Knot the One They Want (Claimverse Book 1)

The sound of the vacuum cleaner drowns out my thoughts as I bustle around the living room, determined to whip this place into shape. I don’t technically have to do these kinds of chores, but it helps to have something to do with my hands. Something to keep my brain occupied, too.

It’s been a few days since my disastrous mating night, and the alphas have made themselves scarce since then, leaving me to my own devices. Not that I mind. Keeping busy is the only thing keeping me sane at this point. We see each other over awkward, silent dinners, and then we all go our separate ways.

Probably for the best, I tell myself.

I pause in front of the mirror above the mantle, grimacing at my reflection. The turtleneck I’m wearing itches like hell, but it’s the only thing that hides the incomplete mating marks marring my neck. I can’t stand wearing the collar since my wounds are too tender. Fortunately, I figured out a way to pick the lock on my own with a hairpin so I didn’t have to ask Damien for the key.

I tug at the collar of the shirt, peeking beneath the fabric to assess the damage. Damien’s bite looks particularly angry, the skin around it red and inflamed. I’ve been keeping it clean and applying antiseptic, but it doesn’t seem to be helping.

A twinge of worry twists in my gut. I’ve read that omegas can have adverse reactions to incomplete mating marks, and with my luck, I’m probably one of them.

But what can I do? It’s not like I can waltz into a doctor’s office and announce that my alphas rejected me.

The humiliation alone would kill me.

The doorbell chimes, jolting me out of my spiraling thoughts. ‘I’ll get it!’ I call out, tossing the vacuum aside and hurrying to the foyer.

I fling open the door, and there stands Addison in black leather and red lipstick. ‘Addie!’ I cry, throwing my arms around her.

She hugs me back fiercely, the scent of her perfume enveloping me like a comforting blanket. ‘Hey, babes. I missed your face.’

I usher her inside, my heart lighter than it’s been in days. We settle on the couch, and a young maid who doesn’t seem to hate my guts quite as much as Ellen brings us tea and snacks. I thank her with a grateful smile.

‘Holy shit, Evie,’ Addison breathes, her eyes wide as she takes in the opulent surroundings. ‘This place is huge. And so… stuffy.’

I snort, rolling my eyes. ‘Tell me about it. I’m going to have to do some serious redecorating. But first, I need to ask the alphas for spending money.’ I grimace at the thought. ‘That’s going to be a fun conversation.’

Addison leans forward, her brow furrowed with concern. ‘Enough about the decor. Tell me everything. How are you really doing?’

I shrug, picking at a loose thread on the couch. ‘There isn’t much to tell that I haven’t already texted you. They’re assholes. Especially Damien. They’ve made it very clear they don’t want me here.’

Addison’s eyes narrow. ‘What aren’t you telling me, Evie?’

I blink rapidly, trying to hold back the sudden sting of tears. Damn it, I promised myself I wouldn’t cry. But Addison’s gentle prodding has opened the floodgates, and before I know it, I’m spilling my guts.

‘They rejected me, Addie,’ I whisper, my voice cracking. ‘On our mating night. I presented myself, and they just… walked away.’

Addison’s jaw drops, her eyes flashing with fury. ‘They did what?’ she snarls, leaping to her feet. ‘Where are those bastards? I’ll kick their sorry asses!’

A watery laugh bubbles up my throat. ‘They’re at work, Addie. And as much as I appreciate the offer, I don’t think violence is the answer.’

She huffs, plopping back down beside me. ‘Fine. But seriously, Evie, why would they bite you in front of everyone and then pull this shit?’

I shrug, swiping at my damp cheeks. ‘Isn’t it obvious? They’re trying to run me off. They don’t want me here.’

Addison’s face darkens, her lips pressing into a thin line. ‘Fucking cowards. You should report them to the Council, Evie. What they’re doing is so not okay.’

I sigh, shaking my head. ‘I know I should. But… I can’t. As shitty as they are, living here is still better than being under Vivienne’s thumb. And if I go to the Council, I’ll just be humiliating myself and my family. A rejected omega.’ I shudder at the thought. ‘I just have to soldier through until they figure out I’m not going anywhere and they finally complete the mark.’

Addison takes my hand, her grip warm and reassuring. ‘You deserve so much better than this, Evie. Better than being tolerated by a bunch of dickheads.’

I give her a wry smile. ‘Tolerated might be a bit generous. But this is the real world, Addie. Fairy tales don’t exist. Guess I just have to hope that if I refuse to back down, they’ll eventually accept me. However grudgingly.’

The sound of tires crunching on gravel cuts through the air, and my heart sinks. None of them are usually home this early. I peek out the window, dread pooling in my stomach as I see Damien striding toward the front door.

Of course it would be him.

‘Fuck,’ I mutter under my breath. ‘Damien’s home.’

Addison’s eyes widen, and for a moment, I think she might actually make good on her threat to kick his ass. But then she takes a deep breath, squeezing my hand. ‘Maybe I can talk to him.’

‘Please don’t,’ I hiss. ‘I don’t want anyone to know about the incomplete marks, and I definitely don’t want him to know I told you.’

Addison hesitates, her lips pursed as if she’s biting back a scathing retort. I can practically see the gears turning in her head, weighing the satisfaction of telling Damien off against my pleading look. Finally, she sighs, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

‘Fine,’ she mutters, her tone laced with frustration. ‘But if he says one wrong thing, all bets are off.’

I don’t have a chance to respond before the front door swings open, revealing Damien in all his imposing glory. He steps inside, his piercing gaze sweeping over the room before landing on Addison. His brow furrows, a flicker of surprise crossing his chiseled features as he sets his briefcase aside and takes off his perfectly tailored suit jacket.

‘And who might you be?’ he asks, his voice a low rumble that sends an involuntary shiver down my spine.

Addison rises to her feet, squaring her shoulders as she meets his stare head-on. ‘I’m Addison, Evie’s best friend.’ She tilts her head, a saccharine smile playing at the corners of her mouth. ‘And you must be Damien.’

Damien arches an eyebrow, his gaze darting between us. I can tell he’s trying to decipher the unspoken tension crackling in the air. ‘Has Evie said much about me?’ he asks, his tone deceptively casual.

Addison’s smile sharpens, her eyes glinting with barely concealed disdain. ‘No, she hasn’t. You must not have made much of an impression.’

I suck in a sharp breath, my heart hammering against my rib cage. Oh, shit. Leave it to Addison to throw down the gauntlet right out of the gate. I brace myself for Damien’s reaction, expecting him to bristle at the blatant disrespect.

But to my surprise, he merely chuckles, a dry, humorless sound that sends a chill down my spine. ‘I can see why you two are friends,’ he remarks.

Addison rolls her eyes.

Damien’s eyes flicker over to me for a brief moment before he shrugs, his expression smoothing into one of cool indifference. ‘Well, don’t mind me. I’ll just be heading to my study.’

I rise to my feet, my heart pounding in my throat as I call out, ‘Wait!’

Damien stops, his broad shoulders tensing beneath his crisp white shirt. He turns, his icy blue eyes meeting mine with a guarded expectancy that sends a shiver down my spine. I swallow hard, steeling myself for the conversation I know we need to have.

‘I meant to ask about the household funds,’ I say, my voice coming out a lot steadier than I feel. ‘How can I procure what I need to make the house comfortable?’

His brow furrows, a flicker of annoyance crossing his chiseled features. ‘The servants take care of all the shopping, and the house is perfectly comfortable.’

Addison snorts beside me, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ‘Sure, if you like living in a postmodern funeral home.’

Damien’s jaw clenches, his eyes narrowing at the jab, but he doesn’t rise to the bait.

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I meet his gaze head-on. ‘I am the lady of the house now,’ I remind him, my tone firm despite the butterflies in my stomach. ‘I have a right to decorate as I see fit. Besides, I need things.’

His eyebrow arches, a challenge glinting in his eyes. ‘And what exactly do you need that you don’t already have here?’

A sudden surge of boldness washes over me, and I decide to play the one card I know will make him squirm. ‘Omega things,’ I say sweetly, batting my lashes with feigned innocence. ‘Toiletries, nesting materials, tampons.’ I add the last one pointedly, relishing the way his face pales at the mention of feminine hygiene products.

Male alphas are so fucking predictable, it’s pathetic.

He reaches into his pocket, his movements stiff and jerky as he pulls out a sleek black credit card. ‘Fine,’ he mutters, thrusting it toward me like it’s a live grenade. ‘You can take this.’

I pluck the card from between his fingers, a thrill of triumph surging through me as I flash him a cool smile. ‘Thank you.’

He grunts in response, his gaze darting away from mine as he turns on his heel. ‘I have to get back to work,’ he tosses over his shoulder, his long strides carrying him out of the room before I can say another word.

As soon as Damien’s footsteps fade down the hall, Addison and I turn to each other, our eyes wide with disbelief. For a moment, we just stare, the silence stretching between us like a taut rubber band. And then, as if on cue, we both burst into a fit of uncontrollable giggles.

I collapse back onto the couch, clutching my stomach as peals of laughter spill from my lips. Addison doubles over, her auburn curls bouncing with each gasping breath. It’s the kind of laughter that bubbles up from your toes, the kind that leaves you breathless and aching in the best possible way.

‘Oh my god,’ Addison wheezes, swiping at the tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘Did you see his face? I can’t believe he got so flustered over you mentioning tampons. What is he, fifteen?’

I snort, rolling my eyes as I catch my breath. ‘No, just an alpha,’ I say dryly, my tone laced with equal parts amusement and exasperation.

It’s a sad truth, but one I’ve come to accept. For all their posturing and bravado, most alphas are woefully inept when it comes to the realities of omega biology. Or female biology, for that matter. The mere mention of anything related to our cycles is enough to send them running for the hills, as if the very thought of menstruation might somehow taint their precious masculinity.

Addison shakes her head, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she plucks the black credit card from my fingers. She holds it up to the light, examining it like a rare artifact. ‘Well, at least you got this out of him,’ she muses, a sly grin tugging at the corners of her mouth.

I take the card back, turning it over in my hands as I consider the possibilities. It’s a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. A tangible reminder that even the most stubborn alphas can be brought to heel with the right leverage.

‘Yeah,’ I murmur, my mind already whirring with ideas. ‘I guess I do.’

Addison leans forward, her brow furrowed with curiosity. ‘So, what are you going to do with it?’ she asks, her tone equal parts eager and mischievous.

I pause, my lips pursing as I ponder the question. The sensible part of me knows I should be careful, that I shouldn’t push my luck too far too fast. But the petty, vindictive part of me, the part that’s still smarting from Damien’s rejection, wants to make him pay. Wants to show him that I’m not some meek little omega he can push around.

A slow, wicked smile spreads across my face as a plan begins to take shape in my mind. ‘I’m going to make him regret giving it to me,’ I say, my voice low and determined. ‘And if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s shopping.’

Addison’s eyes widen, a spark of excitement igniting in their hazel depths. ‘Atta girl.’