Page 44 of The Knotty Princes Club

I offer him a smile and hand over another plate of food. “That’s a lovely name. Where are you from?”

“I’m also from the Gutter District. I was picked up with Arielle after we ran away together. She was my neighbor.” Devin glances at the redhead beside him, curled in with her knees against her chest.

“That must’ve been so scary for you. So, you ran away? Was your pack going to give you two to an alpha you didn’t like?” I try my best not to pry and instead give them a couple of different questions they can choose or not choose the answer, including one that would just repeat what they already told me. It’ll help me know exactly where their comfort level is in this moment.

“We’re in love,” Devin says, wrapping his arm around Arielle. Her pack wanted to sell her to the Vixen Lounge. Have you heard of that place? They’re a bunch of brainwashed omegas that are abused and...I can’t even say it. They don’t allow male omegas there. We’re not as wanted.”

I try not to react, keeping my face expressionless. “I know of it. I want to take it down along with any of the other clubs like that. We don’t deserve such a life.”

A brunette with short brown hair fists her hands and slams them on the coffee table. “We?We? You’re a fucking privileged omega of the most prominent pack in this area. You have no idea what the fuck we’ve been through. Don’t you dare try to relate with us. You aren’t any better. I’m sure you’ve just stood by and watched omegas fall by packs and power just like yours.”

“Stella, shut up. Don’t talk to her like that. You know that some of the royals are worse off.” This comes from another brunette, one that looks very similar to Stella. They might be sisters.

“Whatever, Elizabeth. I’ve had to keep my mouth shut for months. I will not just sit here and let this omega try to tell me what I do and don’t deserve. She should not include herself in it.” Stella turns her attention to me, glaring.

I take an automatic step back at the heat of her gaze. A part of me wants to be angry. Another part of me wants to tell her my life story to get her to realize that I’m no different. But a greater part of me demands I stay silent. This isn’t a competition. I don’t have to explain anything. And they don’t have to see me as one of them. We are different. I was one of the lucky ones, and I really see the truth of it in this moment. I could’ve ended up like them. I could’ve died by Madame Tamsin’s hands or even my uncle’s. I could’ve been beaten and hurt until I was nothing but an empty shell. But I wasn’t.

I’m powerful. I have a choice now, despite what the Pack Regimes think.

“Give her a break. You don’t know anything about her.” The last omega speaks up, resting her chin on her knees. “I heard the rumors. She got caught passing as a beta after coming into this region without ties.”

“Yeah, whatever, Amelia. Still doesn’t change my opinion. Look at this place. Look at how the beta treated her. She has a good life. Look at us. We don’t even know what’s going to happen. They could be nice just to keep us complacent before they sell us again. Maybe they have their own damn omega club where they invite others from the Pack Regimes to beat and brutalize us for fun.” Stella heaves a couple of deep breaths, her body shaking with her words.

My anger gets the best of me, and I drop a plate, clattering it on the floor. Food flies everywhere, and the omegas fall silent, staring at me as I lose my composure.

“We would never. And I meanneverdo that. I know I have nothing to offer that will make you believe me, but I was once in your place. My pack was murdered by my uncle, and he...” I swallow, my eyes welling with tears as I relive the moment over again. “He chained me down during my heat in front of the alphas who were supposed to bond with me. He tortured them and beat them anytime they tried to break free while I suffered. And then he murdered them. Right in front of me. Their blood was on me. I barely escaped, and I ran. I ran and didn’t look back. I didn’t fall in line and instead, I did what I had to and bought my way into a somewhat normal life until I was caught.”

My head pounds with my words, and I grip the table, shaking.

“Oh, God. I’m so sorry,” Devin says, taking a step closer.

I shake my head, whipping my hair back and forth. “Don’t be sorry for me. I made it out okay. For the most part, at least. Because my uncle decided to show up last night. He’s the one who told my alphas about you guys. I don’t know why, but he had his manipulative reasons. And because of that, we’re going to be extra cautious. We’re not handing you to the leaders of the Pack Regimes. We’re going to do whatever it takes to keep you as part of our pack to give you whatever life you want. If you want to just stay hidden, fine. We’ll make it happen. If you want to find an alpha, we’ll get you the best ones. We’ll ensure your safety. But if you want to just go. You can go. But do not try to tell me what I can and can’t relate with. I’m doing my best with what I have. I want to change the world for us. Because we’re together in this. You might not think that now because I’m in a different position than you, but in the end, we’re omegas, and the Pack Regimes have ensured that we have no rights. I’m going to get them for us.”

Again, no one responds.

I close my eyes, squeezing the tears away before they can fall and turn toward the door. “You’ll find everything you need on the cart. Melina will be back to check on you.”

“Wait,” Ashley says, extending her hand to me.

I swipe my hand over my face, smoothing out my features. “No. I need to get out of here. I’m sorry.”

Without another word, I stride to the exit, yanking the door open. I shouldn’t be mad. I should empathize with them, but I’m tired. I don’t even know what to do or how to feel. I just want to go home.

There are a lot of things I should do, but instead, I rest my back to the door. I don’t move until Desmond returns and carries me away.

***

“Kinsey, relax. They’re going to be fine. They’re not our responsibility. Let our pack handle it. Aunt Melina knows how to take care of omegas. My brothers will ensure they’re safe. You need to focus on picking out a dress.” Holly stares at the rack of dresses personally selected for me by my guys with the help of the royal seamstress and the team of betas in charge of styling me appropriately for my union.

I don’t know how Wilder managed to get everything in order so quickly, but our staff now rushes through the palace, preparing for what is sure to be the event of the season. Not only will I bow and vow my life to Wilder as king, but it’s also where he’ll declare equal ruling with his brothers over Gilded Sands. Soon after, they’ll declare the progressive laws that will stir animosity from the Pack Regimes...after my heat.

“What about this one? It’ll show off just enough skin to drive them wild but also give them a reason to tear the thing off.” Holly pulls a strapless dress out, the emerald-green tulle and satin material matching my eyes. “Not that I want to think about that. You guys sound freaky as fuck.”

Warmth crawls across my chest and travels to my cheeks. “Sorry, they—”

“The less I know, the better. I’m just so excited for you...and for me. Wilder is thawing out to the idea of me getting my own place. I’m going to push him hard after this. He’ll want me out of here before you guys start making babies. I’ll ensure it.” Holly laughs and grabs another dress, the second one a mermaid cut with a sweetheart neckline. The ivory color glitters with crystals in the light.

I shake my head and motion to an amethyst ball gown with a full, bouffant-styled skirt, deep V-cut decolletage, with off-the-shoulder straps and a bejeweled bodice. It’s absolutely gorgeous. “Do I even want to know?”

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