Page 4 of Knot Gonna Lie (Syzygy Omegaverse #1)

CHAPTER THREE

ELARA

“Do you happen to know what you like?” Quinn teased as we stepped into Glamorous Gems, her voice carrying the musical lilt of someone who’d discovered an opportunity to indulge a cherished friend.

“Or were you never granted the opportunity to scavenge through your mother’s jewelry box?

Playing dress-up with neighbors around a toy tea set, draping yourselves in borrowed baubles and dreams? ”

The memory struck like morning frost—sharp and unexpected. “No, my parents gave me the typical things children of beta families usually have…A classic kitchen set for those who couldn’t afford a dispenser, a sewing machine, and I was beginning to learn how to fix hover cars when my puberty hit.”

The words tasted of rust and regret, of a life severed at its roots before it could truly bloom.

“So you know nothing about jewelry…or dressing up for that matter,” Quinn concluded, shaking her head with lips pressed thin. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Love me,” I teased, sticking out my tongue while batting my eyes in mock innocence. “That’s why I have you. How would I know what jewelry I want to complement them?”

“May I help you?”

A mature beta materialized before us like a mirage born of commerce and courtesy.

Sweat traced silver lines along his receding gray hairline, glistening like morning dew just before the sun’s first touch—fragile, fleeting, and betraying a quiet tension beneath his composed exterior.

His pale green eyes flickered between us like trapped moths seeking light—desperate, fluttering, unsure where to land.

His name tag caught the store’s illumination, a constellation of tiny gems spelling ‘Toasty’ in obsidian ink.

The station badge seemed an afterthought, shadowed by the brilliance of his employee identification on his midnight-black suit.

“Elara is looking for a showpiece for her virgin walk in The Den,” Quinn replied, her playful tone crystallizing into professional precision as she slipped into her role like armor donned for battle.

“I know you’re renowned for stunning pieces in high demand.

Fortunately, I was told your store recently received a new shipment of fine stones perfect for the occasion. ”

“Fortune smiles upon you.” Toasty’s grin bloomed wild and glittering, revealing diamond and gold studded front teeth that caught light like captured stars.

He opened his arms as if welcoming long-lost kin before placing weathered hands onto the fiberglass display cases.

“You’ve heard correctly. The shop’s inventory is the finest it’s been since we relocated here.

Is there, perchance, a particular style calling to your heart? ”

“I was hoping for something more natural.” I bit my bottom lip, scanning the displays as imagination failed to conjure myself adorned with the treasures within.

This wasn’t me—this gilded creature Quinn envisioned.

But if she believed this was necessary, then I would trust her wisdom like a ship trusts its compass in unfamiliar waters.

“Something classy and not too theatrical.”

“Let’s begin with your dress, and we can weave dreams from there.”

“An elegant backless emerald dress with a see-through bodice, detailed with fine crystal beading,” Quinn explained, pressing her hand against my back to guide me closer to the display.

Her touch was warm certainty against the cool uncertainty of my spine.

“Her hair will be braided to allow the whole room a clear view of her face from all angles of the arena…and tempt them with her needy unmated omega scent.”

“Sounds exquisite,” Toasty drawled, releasing a long whistle as he studied me with the intensity of an artist contemplating a blank canvas, absorbing atmosphere and possibility.

The weight of his gaze felt different from invasive stares—more like a craftsman measuring space for beauty.

He tilted his head and nodded, clicking his teeth as satisfaction painted his features.

“I have something precisely right for you.”

With a twinkle igniting his eyes like struck flint, he swiftly turned.

I caught the shimmer of his mating bite on his neck’s nape as he disappeared through the back door.

Instantly, I discovered why he bore the name Toasty as bubbly, melted marshmallows roasted over campfire flames teased my senses before the filtration system swept the scent away like autumn leaves on wind.

My legs clenched involuntarily as a whimper bubbled in my throat like champagne seeking release.

Heat bloomed across my cheeks, embarrassment at becoming aroused by an older—yet undeniably attractive—bonded beta.

Was this merely a glimpse of what awaited me?

I shouldn’t be lusting after every edible-smelling person I encountered.

Scanning the store desperately, I hoped no one witnessed my predicament, cursing under my breath when knowing gazes met mine from every direction.

Between the room’s brilliant lighting and the single line of display cases forming a U-shaped border between customers and workers, there was nowhere to hide—save behind Quinn.

“It’s going to be perfectly fine, Elara,” Quinn soothed, gripping my shoulder and pressing me against her side like a shield against my own desires.

Her calming scent rolled over me in waves, grounding my arousal with the familiarity of morning gardens after rain.

“What happened is completely natural, especially for unmated omegas approaching their heat. As soon as we finish here, we’ll return you to your nest.”

“What if I leave and allow you to pick whatever you want me to wear tomorrow?” I huffed, just wanting to be done with the day. “I know you don’t need me…And you are fully capable of buying whatever you believe I need.”

“Because that wouldn’t be any fun,” Quinn teased, pouting with theatrical disappointment before giving me a reassuring squeeze and releasing me. “You know I’ve never led you astray.”

“I know…”

Rolling my eyes, I surveyed the room once more, only for my gaze to lock onto a trio conversing with another worker nearby.

Their leader glanced up, icy blue eyes meeting mine as his mouth fell slightly open, stunned recognition flickering across his features like lightning illuminating a storm-dark sky.

The woman beside him possessed wild fiery hair that seemed to dance with its own life force, shifting like flames in the air currents.

She noticed his distraction and gently struck his stomach with her elbow.

He jerked his attention back to their worker while the long brown-haired male with them looked my way, curiosity painting his light brown eyes before they widened like surprised moons.

He instantly lowered his head and turned away.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, ladies,” Toasty exclaimed, emerging with a black case that he placed onto the display with reverent care, opening it with the ceremony of unveiling treasure. “These beauties will make every soul in the room turn toward you on your momentous day.”

Inside lay five different jewelry sets, but only two seized my breath and held it captive.

A thin, three-tiered necklace crafted from a silver chain adorned with pearls and diamonds glistened in the store’s crisp lighting like captured starlight. Beside it rested a thick pearl and diamond choker paired with matching chandelier earrings that would catch light with every movement.

“These are perfect,” I gasped, pressing my hand to my chest as if to contain my racing heart while glancing at Quinn, who beamed at me with a triumphant ‘I told you so’ grin blooming across her features. “But don’t you think they’re too extravagant?”

“There’s no such thing as too extravagant.” Quinn chuckled, picking up the necklace with steady, deliberate fingers. “I know some omegas prefer more natural looks, but that doesn’t suit either you or your gown. You need something to match the class and allure designed to entrance those alphas.”

“Your gamma speaks truth.” A baritone voice sliced through our conversation like a blade through silk. “Perfect omegas leave their necks exposed for easy access. Anything adorning them would only be destroyed in passion’s heat, and we cannot allow such waste.”

A dark-haired male leaned against the display, arms crossed and back pressed against the glass like a predator claiming territory.

His brown gaze locked onto the junction of my neck with laser intensity while a low purr radiated from his chest, confirming the alpha rank displayed on his station badge.

His scent hit me like a physical blow—soured limes and burnt honey that wrinkled my nose in disgust, instantly drying any arousal remaining in me like desert wind stealing moisture from flowers.

As he reached toward me with the back of his hand, I tried to retreat, only to find Quinn’s arm around my waist, tucking me behind her protective presence like a shield forged from loyalty and steel.

His eyes remained hypnotically fixed on my neck, as if entranced, unfazed by Quinn’s sudden intervention. My gamma gripped his wrist and twisted it with precision born of training and fury. His purr transformed into a hiss as shock bulged his eyes like a fish pulled from water.

“Don’t you ever think about placing a hand on an omega uninvited,” Quinn growled, positioning herself between the presumptuous alpha and me like a fortress wall. “Do you understand me?”

“Your omega shouldn’t be so enticing. Looking all innocent and smelling ripe for claiming.

She stands there begging for the room to pay attention to her and only her.

” His voice dripped with arrogance instead of anger, as if his actions carried no weight or consequence.

“So how about you move aside and allow me to continue my conversation with that exquisite omega behind you?”