Page 17 of Knot Your Kismet

But it only lasts for a second.

I’m not some docile woman who can be pushed around. I wasn’t raised that way. I’ve already experienced independence, and this solidifies that I won’t be turning back. I don’t care what the law says.

“I’m not your fucking omega. Don’t try to claim me, Grandpa.” I hop to my feet, putting distance between us.

His cane drops to the floor as he follows me, and I realize it might be for show. Because he doesn’t look like he needs it now. He is stable, strong, definitely not to be misjudged. But neither am I.

“You will not speak to me like—”

“Cali, what are you doing here? I told you I’ve already made arrangements. You know Pack Kismet doesn’t have ties to… Pack Francisco.” Nolan stands with the door to the restaurant open, his eyes glowering at me. I can’t tell if he’s putting on a show or is really pissed off. “This man is not in your league. He’s closer to death than power.”

Damn straight he’s not worthy of me. A part of me loves that Nolan says it out loud, directing his voice at Ted.

Striding forward, Nolan gets between me and Ted. I think they might know each other. He knew that Ted was part of Pack Francisco. The two of them square off as if they’re about to get into a fight right in the middle of the restaurant. The workers don’t intervene, knowing exactly who Nolan is. They are probably as thankful as I am that he happened to show up. It’s not common for a beta to intervene between an alpha and an omega, though they should when said omega is not with the alpha.

“You need to leave before I call your pack. Do they know that you’re trying to waste an omega’s time? You know there’s an age limit on the Bonding App. You’ve had your chance. You will be reported immediately. Do you understand?” Nolan links his fingers through mine, surprising me. I know better than to be a brat right now, because if I show any signs of rebellion, Ted might take that as a chance to fight back. I’m sure he’s never been denied like this.

“I’ll give you a thousand dollars not to. You don’t understand what it’s like being my age,” Ted says, his shoulder slumping in defeat. He reaches for his wallet to show he’s serious.

“Not a—”

I snatch the money from Ted. “Only if you promise not to catfish people. And apologize to me right now.” Is it wrong that I’m accepting his bribe? I know he won’t keep his word, but I want to keep his money. At least it’s a little bit of compensation for this bullshit.

Ted bares his teeth. “Apologize? For wh—”

Jerking his hand forward, Nolan grabs the front of Ted’s polo and hoists him up.

“I’m sorry!” Ted exclaims. “Make him let me go. Please. I’m sorry.”

I touch Nolan’s face, getting him to look at me. Our eyes meet, and something explodes inside me. There’s something about his protectiveness that gets to me in a good way. I hate it. He shouldn’t be able to ignite relief inside me. Nothing but annoyance should come from our eyes meeting.

“Just let him go, Nolan. He’s probably going to die soon anyways. I doubt he’ll be able to trick another omega into a date. I was just stupid and accepted the first one on the app without even looking.” I purse my lips, releasing a breath through my nose. My dumb mouth. I shouldn’t have admitted that.

Nolan hesitates for only a second before he shoves the old man back, sending him sprawling in the seat of the booth. He doesn’t respond to my words. He breaks his stare.

And then he turns around and leaves, abandoning me with the mess I made for myself.

I let him go, pocketing the cash I took from Ted.

It’s enough to get me out of here. At least for a while.

So why can’t I summon the courage to leave?

Why do I suddenly want to stay?

11

Scent Match

Nolan

This woman will be the death of me. If I hadn’t checked her phone usage and location, she would’ve been in serious trouble. I hope her careless behavior taught her a lesson. It’s a bit wild in the real world, unlike the highly monitored, protected Omega Independence Program she has been a part of. There is a reason it is so expensive. The alphas who play around with the omegas are highly vetted. And I failed to be a great pack leader by not doing the same for her now.

She’s just so infuriating. I’m doing my best, but because my best isn’t exactly what she wants, we are in this annoying position in the first place. She doesn’t understand the stress I’m going through trying to get my dad’s estate in order. I can’t even touch most of it without having a complete pack, which requires bonding to an omega. If she would just agree to take the title, things could be so easy.

I hate this outdated law. I don’t want to force anyone to be the Pack Kismet Omega, and I’m not looking to settle down and procreate. The expectation is infuriating. I need to have everything in order so I can properly bond, yet they want me to bond before I get my shit together. It just doesn’t work that way. It’s not like the olden days when omegas just accepted whatever fate was arranged for them.

I hate having to put Cali through this. I hate going through it myself. Unfortunately, it must be done. My dad managed to make it happen after my mom died, so I know it’s possible. Maybe it was luck. Maybe it was good karma for being a great alpha. Regardless, I’m not sure her arrival will have the same outcome. I have to think about more than myself. I have to think about my brothers. If they had been betas, this wouldn’t be a problem. But because the three of us all manifested as alphas, it is expected that we share an omega because there’s no way we could each claim our own. It would never be allowed. There is only one omega per pack to bond, and if there happens to be more, they must be placed with another pack. It’s to prevent muddled bloodlines and centralized power. It’s far too easy to marry off omegas among one’s pack, considering there are many families within a pack name. I happen to have the same last name as my pack, which makes me next in line. It’s all so complicated. I wish we could just continue as we were.