Page 2 of Knot Your Kismet

Ivy stretches her arm and holds out her pinky finger, waiting for me to hook mine with hers. “You have my word, Cali. And who knows, maybe you won’t want to apply after all. I wasn’t lying about everything you haven’t experienced yet at the Omega Resort. I think it’s time you’ve had some fun.”

I don’t want the type of fun she suggests, but I don’t say it. I’m not giving up just because she thinks this is a bad decision. I’ll just have to figure something else out. There’s always another way. It’s my mom’s mantra that I live by.

“How about we start now?” Ivy doesn’t give me a chance to respond before she strides around her desk and pulls me to my feet. “I have some alphas I need to meet up with. It’ll be a great opportunity.”

What? This is happening too fast.

“I’m not feeling great. I think I’ll just go back to my apartment. I have a phone date with my mom anyway.” I try to tug my arm from Ivy, but she only holds me tighter.

Snatching an orange bottle off her filing cabinet, Ivy shakes the pills in front of my face. “You’ll feel better soon enough. Here, take one of these.”

My stomach clenches with nerves. I have no idea what kind of medication it is, and there’s no way I’m taking it. Ivy’s sudden change in demeanor freaks me out and I manage to spin in such a way that breaks her hold on me. I reach the door before her and open it, frowning as she stares at me with wide eyes, her forehead wrinkling.

“Let’s hang out some other time. I just need the night, okay? I don’t want my mom to be worried.” Without waiting for her response, I shut her office door, hoping it’s enough time to get to the elevator back to my apartment.

I hear her call my name but don’t look back. I rush to the stairs instead.

2

The Deal

Calista

“Mom, it went horribly. I did everything you said, and she asked me to stay another year.” I cradle my phone against my ear, keeping my voice low. The shower runs hot, steaming the air. I have it on to muffle my voice, considering there’s a camera set up in my living room. I never allowed one in my bathroom, even though alphas would pay so much money for the view. I’d contemplate doing it now, considering my desperation. I need as much money as possible. I need to be able to buy my approval for Omega Sterilization.

“I’m so sorry, honey. We both knew it was a small chance to go in your favor. What do you want me to do? I can talk to Henry and see if he can request a transfer to another resort.” Mom sounds just as disappointed as I do. She’s always wanted what was right for me and did her best to make sure that I was in agreement. It’s why I’m here in the first place. She wanted to make sure I had more choices than she did. And Henry helped out a lot. He’s been so kind when he didn’t have to be. Most pack leaders would just arrange their pack’s unclaimed omegas to be with someone else.

“That won’t change things. I would have to build trust all over again. I’d have to work my ass off to show that I am capable of being independent. I don’t think transferring is the answer. I’m just… I’m being a baby.” I close my eyes, refusing to let the burning sensation make me cry. I’ve held back tears a hundred times before, and I blink rapidly.

“Just because you’re upset, doesn’t make you a baby, Calista,” Mom says, her voice deepening with her concern. I can picture her full brows pinching together, the crease permanent from years of frowning. “It’s okay to be disappointed and frustrated, but don’t lose yourself to those emotions. A year might feel long in this moment, but it’ll fly by. You can take this opportunity to prepare more. You know Pack Kismet can’t support you financially if this comes to fruition. How much do you have saved? Do you already have work lined up? Housing? Did you mention that to Alpha Daines?”

“I didn’t get the chance.” Or maybe I purposely didn’t mention it because no one will work with a sponsored omega at the Omega Resort. My plan was to get things in motion and figure out everything later. I’m capable of taking care of myself. “She stopped me before I could.” I feel bad about lying, but it is what it is. Mom only knows things from her experience. She wouldn’t get how my real world works. She took the easy way out with Henry. Not that it was a bad thing, but it isn’t something I want to do. Ever.

“There’s still time. I’ll talk to Henry and see what we can do. If you want, we can make the trip to you tomorrow. I think it might be good to plan things in person. It’ll give us a chance to discuss things with Alpha Daines to guarantee your application acceptance in a year.”

I almost say no, because then she will find out that I’m not as prepared as she thinks. Or maybe she’ll understand why I’m not. Either way, I can’t deny her.

“I’d like that,” I murmur, releasing a breath. It does nothing to help my tense nerves.

“Then it’s set. We’ll come out tomorrow,” Mom says. “We could use some time together before all this happens. I’ve missed you.”

“Me too, Mom. See you tomorrow.” I hang up without waiting for her response, my anxiety rearing up, reminding me that I better throw a flimsy plan together to have something to show Henry and Pack Kismet.

I turn off the shower and exit the bathroom. I nearly jump out of my skin, spotting Ivy sitting cross-legged on my sofa, perched in the middle as if the whole thing belongs to her. And technically, it does. I own nothing in this apartment except for my clothes and toiletries. Everything else came from the Omega Resort and the Omega Independence Program. Her pursed lips speak volumes. She heard at least my side of the conversation. I should’ve known better than to assume I could create some sort of privacy in a place that monitors my every move. Still feels like an invasion to me. I should be allowed to converse with my mom. The last thing I wanted was Ivy listening over my shoulder. I’d have felt better had she at least pretended not to. But here she is, flexing her power and control over me. In this moment, I know that I’m not actually independent. My parents are sponsoring the idea of independence.

“You didn’t tell Pack Kismet, did you?” Ivy remains seated on my couch and pats the cushion beside her. “Is it because they would agree with me? That you’re not ready.”

I turn away from her as to not reveal the expression dominating my features. My annoyance shifts to anger, and it takes all of my willpower not to scream at her to get out. I need her on my side. I need to play the docile omega until I can free myself from this life.

“I am ready. You know well enough that I can’t secure what I need on my own without the sterilization. I would figure it out. I can take care of myself.” I curl my fingers into fists, letting my nails bite my skin. Breathe. I just need to breathe. I need to get myself in better control or she will use my emotions against me.

“That’s not true, Cali.” Ivy once again pats the cushion next to her. I don’t know what she is disagreeing with, but it makes me feel small. She doesn’t know me like I know myself despite what she thinks. “You can get yourself a good job. Financial stability. Great living arrangements. You don’t have to wait.”

Her words help me calm down. She wasn’t questioning my ability. At least, I don’t think she was.

“I need permission for all of that. You don’t think I’ve researched it? I can’t buy or rent an apartment without approval. Not unless I am considered useless as an omega. I can’t even fake it as a beta because of this program.” I remain standing, not wanting to give in to her persistent motion to sit beside her. I like looking down at her.

“These are all things that I will teach you. Like I said, give me a year.” Ivy stands up, her stilettos making her almost half a foot taller than me. She looms over me, her perfectly painted mauve lips pulling up on one side with her smirk.