride and possession in one elegant statement. Maia and Stella flanked her like devoted sentinels, their quiet conversation drawing occasional smiles from our omega.
Each time she laughed, something resonated through my chest—unexpected and sharp, like something I hadn’t known I’d been waiting for.
Is this what we’ve been missing? What an omega brings to make a clan whole?
“Another set of thermal sleepwear, with matching robe and slippers.” Jaxom’s fingers danced across his vidtablet beside me, cataloging each purchase with methodical precision. “And those temperature-regulating blankets she selected.”
I nodded absently, watching how Elara’s fingers tested textures with careful consideration. Her body knew what it would need during the cycles ahead, even if the station’s education had left her knowledge incomplete.
Protective heat kindled in my chest. How many crucial truths had they withheld? How many surprises awaited us beyond these walls?
This should be her last time walking these corridors. She doesn’t belong to this place anymore.
She belongs with us.
“Seth? Seth Titanus, is that you?”
The familiar voice made me turn. My breath caught. Dr. Miranda Chen emerged from an aromatherapy spa, her dark hair threaded with premature silver—each strand earned through decades of healing. She approached with the confident stride of someone who commanded respect without demanding it.
Dr. Chen’s gaze swept over our group, sharp and efficient, lingering on Elara with a warm, professional smile before flicking back to me.
“Dr. Chen.” I inclined my head, aware that Elara had paused to observe our interaction. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Emergency consultation.” She gestured toward the spa behind her. “Several omegas experiencing heightened scentsensitivity. Environmental triggers, most likely.” Her sharp gaze found mine with knowing precision. “Though I suspect your company’s latest innovations might hold solutions.”
Of course she’d kept tabs on Coco Pharma’s innovations—she knew I’d left her private practice after graduation to work with Luca and his brother.
Heat crept up my neck as Elara drifted closer, curiosity bright in her emerald eyes. I silently prayed this wasn’t about to turn into an impromptu business pitch. The last thing I wanted was to bore her with pharmaceutical details on what should be her day of freedom from this place.
“I contributed some, but the credit belongs to the whole team—”
“Nonsense.” Dr. Chen’s tone cut through false modesty like a scalpel through tissue. She gripped my arm briefly—cool fingers steady—and shook her head. “Those scent-absorbent gems were pure genius. Without your breakthrough, omegas would still be suffering needless separation anxiety.”
Elara’s eyes widened, her attention sharpening to laser focus. “Comfort jewelry?”
“Specialized pieces that hold and release pack scents.” Scientific passion overrode my usual reserve. “The gems absorb pheromone signatures, providing steady comfort during separation or stress. Essential for omegas who need constant scent connection when their pack can’t be physically present.”
“That’s incredible.” Elara stepped closer, her lavender-vanilla scent curling around me—soft, warm, impossible to ignore—drawing me in, like silk made of starlight. “How does the absorption process work?”
Something warm unfurled in my chest. Most people used the products without a second thought—but here Elara was asking about the work behind it.
For the first time, I let myself believe she might actually care about what I do—who saw innovation as an act of love.
“The crystalline matrix creates molecular pockets that bond with specific pheromone compounds.” My hands moved as I explained, mapping invisible structures in the air. “We were delivering a shipment to Glamorous Gems when—”
Her wonder vanished, swallowed by shock. “You were selling to Toasty?”
“That’s why we were there whenouralpha stepped in to protect you,” Stella interjected smoothly, protective instinct evident in her positioning herself slightly between Elara and Dr. Chen. “Right place, right time.”
Dr. Chen observed the exchange with sharp attention. A smile ghosted across her lips—subtle but knowing. “Ah.” Understanding dawned in her expression. “You’re part of the pack that caused such a sensation yesterday.”
