Page 2 of Knot in My Wildest Dreams: Part 2
Vigo was still crashing out, his body freaking out at the loss of our scent match. “Liam! Where is she?” He yelled, unable to stand not being able to do something about it. Celeste had told us to leave her alone, and the rejection stung worse than any pain I’d ever felt.
“She still won’t respond!” I said, irritated at him, at Dante, at everything. But especially at myself. I’d failed to see the truth. “She’s my mate,” I said, the words barely leaving me. “She always was. And I destroyed her.”
Vigo turned sharply, his eyes wild with the same grief clawing through me. “We all did. We forced her into this fake relationship. We humiliated her. And she knew we were her scent matches the whole damn time.”
My voice cracked. “After everything, she stayed. She fought for us. She tried to make it work, and we ruined her trust.”
Vigo’s face crumpled, fury and shame warring inside him. “We fell in love with her while plotting her downfall. What kind of fucking alphas does that make us?”
“The kind that don’t deserve her,” I muttered, reaching for my phone like it weighed a hundred pounds. My thumb hovered, then I typed anyway.
Please, I just want to know that you’re okay. I need to talk to you. It’s important. We were wrong, and there’s more you need to know.
The response was immediate.
I’m fine. I never ever want to hear from you again.
I swallowed hard, reading the words over and over until they blurred. My fingers flew across the screen, desperate.
Celeste, you’re everything to me. We fucked up, I know that now. We were wrong, and I think you know why. I just need to know that you’re safe. You can’t trust anyone right now.
Her reply ended everything.
That’s none of your concern. Leave me alone.
The phone slipped from my hand onto the table, the sound dull against the wood. Vigo swore under his breath, pacing again, but I couldn’t move. The bond between us might still exist, but her trust - her love - was gone. And I didn’t know if we’d ever get it back.
Chapter 3
Celeste
My stomach ached, my head was still spinning, and my heart was shattered. I stared out the window of Pack Valence’s glorious estate, trying to gain some clarity as I stared at their elaborate rose garden.
“Want to talk about it?” A soft voice interrupted my spinning thoughts. I turned to see Julian walk toward me with a cup of tea, offering it to me hesitantly. His big brown eyes looked at me with sympathy and concern. I reached out, grateful for the interruption. I untucked my legs from beneath me and sat up straight on the couch.
“It hurts.” I said, my voice hoarse from holding back the tears. Julian nodded, understanding in his eyes.
Julian was a member of Pack Valence, but not officially. He was a beta, and came from a family with almost nothing to their name. Owen, Nikolai, and James - the alphas in Pack Valence - had met him back in prep school. Julian was a scholarship recipient, and got bullied for being small and poor. But once the rest of the pack saw him, it was love at first sight.
Of course, no one was supposed to know they were with him. Their powerful fathers were pushing for them to be with an omega, one of high status, who could provide their pack with many heirs. Julian was a secret they couldn't afford to let out.
I knew their pack my whole life. Owen and I had been friends for years, running in the same circles since childhood. Nikolai and James were like brothers to me. I grew to care about them, and knew how deep their feelings ran for Julian. That’s how the arrangement started. A staged courtship. The perfect lie.
My uncle wanted me in a pack, and their family wanted them with an omega. So, we found a solution. Pack Valence courted me for nearly half a year, much to the delight of both their family and my uncle. I was able to move in with them and get peace to work on my company without people breathing down my back. Pack Valence convinced Owen’s father that they were seriously courting an omega, arguably the most famous omega in the world, at that. All the while, they were really with Julian, their real love.
And it worked. The pack could be with Julian secretly, and for once I wasn’t getting badgered to find a pack.
But it had an expiration date. Courtship without an eventual bonding bite would raise suspicion. So, we manufactured a breakup. And we still remained best of friends, so much that they were truly the only people I could turn to, the only ones who could keep me safe during this time.
“Julian, my whole world is a lie.” I cupped the mug in trembling hands. He reached out and took my hand in his. He’d always been a great support when I lived here before, and his presence was a small comfort.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked softly.
“I think this is beyond the scope of regular help.” I sighed. “I’m in trouble. And I don’t know who to trust yet. Besides you.” I said as I gave Julian a wry smile. Out of anyone in the world, Pack Valence were the ones I knew for sure wouldn’t betray me. We had helped each other out many times before.
“It’s not just my company in jeopardy. I’m being set up. And I don’t know who’s behind it.” I admitted. Julian looked shocked.
“Set up? How?” He asked, his hand tightening on mine.
