Page 43 of Knot My Band: Part Two

The knot in my stomach pulls tighter, the anxiety no longer just a tiny twist.

“What is there to do but hope?” I whisper.

“We might need to consider canceling the festival show.”

The words hit like a splash of cold water, jolting me upright. “Cancel?” My voice spikes an octave, the word tasting sour on my tongue. “No way, Miranda. That’s not an option.”

This extra show was important to Dax, and now that we’re finally building our relationship, I don’t want to mess that up. I remember when he came to me and asked if I would go somewhere with him in Miami. It was important. I can feel it.

Her gaze softens, motherly concern etched into every line of her face. “I know how much this means to you, sweetheart, but sometimes we have to make hard choices. For your health, for your safety.”

I shake my head, waves of rose gold hair brushing against my shoulders. “I can’t.”

“There’s one more option.”

“Which is?” I ask, feeling hope.

Miranda sighs. “We can get an emergency suppressant shot on hand since it’s only needed for one day.”

My eyebrows shoot up, a mix of shock and wonder spreading across my face. “That’s a thing?” How did I not know about this?

I know about suppressant pills, but they only stop a heat if it hasn’t already started. I stopped my suppressants after the mini heat per the doctor’s instructions, and he advised me against using the pills again.

“Only in emergencies,” she says, her gaze steady, cautious optimism painting her words. “It’s potent and has risks, but it could work.”

“Risks?” The word slithers through my excitement, casting a shadow of doubt. But this is important. I’ll stop with all the suppressants after this.

“Yes. It can make your pre-heat-”

“Let’s do it,” I decide, the words tumbling out before I can second-guess them.

“Are you sure, Oli?” Miranda’s hand rests on mine, grounding me. “You need to think this through.”

“I’m sure,” I quip with a smirk, determination coursing through me like an electric charge.

“Alright then,” she sighs, knowing that once I’ve made up my mind, there’s no turning back. “I’ll get everything ready.”

“Why didn’t Trevor offer me this?” I ask aloud, not expecting Miranda to answer.

Was he hoping May would step in for me, or did he not expect me to be here at all?

Miranda sighs, the weight of the world seeming to rest on her shoulders. “Some people don’t want to help omegas succeed. It’s complicated. There’s a stigma and judgment. People think it makes omegas less somehow.”

She looks at me, and there’s sadness in her eyes.

“Less?” I repeat, anger flaring up like a match to gasoline. “Less than what? Less than those alphas who strut around like they own the place?” I shake my head, hair whipping like a flag in a storm. “Screw that. I’m glad I have you on my side now, Miranda.”

“Me too,” she agrees, a small smile cracking her professional facade.

“So you’ll handle this?” I ask, double-checking.

Miranda’s hand is a soft weight on my shoulder, grounding me as the chaos of pre-show nerves threatens to send my thoughts into a tailspin. “Don’t worry, Oli,” she says, her voice the calm in the eye of my hurricane. “I’ll have the shot ready if we need it.”

“Thanks, M,” I reply, trying to mirror her steadiness. “And… can you do one more thing? Have a plane on standby to jet us back to Cali if there’s time?”

I want my heat in the nest Dax has set up for us if we can. It feels like the perfect conclusion to the grovel he’s trying to do.

“Of course.” Her eyes meet mine, full of that unwavering support that’s become my lifeline. “Whatever you need.”