Page 2 of Knot Excused
Alphas were big, powerful, and arrogant. Even though we were separated into a tent and surrounded by security, I could still see them out there, strutting around, their scents mixing with each other’s to create a confusing mix of intensely masculine smells. I tried my best not to breathe them in too deeply.
The most I could hope for today would be a quiet, respectable Pack who could provide me security. Maybe a few number crunchers or avid gamers who would leave me alone.
A Pack who would let me be myself and not force me into the stereotypical Omega role: tiny, sweet, nurturing. Good at cooking and sewing. The perfect housewife. That wasn’t me at all. I was 5’10 even without heels, 6’ with them, tall and lean and strong from my jobs as grocery stocker and line cook.
Today I had pulled my platinum blonde hair back into a ponytail and lined my blue eyes with dark eyeliner so they wouldn’t think I was some sweet little miss they could push around. Instead of dressing up, I had put on the biggest hoops I had and worn a T-shirt and sweatpants with my highest heels. If I could look these Alphas in the eyes that would be even better.
Time to get this over with.
I settled in on the outskirts of the groups, surreptitiously clicking my tongue piercing against my teeth, then lighting a cigarette to get me through the whole ordeal. It might takehoursto get through all of us.
The other Omegas eyed me in confusion, like I couldn’t possibly belong there.
“Do youwantyour scent to be covered up?” one tiny Omega asked me as she waved a hand in front of her mouth.
“Hell yeah,” I retorted. “Don’t tell me youwantto be claimed by some pack you don’t get a choice with?”
“But—your fated mates will cherish you,” a beautiful brunette protested. “Finding them is every Omega’s dream.”
“Whatever,” I said, wishing I had a snappier comeback, but not knowing how to explain that I didn’t expect shit out of this world.
I took another drag on the cigarette, letting the sick and sweet sensation go deep into my lungs.
I knew it wasn’t exactly healthy, but I was willing to do anything I thought would make me less likely to get scented.
Finally, the ceremony was about to begin.
The country was run by an Alpha Pack that everyone voted on every two years, and the Head Alpha of Rockwood Pack got up to the podium and burbled a few words about how every Alpha was anxious to find their Omega, the special man or woman to treasure for always.
I resisted rolling my eyes as Rockwood Pack announced the rules that we all knew by heart now.
Then, it was time to start.
“Skystone Pack, please come forward.”
Now of coursetheseguys would be first. Nothing but the best for the top Alpha Pack everyone expected to win the upcoming election. I saw some of the Omegas beside me stand up a little straighter, straighten their hair and tits, lick their lips nervously.
I just took another drag of my cigarette, blowing the smoke out the back flap.
“No smoking in the tent,” one of the attendants barked at me.
I recognized the Skystone Pack Head Alpha, of course.
Rook.
The son of some bigshot politician, probably next in line to run the whole country.
He was big even for an Alpha, with a dark suit, slicked-back dark hair, stern face, and a big, broad body. You could even tell by the way he walked that he was just thick with muscle.
Looked like a real asshole to me.
Not only did he come from the wealthiest and most powerful Alpha family, but everyone was scared as fuck of him.
I didn’t envy whatever Omega would end up with him.
The next Alpha in their Pack was Erain. Leaner than Rook, with long shiny white-blonde hair, and one of those model-perfect Alpha faces, sharp cheekbones and a cut-glass jaw. He stalked like a panther, all coiled lean muscle, and he looked incredibly arrogant, with his lip curled up. Like the rest of the world was dirt under his feet.
God, another unpleasant jackass.
