Page 5 of Knot Gonna Lie
“Because that wouldn’t be any fun,” Quinn teased, pouting with theatrical disappointment before giving me a reassuring squeeze and releasing me. “You know I’ve never led you astray.”
“I know…”
Rolling my eyes, I surveyed the room once more, only for my gaze to lock onto a trio conversing with another worker nearby. Their leader glanced up, icy blue eyes meeting mine as his mouth fell slightly open, stunned recognition flickering across his features like lightning illuminating a storm-dark sky. The woman beside him possessed wild fiery hair that seemed to dance with its own life force, shifting like flames in the air currents. She noticed his distraction and gently struck his stomach with her elbow. He jerked his attention back to their worker while the long brown-haired male with them looked my way, curiosity painting his light brown eyes before they widened like surprised moons. He instantly lowered his head and turned away.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, ladies,” Toasty exclaimed, emerging with a black case that he placed onto the display with reverent care, opening it with the ceremony of unveiling treasure. “These beauties will make every soul in the room turn toward you on your momentous day.”
Inside lay five different jewelry sets, but only two seized my breath and held it captive.
A thin, three-tiered necklace crafted from a silver chain adorned with pearls and diamonds glistened in the store’s crisp lighting like captured starlight. Beside it rested a thick pearl and diamond choker paired with matching chandelier earrings that would catch light with every movement.
“These are perfect,” I gasped, pressing my hand to my chest as if to contain my racing heart while glancing at Quinn, who beamed at me with a triumphant ‘I told you so’ grin blooming across her features. “But don’t you think they’re too extravagant?”
“There’s no such thing as too extravagant.” Quinn chuckled, picking up the necklace with steady, deliberate fingers. “I know some omegas prefer more natural looks, but that doesn’t suit either you or your gown. You need something to match the class and allure designed to entrance those alphas.”
“Your gamma speaks truth.” A baritone voice sliced through our conversation like a blade through silk. “Perfect omegas leave their necks exposed for easy access. Anything adorning them would only be destroyed in passion’s heat, and we cannot allow such waste.”
A dark-haired male leaned against the display, arms crossed and back pressed against the glass like a predator claiming territory. His brown gaze locked onto the junction of my neck with laser intensity while a low purr radiated from his chest, confirming the alpha rank displayed on his station badge. His scent hit me like a physical blow—soured limes and burnt honeythat wrinkled my nose in disgust, instantly drying any arousal remaining in me like desert wind stealing moisture from flowers.
As he reached toward me with the back of his hand, I tried to retreat, only to find Quinn’s arm around my waist, tucking me behind her protective presence like a shield forged from loyalty and steel.
His eyes remained hypnotically fixed on my neck, as if entranced, unfazed by Quinn’s sudden intervention. My gamma gripped his wrist and twisted it with precision born of training and fury. His purr transformed into a hiss as shock bulged his eyes like a fish pulled from water.
“Don’t you ever think about placing a hand on an omega uninvited,” Quinn growled, positioning herself between the presumptuous alpha and me like a fortress wall. “Do you understand me?”
“Your omega shouldn’t be so enticing. Looking all innocent and smelling ripe for claiming. She stands there begging for the room to pay attention to her and only her.” His voice dripped with arrogance instead of anger, as if his actions carried no weight or consequence. “So how about you move aside and allow me to continue my conversation with that exquisite omega behind you?”
The power of his words rolled over me like a tide seeking to drag me under, making my knees weak with the effort to resist their pull. Every fiber of my being fought against buckling and begging him to leave me be.
He wasn’t attractive—at least, not to me—and I found his scent repulsive enough to steel my resolve against his wishes. I wouldn’t allow my hormones to let some random stranger have his way with me.
“You can try, but your alpha bark doesn’t work on me.” Quinn stepped closer to the cocky male, releasing her hold on me as challenge blazed in her eyes like forge-fire. “So how aboutyou stop ruining my omega’s experience and go try to impress someone who cares. Like your reflection.”
“You gammas are all the same—”
“And you haven’t changed at all,” a rich, powerful voice mocked, each word articulated like daggers thrown with deadly precision. “You’d think after thirteen trips to The Den, you would’ve learned something by now, but it seems only to make you more desperate. I’d say you need another attempt, but I don’t think whatever unfortunate omega graces your presence would be able to teach you anything. So how about you stop tarnishing the reputation of other alphas aboard this station and listen to this gamma who’s trying to do her job?”
The alpha in the familiar business suit stepped beside Quinn, using his body to shield me from the unruly intruder like a living wall of protection. His scent of warm coconut, sweet pineapple, and tart cherries washed over me in waves, making my mouth water with sudden hunger.
The ventilation system couldn’t hide his sticky sweet essence nor Quinn’s calming morning mist as they blocked the unpleasant aroma from the alpha who’d overstepped his bounds and the beta awaiting our purchase decision. Licking my lips, I studied the neck of this new alpha, wondering what lay beneath his business suit. The thought of how protective he would be in my nest, naked with his knot begging for me, had me suddenly breathless and wanting. The lack of any underlying foreign scent made me squeeze my thighs together and swallow a whimper.
“I don’t care who you are, but you’re no longer welcome in this establishment,” Toasty demanded, his voice lacking the power of the businessman alpha but still making his point clear as mountain air. “I’d advise you to leave before I report you to the enforcers and have you escorted off the station.”
“Let’s not be hasty,” the burnt lime-scented alpha replied, jerking his wrist away from Quinn while raising his hands inmock surrender, eyes still locked onto my delicious protector beside me. “There’s no need for reports. I know I’m no longer wanted and will see myself out. I’ll leave the four of you in peace.”
“I’m glad you finally see reason,” Quinn snapped like a whip crack. “There might be hope for you yet.”
The room fell silent as my hands instinctively found the back of my tropical paradise’s suit, pressing my face against him, seekinghisstrength for comfort. The back muscles beneath my touch stiffened as he became aware of my presence, but he made no movement to escape my touch.
I was too afraid to move, to breathe—to do anything that might shatter this moment like spun glass.
This alpha had come to my rescue, placing his body between mine and danger without hesitation. I should’ve been shaken—but all I could feel was heat. My body reacted before my mind caught up—nipples tight, slick already gathering between my thighs. We were strangers, but it didn’t matter. I was already captivated by him—by the raw power, the instinct to protect.
His name could come later.
Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to place my hands on the counter and let him have his way with me. I was willing to arch my back and cry out loud enough for the store to hear as I begged for him to fill me with the thick, knotted essence I knew he possessed.
All alphas carried such gifts, and they knew how much betas and omegas craved a taste. That’s why they often grew arrogant, wanting to control everything, especially those of lower-class sub-genders.
