Page 41 of Knot Gonna Lie
LUCA
The transport to Syzygy Station’s observation level carried us through layers of my own deception, each ascending tier another reminder of the distance I’d placed between truth and the life I was building.
Through the transparent walls, stars wheeled in their eternal dance—indifferent witnesses to the small deceptions of those who traveled between them.
I need to tell Eli.
My brother, my partner, the one person who’d trusted me to handle the business while he remained planetside. How did you explain stealing someone’s identity—even family—to claim an omega? How did you justify rewriting destiny with borrowed credentials?
The restaurant Toasty had recommended perched at the station’s crown like a jewel set against infinity. Crystal fixtures cast prismatic light through the space, fragmenting rainbows across white tablecloths and gleaming silverware.
The cosmos stretched in all directions—a reminder of how small our choices seemed against such vastness, yet how immense they felt when they shaped a life.
I guided Elara through the entrance, my hand at the small of her back—a touch that still sent electricity through our bond. She wore an emerald dress that complemented the vest I’d chosen this morning, our unconscious matching another sign of the connection growing between us.
“It’s magnificent,” she breathed, emerald eyes wide as they drank in the elegant space.
Not as beautiful as you,I thought but didn’t say. Too much, too soon. I’d just claimed her last night…skipping past the courtship phase.But first, I need to make this right. Need to tell Eli before—
It would be foolish to mistake the mark on her neck for love—but that didn’t mean I wasn’t open to falling for her.
How could I resist her?
I wanted to move forward like we were courting—despite the urgency of her approaching heat that had pushed us together too fast. More than anything, I wanted the chance to know her. To understand who she was beneath the surface.
The wonder in her voice tightened something in my chest. After years confined to the station’s inner corridors, even a small luxury felt like freedom to her. And I wanted to give her more—every experience she’d been denied. Every joy the galaxy had to offer.
But first, I need to make this right. Need to tell Eli before—
“Your table is ready,” the maître d’ announced, offering a practiced smile and holding a glowing vidtablet like a tray.
Seth and Jaxom flanked us as the maître d’ led us to our table—a corner booth with unobstructed views of the star field.
My pack settled in, still adjusting to new dynamics and learning how to move around each other with our clan’s newomega present. Seth slid in beside Elara, close enough that their shoulders might brush but maintaining the respectful distance of one who understood boundaries. Jaxom sat beside them, already pulling up his tablet to explain the menu’s more exotic offerings. I settled on the other side of my omega, positioning myself where I could watch the room while keeping her within protective reach.
Ingrained instincts. An alpha always positioned himself between his omega and potential threats—even in supposedly neutral territory.
“I’ve never seen a menu like this,” Elara admitted, fingers tracing unfamiliar words with endearing uncertainty. “What’s ‘molecular gastronomy’?”
“Marketing.” Seth sighed. “And an excuse to charge patients more for less.”
“Fancy term for playing with your food,” Jaxom explained, his natural enthusiasm breaking through professional reserve. “They transform ingredients into new forms—gels that melt on your tongue, spheres that burst with concentrated flavor, foams that carry essence without substance.”
“The station only served synthetic proteins.” Her nose wrinkled at the memory. “Everything tasted vaguely the same after a while. Gray nutrition, Quinn used to call it. It just became a dull routine to remain healthy.”
“Probably to get omegas in and out of the station as fast as possible.” Seth frowned, eyes on his vidtablet. “To push them toward The Den just to escape the monotony…maybe even before they’re ready to be claimed.”
“Then we’ll order several dishes to share. Multiple courses if we have to.” I signaled the server, decision made. I wanted to watch her discover every flavor, every texture she’d been denied. “You should experience everything.”
The warmth that bloomed in her eyes made my chest tight. Every smile felt like a gift I’d stolen—because I had. If Eli knew what I’d done, would he see betrayal or desperation? Would he understand that some chances only came once?
Focus on now,I told myself.I’ll call him tomorrow. Explain everything. He’ll understand—he must understand.Consequences be damned.
“Tell me about your favorite foods from Earth,” Seth prompted gently. “Before the station. What did you miss most about food from home?”
Elara’s expression went distant, chasing memories. “My mother made this soup when the weather turned cold—chicken and dumplings. Nothing sophisticated, just…pure comfort. The kitchen would steam with it, and the whole house would smell like sage and black pepper…” She trailed off, longing written across her features as she stared off into the distance.
“We’ll find a recipe,” I promised, catching her hand beneath the table. “Recreate it for you.”
