Page 13 of Knot Gonna Lie (Syzygy Omegaverse #1)

CHAPTER EIGHT

ELARA

Somehow, she had done it. He was here.

The alpha who’d captured my attention stood almost directly across from me—the very alpha I couldn’t stop thinking about since our fates had crossed paths yesterday. After being on a station for over a decade, no other alpha had made me feel this way.

They were always generally lovely and respectful. Sometimes I’d caught them lingering close for an extra sniff or watching me from a distance, but outside of Owen, I had never dealt with someone so forward in their intentions.

If that wasn’t a sign that it was time for me to be mated, I didn’t know what was.

During my past heats, I had remained inside my cabin, demanding things from Quinn until the horrid weeks were over. The drugs may have made the experience more tolerable, but they could only reduce the effects—not eliminate them entirely.

I refused to blame my upcoming heat or the lack of suppressants in my system, but my thoughts had clung to him like a planet in their sun’s gravitational pull—constantly rotating back to him.

Instead of attempting to court me, he had put himself in harm’s way to protect me without asking for a reward in return.

Perhaps it was the hopeless romantic in me, wanting to believe that things happened for a reason. Or the fact that my skin wasn’t the only thing that was itching. I was ready to find an alpha, get marked, and build a loving pack.

I was no longer content living within these station walls. I wanted to live my life, and to do that, I needed to find an alpha who matched me.

And then freedom would be mine…

Last night, I dreamed about my rescuer bending me over and taking me from behind as his mouth clamped onto my neck, claiming me as his. Instead, I woke up panting and needy, my skin clammy as I was bound within the blanket cocoon I had somehow entangled myself with mid-dream.

Heat gathered between my thighs, slick already dampening my skin at the thought of what was coming.

I surveyed the room, taking in the large group of alphas, all waiting for my next move. Not one spot on the metallic floor was void of participants—a packed arena.

There was a wide range of alphas—from the mature yet seductive females who could potentially be the same age as my mother, not that it mattered in the grand scheme of things—to the baby-faced males that appeared like they were fresh out of the academy.

Each one was gorgeous in their own way, as their very presence demanded my attention. I was afraid if I watched them for too long, I would become trapped and unable to pull my eyes away.

And yet, they all wanted me .

Discovering this, sudden confidence rushed over me.

Even the smug ones—convinced I should be honored they’d noticed me, like their presence was some divine gift. As if they were gracing me , when really, it was the other way around.

They may have been the alphas, but I was the omega and the one who called the shots in the end.

Scanning the remaining alphas within the arena, my breath hitched as my eyes caught the male I had begged Quinn to make sure would attend. My knees weakened from the sight as a whimper escaped my throat in a desperate plea.

He was here—and no one else mattered.

I unclenched my fists and took off across the arena, ignoring the others as I passed. Gasps and mutters filled the air behind me, but I didn’t look back.

None of their scents came close to his—why settle for appetizers when the main course was right in front of me?

I clenched my fists again, biting back a growl. Who thought speed walking in a dress and stilettos was a good idea? Oh right—Quinn. I should’ve fought harder for flats.

It wasn’t like they would help me appear taller than half of the alphas within this room.

The shoes were only a hazard and would be the death of me if I ended up slipping in them.

Outside of the etiquette training in the academy, I’d never been required to wear them and resorted to flats or boots for my walks around the station.

No matter how hard I tried not to envision it, I couldn’t stop thinking about how embarrassed I would be if I fell during my maiden walk.

Steeling myself, I kept repeating the mantra— please don’t trip.

Please don’t trip. Please don’t trip —with every step.

My heels rang against the metallic floor as I prayed to the Stars that I wouldn’t make a fool of myself.

The coolness of my slickness snaked its way to my knees, threatening to continue traveling down to my heels.

His icy blue eyes widened in shock as I stepped into his green ring—his assigned territory on the arena floor.

A small giggle escaped my lips from the rush of excitement of knowing that I had already affected him this way.

It was as if my mere presence had stunned him into stone—or perhaps, he was afraid to react.

His short black hair was just long enough for me to be able to grip whenever I ran my hands through it. Being this close to him, I could appreciate the sharpness of his jaw and how kissable his lips were.

Between his expensive business suit with a matching sapphire vest set and his tropical coconut scent, my instincts screamed for him to claim me right here and now.

My heart was already settled before I entered the arena.

My instincts were screaming that he was the one.

His nostrils flared, and his pale eyes darkened as he breathed in deeply, sampling my needy scent. A gentle, satisfied rumble radiated deep within his chest as his lips pulled into a slight grin.

Goosebumps chased down my spine, straight to my core at the sound he made—low and delicious. I squeezed my thighs together, trying to hold back the rush of slick threatening to gush out—earning him a warm welcome indeed.

“You’re here,” I whispered, lifting my hand to touch him to make sure this wasn’t some figment of my imagination. “I can’t believe it.”

“What is there not to believe?” He let out a deep chuckle, only for it to increase my need for him tenfold. “I was told you wanted me here.”

“I do,” I gasped. I could feel the weight of hundreds of eyes on me, watching as I came undone in front of him. “Does that mean you want me too?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” he purred and lifted his hands to my sides, halting them before they could touch. “If I may be bold to ask, does this mean you’re choosing me?”

“Yes, I choose you.” I nodded with confidence, knowing I wasn’t making the wrong decision. “And I don’t want any other alpha by my side.”

“Are you certain?”

His head snapped up, the low purr dying in his throat as he scanned the arena. A snarl curled his lip. His claws barely grazed my sides—controlled, but sharp with intent. He was already bracing to keep them from taking me.

Jaw tight, he bared his teeth at the ones he clearly saw as competition.

“You’re allowed—”

“No, the others don’t matter,” I stated firmly, cupping his cheek to lock his dark gaze with mine. “My mind was made up last night—before I even stepped foot onto this arena floor. The only thing you needed to do was show up, and I would’ve claimed you.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, he nodded as he tightened his grip on me. My hands found his back as I laid my head on his chest.

My body pressed against his, and he immediately pulled me closer, crushing the space between us.

His alpha scent hit me hard—pina colada and heat—so sweet it made my mouth water. I wanted to drop to my knees and find out if he tasted as good as he smelled.

Hopefully soon. My temperature was climbing fast, and this damn dress wasn’t helping. The itchy fabric clung too tight, suddenly unbearable against my skin.

“Do we have to wait for your caretaker to escort us out?” His voice rumbled through me, vibrating my hardened nipples against the silky fabric of my dress. “Or are we free to go?”

“That’s not needed.” I sighed and snuggled my nose against his chest as I breathed in more of his exotic scent. My scent. “She’ll take care of everything. I have full faith in her.”

“Are you certain?”

My stomach fluttered with joy from the amount of concern that laced his voice.

“Yes.”

I pulled back from his chest, frowning slightly. Why was he hesitating? I’d chosen him. Shouldn’t he want to take me away?

“I don’t have any reason to stay here,” I said softly. “Will you take me somewhere private? I want to meet your clan. I want to know you .”

Flicking his gaze to those around us, he pursed his lips and nodded. “As you wish.”

Without another word, he released me and leaned over to pick me up.

A gasp slipped from my lips as he gathered me into his arms, holding me tight against his chest.

I didn’t resist. I couldn’t .

Somewhere deep inside, I needed this—needed him to take control, so I could finally let go after a long, exhausting day.

Somehow it felt natural—right—being this close to him, instinctively knowing that I would be safe.

Maybe it was the omega in me, or the alpha in him—but I didn’t want to overthink it.

He was mine. I picked him—and no one was going to take him away from me.

Now I had to convince him to skip the formalities and tradition and mark me as his—preferably tonight—forever binding us together. Then, hopefully, his clan was nearby, so I could meet them too and figure out how to form a pack with those around me when the time came.

An alpha needed an omega to help calm their nature and strengthen the bonds of their clan. A bonded pair required the support of their pack, and in return, the clan needed the security that only their claimed alpha could supply.

I just needed us off this station—now. Only he could give me the kind of freedom I craved.

I refused to feel guilty for the alphas I didn’t choose—the ones I hadn’t even given a chance.

Eyes closed, I let myself drift, imagining anywhere but here as he carried me toward his private elevator.

His purr rumbled from deep in his chest, the vibration sinking into me. His scent wrapped around my thoughts, warm and familiar, lulling me toward a blissful sleep. I wanted to forget the chaos and sink into that sound, into him.

I trusted him to take care of me from here on out.

The only thing that kept me awake was my need to leave a good first impression when introducing myself to his waiting clan.

We were told that alphas could bring their most trusted clan members, typically unmated, to support their alpha.

This allowed the omega to get a feel for the alpha while they were with their clan to make courting plans.

I refused to waste time with some trivial matter when there weren’t any other alphas contending for my neck.

Unless the first impression with his clan was horrible, there wasn’t a need.

The settling process was something every omega in their new clan had to go through, and it would take time to adjust.

Unfortunately, with my heat so near, it might expedite the whole process. But I was sure that we would deal with it when the time came.

I needed to see where he would take me once he’d been released from his waiting room at The Den.

The sounds from his steps changed from metallic clicks to glass dings as we entered the elevator. Opening my eyes, I was welcomed to his studying me with a heavy-lidded gaze, his dark hair haloed by green lights.

“I still can’t believe it,” he muttered, pressing his nose against my hair and taking a deep breath. “I thought your caretaker might’ve been testing me—seeing how eager I was toward the idea. Perhaps even checking if I was going to trust her word and show up.”

“I’m glad that you did.”

“Me too.” He pulled his head away, his eyes softening as he peered down at me.

Suddenly, he snapped his head toward the doors. The floor jolted as the lift came to a stop and an audible swoosh filled my ears.

“Here we are.”