Page 27 of Knot Their Safe Haven

Someone was watching…knew about Malcolm's visits…but what harm would it cause? Planning his downfall? Corruption? What would they even gain?

The question was whether they knew the full truth—that I was awake sometimes when he touched me, that I'd crafted this elaborate performance of unconsciousness to get what I needed without sacrificing my pride.

Or did they think they'd uncovered some sordid secret; a violation they could use against us?

"Ms. Morclair?"

I snapped back to attention, finding twelve pairs of eyes focused on me.

"I apologize. Could you repeat the question?"

"I was asking about the medical staffing for the new facilities," Dr. Chen repeated, concern flickering across her features. "Whether we'd be drawing from the existing Doctor Alpha network or recruiting fresh."

"Both," I replied automatically, falling back on prepared talking points. "We need experienced doctors and medical professionals who understand our mission, but we also need fresh perspectives. The old guard has their uses, but they also come with...ingrained biases."

Like the bias that made Malcolm think he had to wait until I was unconscious to touch me.

Or the bias that kept Knox at arm's length despite twenty years of want.

Even the lingering bias that sent Adyani across an ocean to become worthy of me instead of claiming me as she was.

I hate being so in my head…

"Speaking of medical staff," someone interjected, "will Dr. Malcolm be overseeing the new facilities as well?"

My smile didn't falter, even as my pulse jumped.

"Dr. Malcolm has been invaluable to our mission. I'm sure he'll continue to support our expansion in whatever capacity he can."

Whatever capacity…just to appease all these people who probably don’t give a damn unless they’re paid and projecting the rightful image to thescruntizingpublic watching us like hawks.

"He's been quite... dedicated to the Haven's success," another voice observed, and I couldn't tell if the pause was meaningful or my paranoia reading into shadows.

"Indeed. We're fortunate to have allies who understand that supporting Omegas isn't just about politics…it's about providing comprehensive care for those who've been failed by the system."

The words came out smooth and practiced, but I wondered if they could hear the bitter irony underneath.Comprehensive care. Is that what we called it now?This careful dance where my Alphas circled but never claimed, where I got fucked in the darkness but woke alone, where we all pretended this was enough?

The meeting finally ended with the usual bureaucratic fanfare—action items assigned, follow-up dates scheduled that everyone knew would be postponed indefinitely, and carefully worded statements that meant absolutely nothing.

I gathered my papers with practiced efficiency, ignoring the whispers that followed my movements. The love bites on my neck throbbed beneath my high collar, a constant reminder of last night's weakness.

Or was it weakness? I couldn't tell anymore.

The conference room emptied slowly, bureaucrats lingering to gossip about my late arrival. Gossip took you nowhere in this world anyways.

Today's speculation would be forgotten by tomorrow's scandal.

"Ms. Morclair." André Whitmore's voice stopped me at the door. The Beta secretary of domestic affairs stood too close, his cologne overwhelming. "A moment?"

I turned, fixing him with the dead-eyed stare that had made grown Alphas wet themselves.

"Make it quick. I have actual work to do."

His lips thinned.

André had always hated that I didn't defer to him despite his government position. Being a Beta in a world that worshipped Alphas had made him bitter, and he took particular pleasure in reminding Omegas of their "place."

"The registry committee has concerns about your latest expansion proposals."