Page 13 of Knot Forever

My tongue feels like it’s glued to the top of my mouth as the spotlight falls on me. The heat coming from the lights pulls sweat from my skin, and my palms feel damp as Violet Maura turns her fake, plastic smile to me.

“Next up,” she coos, waving me forward, “is the lovely Nova Chevnik! Nova is new to the omega auction, so why don’t we give her a warm welcome? Come on up here, sweetheart!”

I struggle to my feet, hiding my hands in the folds of my dress as I step up alongside her. It’s hard to see the crowd in the brightness of the lights beaming into my face, but there’s a scattering of polite applause. I try to force a smile, but it feels more painful than anything else.

“Now, then.” Violet looks down, scanning the cards on the podium in front of her. “Nova is twenty-four, and very accomplished. I have a long, long list in front of me!”

There’s a guffaw from the crowd, and my cheeks flame as Violet reads out a list of random things that are definitely not in my skill set. I mean, flower arranging?Needlepoint?

I find a dark spot in the blurred crowd and fix my eyes on it, ignoring the comments and catcalls as Violet pauses to take a breath.

Thanks for nothing, mother. I have no doubts who provided this ridiculous list.

“Phew!” Violet fans herself dramatically as she comes to the end. “I think we can all agree that you have a number of skills, Nova. Is there anything you’d like to add?”

I blink as she shoves a microphone into my face. “Is there anything left?”

She titters. “I think we can add comedy!”

God, this is a cringe. But my embarrassment is replaced by a deepening pit in my stomach as Violet turns back to the crowd. “Bidding will start at five thousand dollars! Do I have five thousand? Well, look at that. We’re up and running with a bid from the Williams pack!”

My legs turn to jelly underneath my dress. This is it.

Violet places a hand above her eyes as she leans out to scan the crowd. “Do I hear six thousand? Six thousand dollars?”

There’s crickets as nobody jumps in, and my eyes close.

Please. Please.

“We have six thousand!” Violet crows with delight, and my eyes snap open. “And from the King pack, no less!”

The King pack.

Piercing green eyes fill my mind.

Sounds like a challenge to me.

I hope you came to win.

Hope is a dangerous thing, but it twists, curling around me in tendrils of possibility. My fists clench at my sides.

Please let them win.

Chapter seven – Asher

I stare at Seth as he raises his paddle again, uppingourbid to ten thousand dollars.

“What,” I force out through gritted teeth, “the hell are you doing?”

He turns green eyes to me, tilted upwards in mischief. “I think this may be the sport you’ve been looking for, brother.”

Frowning, I turn to face the stage, finally paying attention to the omega on display. My eyes scan her, starting with her feet and moving upwards. There’s not much to scan. She’s short – I’d hazard a guess that she might just brush my shoulders, if even that.

My eyes come to rest on the monstrosity she’s wearing. Layers upon layers of silk ruffles, trussing her up like a damn Christmas trifle.

My mouth twists. “You’ve lost your mind,” I tell Seth.

Marcus appears from wherever he’s been hiding, sliding onto his seat. “What’s going on?”

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