Page 29 of Knottily Ever After (Crescent Lake Cozy Omegaverse #1)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Violet

“ I just don’t feel like I’m a real Omega.”

My tone is absolutely pitiful. I’d just finished telling Bec the whole story of suppressants, scent matching, packs, and the fact I’d slept with Quinn, and how it was the most amazing sex I’d ever had.

But the more I thought about it, the effects of my meds depressed me.

“Vi,” Bec says with care, “you are a wonderful Omega. I knew what the side effects said they could do, but I never realized how terrible they really were. I guess we were just accustomed to it.” She sighs and shakes her head on my phone screen as we video chat, her blond hair tumbling over her shoulders before her expression turns angry.

“We’re all told to get on them before we even hit puberty, as a ‘precaution.’ And now you’re telling me that these pills have dulled our senses?

Maybe even stopped us from finding the people we’re meant to be with? ”

I’m nodding at her silently, a frown on my face. “It isn’t right,” I say at last. “I don’t know how they get away with it.”

Bec huffs and rolls her blue eyes. “Money. Control. Why else?”

She’s right, of course.

“Could there be truth to the idea of mass panic and danger if Omegas are always producing strong perfume? Going into heat in public or something?”

She frowns. “I mean, it’s possible. There are all kinds out there, some with no sense of control.

Some with stronger instincts. But put all of us on medication, mandated by law, make us subdued…

” Another sigh. “And Omegas always get it the worst if they stop taking their suppressants. If an Alpha ‘ forgets,’” she makes air quotes with her free hand, “they get a slap on the wrist, a shot in the ass, and then sent on their merry way.”

“Truth.” My brows draw tight. “I’m going off my suppressants, Bec.”

The smile that stretches across her face is blissful. “You deserve this, Vi. You deserve happiness surrounded by super hot Alphas who wait on you hand and foot.”

I laugh, head shaking. “It’s not like that.”

“Just wait,” she shakes a finger. “You always write monogamous romance stories, but there are plenty of authors out there who write about pack love. I know at least some of them are experiencing it firsthand. You should see some of the things they write about.” She fans herself dramatically.

That makes me thoughtful. Should I maybe read some of those books? See what’s being put out there?

“Do it.” It’s like she can read my mind.

I laugh. “Any recs?”

Her grin is wicked, her eyes glinting. “I’ll text you a list later.” Her head inclines. “Really, Vi. I am so happy for you.”

“Nothing has happened yet,” I remind her.

“Nothing?” she shouts. “You had crazy hot sex with Mister V-Cut himself!” Her head shakes. “You’d better put that in your book. Or, at least some of it. You’ll drive your readers nuts.”

Another laugh, and I grin. “I’ll think about it.”

“Don’t think. Do.”

“How are things in L.A.?” Masterful evasion, Vi.

She grimaces. “Well, the city is fine. Most of the people are fine…” she trails off.

I raise a brow. “What’s going on?”

“It’s Steve,” she says on a sigh. “Do you still want to know?”

I wince at his name. Not that I’ve forgotten him, but he hasn’t been at the forefront of my mind. Even if I do think of him, it’s more in passing than anything.

“Go ahead and tell me.”

“He lost his job,” she begins, “and he had a falling out with his family. Izzy saw him in the lobby of their building the other day, and she said he looked like hell.”

Izzy is one of Bec’s friends who works for a game developer in the city, and lives in the same building as Steve.

A bit of shame overtakes me when I realize a part of me, deep down, is smug at this news.

He was an absolute douchebag. He cheated on me after years of friendship, years of being lovers!

But still, that friendship was the only thing that had gotten me through the most difficult time of my life when my parents died.

Steve had been truly caring. A best friend beyond all others. And I will never forget that.

“That’s terrible,” I say, and I mean it. I didn’t actually want his whole life to fall apart.

Did I leave his office door open while he was locked in his assistant’s ass at work?

Yes.

Did it feel good when I passed his boss on the way out, knowing where he was headed?

Absolutely.

Does it feel good now?

...Not so much.

I sigh and throw myself back on my bed in a huff. “This is my fault.”

“What?” Bec is screeching now. “This is that motherfucker’s fault, not yours!”

“But I let him get caught. That has to be why he lost his job. And losing his job is probably why he’s fighting with his parents.” I groan. “His dad and mom were always so strict. They wanted their Alpha son to be just-so.”

“That’s not your fault, and now, no longer your problem. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“No, Bec. Please don’t keep things from me. I want to know this stuff.”

She’s quiet a moment, then nods. “Okay, girl. I’ll tell you whatever comes up, if you want.”

“I do. I think being able to handle it will help solidify that I’m moving on.”

Bec looks thoughtful. “You’ve got it. I’ll keep you updated. And speaking of updates,” she gives a sly grin, “on top of updating me on your book progress, I expect updates on your men, too. Gotta live vicariously through you, now.”

I give a laugh, somewhere between a chuckle and giggle. “You should come out here!” I say in a moment of genius. “See what small-town life is like.”

“I’m swamped, Vi, but… maybe in a couple of months, when things die down.”

My smile is huge. I’d love for her to visit. I miss my friends, as few as they were.

And that thought gives me an idea.

The Sweet Tooth was super cute the day I came here for the first time with the guys, and it may be even cuter now.

New decorations are on the walls, including some colorful LED lights in a rainbow of colors close to the ceiling that illuminate the space beautifully.

There are a few patrons in the shop, a group of three men and a woman with two children, all of them eating at a table together in the front by the windows. And behind the counter is the reason I came by.

Her, plus some tasty treats.

“Hey, Julie,” I say, a little shy.

Julie smiles kindly at me, her red hair tied up in a bun, dark blue eyes sparkling. “Violet!” her hands clap. “It’s great to see you.”

“You, too.” I smile back, feeling the kindness ooze off her.

Also, the scent of vanilla and something floral radiates from her body.

I hadn’t caught her scent before. “If I’m being too forward or nosy, please tell me,” I say in a low tone, “but Vaughn said you completed your pack recently. Congratulations, by the way,” I add.

“Thank you!” she gushes, pure joy emanating from her.

I shift on my feet. “I, uh… I think I found my pack, and I’m unfamiliar with all of this. I was wondering if you’d be willing to talk to me about it. Maybe teach me some things.”

The warmth in her smile turns up several notches, and she’s nodding before I finish speaking. “I would love to, Violet. I’m happy to help.” She checks the time. “I’m here for another hour before Tommy comes to take over. Would you like to take a walk then?”

“Absolutely.”

After bringing home some custom quarts of ice cream and an array of candy from The Sweet Tooth and putting everything away, I texted the guys that I’d be late for dinner because I would be chatting with Julie.

Vaughn

Julie is a great woman. You’ll have a wonderful time, I’m sure.

Quinn

Don’t be too late! I want to see you before I have to get to bed. *kiss face emoji*

Ben

*eye-roll emoji* Just have fun and be safe, Violet.

The warmth in my chest blossoms, and I’m on Cloud Nine by the time I make it back to the ice cream parlor.

Julie meets me outside, and we walk along Main Street, chatting a bit about ourselves.

I learn that Julie is from the Texas Panhandle and came to California for college, then never went back once she met her first scent match on campus.

Tommy was born and raised in Crescent Lake, and that’s where the two of them settled after graduation.

“It took about a year before we crossed paths with Ivan. He came here on vacation at Christmastime, and Tommy met him first. They knew right away they were pack brothers.” She laughs.

“Tommy was a little worried introducing us. I didn’t understand why until I talked to him, and he said Ivan made him feel like less of an Alpha. ”

“Why is that?”

“Ivan’s huge. Like a giant mountain man,” she giggles, and I remember the Viking-guy I saw with her at Hops & Scotch.

“Tommy is tall and lean. Not scrawny, but I guess he felt like he was when standing next to Ivan.” Her head shakes.

“And then there’s Alan.” Her smile is sweet, nurturing.

“He was passing through on a move to Oregon from San Diego. Stopped in at the ice cream shop.”

We arrive at the park and take a seat on a bench shaded by a giant tree.

“As soon as our eyes met, we knew. Even before I scented him.” She turns to me. “He’s a Beta, and really shy. I think he was shocked to the core to find me!”

We laugh together, and I smile at her. “That’s so beautiful. I know you’ll all be happy together.”

“Oh, we are.” She grins, a little devilishly. “But we’re not here about me. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

Ooh boy.

“Well, coming from L.A., I not only don’t know anything about packs or how they work, but I’ve never…

” I trail off, clear my throat and lower my voice, despite no one being within earshot.

“I don’t know if you’re from a city that mandated suppressants, but I’ve been on them since I was eleven.

I never knew how much they affected me until I came here and met Vaughn, Quinn, and Ben. ”

Her blue eyes are round as they blink at me. “Oh, wow, Violet,” she whispers. “It’s like we’re two peas in a pod. I was on suppressants before I met Tommy, too.” She grows serious. “Have you ever experienced a heat?”

“Almost?” I feel so stupid. “My suppressants are wearing off, and I came as close to a heat as I ever have recently. I don’t think it was completely uninhibited, though. My suppressants haven’t worn off yet.”

She’s nodding, thoughtful. “And your instincts? Like, scenting and nesting?”

“Scents are much stronger for me now, especially my Alphas’. But I haven’t felt the need to nest. Not really.”

“Chances are, once your suppressants wear off completely, you’ll get punched in the gut with your first heat,” she tells me.

“And it may be really strong. Not only because of your age and never experiencing one before, but because you’re surrounded by your pack.

You’re going to need them to get you through it. ”

I lean back on the bench with a loud exhale, let my head fall back for a moment. “I’m not too upset over that,” I confess. “I want them so bad.”

A little giggle. “That will never change, I tell you. But there will be moments, especially your first time, when nothing feels like it’s enough. You’re just wanting, and wanting. Since you’re already with your pack, what will ease your overwhelming and uncontrollable instincts is the marking.”

“Marking…” I remember Quinn mentioning that when we had sex, but it didn’t fully register. Last time I’d ever thought about marking was in health class in school.

“During your heat, you’ll want to be marked and to mark your pack. It forms a bond that soothes the animal impulses a bit. At least enough that you can make it through your heat without feeling like you’re completely losing your mind.”

I huff. “Wow, heats sound great.”

She laughs. “You’ll think they are once you’re having them regularly and surrounded by your guys.” Her eyes crinkle. “Mutual marking also solidifies your pack. Might have additional effects of some kind.”

Additional effects...

“Tell me about nesting, if you would.”

“Sure.” Julie grins. “Everyone is different, but we have a house on the outskirts of town. Because of instinct and hormones always fluctuating, some of us tend to get moody, so we each have our own bedrooms. We have a separate nesting room for when it’s time.”

“How will I know when it’s time? I mean, I remember learning about cramps and all that.”

“Oh, yeah, but once that happens, you’re in heat.

Leading up to that, you’ll start wanting additional comforts.

You might get territorial, become way more selective about who’s around you and your pack by scent.

” She considers a moment. “I start craving those cheese puff snacks like crazy. My guys will make sure that we have a huge stash of them in the pantry each season.” She giggles, and I smile.

“That is really sweet.”

“I know,” she sighs wistfully. “I am one lucky Omega.” She winks at me. “And I know you are, too. Your Alphas are good men. They really helped Tommy and me when we moved here a few years back.”

Although I already knew that my Alphas were amazing, hearing that causes pride to swell in my chest. “Thank you, Julie. I really appreciate you talking to me about this.”

“Oh, any time! I really enjoy having other women to talk to. I’m surrounded by men all the time at home.”

We laugh together when her phone rings.

“Speak of the devil,” she says. “Excuse me a moment.”

The call is very brief, but she gives me an apologetic look. “I have to get home. Alan needs me for something.”

I rise to my feet. “That’s no problem.”

“Let’s walk back to your place together. It’s on the way to mine.”

And that’s what we do, chatting idly along the way. When we arrive at the gate around the corner of Hops & Scotch, a giant of a man approaches from down the road, hand raised.

It’s definitely Ivan.

“There’s Ivan,” she confirms with a happy sigh. “He won’t let me walk home alone.” She nudges me. “Something else to look forward to! Chivalry.”

We say goodbye, and I wave to Ivan, who hasn’t reached us before Julie runs into his arms.

Watching them brings a smile to my face, a feeling of contentment to my soul.

And excitement for what is to come.