Page 2 of Knot Now Knot Ever

“It’s no problem at all. Truthfully, I’m glad just to dive right in,” I said, not wanting her to feel I was ungrateful.

Mrs. Thatcher smiled and cocked her head slightly. “You’re even lovelier in person. Those pictures on your resume don’t do you justice.”

My cheeks heated at her compliment. One thing I’d always been concerned about being an Omega in the working world was people not taking me seriously. It’s another reason I dressed so modestly for work, ensuring I never gave off the wrong impression. I wasn’t working hoping to find an Alpha to mark and take care of me. There was nothing wrong with that for others, but I thrived off having a purpose in life other than that. Being an Omega wasn’t something I wanted to change—it was the culture built around the designation that I didn’t embrace the same as everyone else.

Come to think of it, I’m not sure Mrs. Thatcher even asked me what my designation was. I immediately knew she was an Omega—we all gave off this certain feeling, just like you could always spot an Alpha. While I believe in the truth of our designations, and we are meant to be an Alpha, Beta, or Omega, my issue was scent matching and bonding. How could anyone possibly know just by one sniff if a person was your soulmate?

“Thank you. That’s kind of you to say, Mrs. Thatcher,” I murmured.

The soft musical chuckle from her confirmed my suspicions she was an Omega. “Darling, I can’t be the first person to have told you that. A true beauty shines through no matter how you try to hide it because it comes from the heart.”

She lost me there. I wasn’t one to believe that New Age good energy in means good energy out. Life had ripped off the rose-colored glasses early, but I would never begrudge someone’s beliefs.

“You’ll have to forgive me, Lyra. I wasn’t completely honest with you in the last email,” Mrs. Thatcher admitted. My expression must have alarmed her because she was quick to explain. “Don’t worry, you still have a job, the pay you were promised, and a two-year contract with us. None of that has changed. The person you will be working for isn’t me but will be my son, Eli. Truth be told, he runs the whole company even though technically, on paper, it’s his father and I who own it.”

“Oh, well, that shouldn’t be an issue,” I said, relaxing, thinking it would have been something worse.

As the car came to a stop at a traffic light, Jolene came to sit beside me and took my hand. “Eli is a good man with a big heart… something I’ve taken advantage of over the years, leaving him to care for his baby sister. Now that she’s found her pack and doesn’t need Eli the same way anymore, he’s a little lost. He lost his last assistant due to the pack needing to move and has refused to find another. So I hired you for him without his knowledge. Well, he knows now but didn’t before.”

I blinked at her a few times, confused as to what my reaction should be to this. “Oookay.”

Jolene scooched closer as if she were hatching some secret plan. “Well, to get back at me, he took a business trip and will be gone for the next week. He might see that as a punishment, but I see it as an opportunity. This gives you a week to learn the system, our business, and review the notes his previous assistant left behind. Once Eli’s back, you’ll wow him, and he’ll accept you’re his new assistant.”

“Wait, are you saying he doesn't want me as his assistant?” I questioned.

“More like he doesn’t want anyone as his assistant. He’d rather do it all himself so he never has to face the need to find his own life and happiness. Yes, I’m aware how much of a meddling mother I am, but all I want is for my boys to be happy,” Jolene explained, her expression so pained at the thought of her sons. “Everyone needs someone to love and love them back. You understand as an Omega, don’t you?”

Before I could help it, a bitter laugh slipped out. “I might not be the best person to answer that question.”

Jolene let out a mothering coo and wrapped me in a hug. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been hugged like this. It was probably about seventeen years since that’s how long since my mother had passed. The truth was, only a mother knew how to comfort someone with such a simple act.

“I won’t pry, but whatever happened to you, I’m so very sorry. We’ve just met, but I can tell they’re the ones who messed up big time.” The magic in her words was astounding and just what I needed to hear.

I hugged her back, soaking in the physical contact we Omegas crave daily. Losing that constant dose of affection might be the hardest part of not having a pack anymore. If an Omega goes without any kind of physical contact or attention, it can lead them to become ill and, in rare cases, even die.

“Don’t you fret about a thing,” Jolene reassured me. “Eli is stubborn and can be demanding at times, but he’s never cruel. I know a way only a mother can know that you’re exactly what he needs. Maybe he might be what you need too?”

We fell into comfortable silence the rest of the way to the company’s main office. Lost in the comfort of being held, I forgot about my anxiety and fears for just a little while. However, all good things come to an end, and when we reached the office, Jolene gave me one more squeeze before letting me go.

“You know, if you’re interested, there are special cuddle groups for Omegas. It’s purely platonic, and there’s no ulterior motive. Its only purpose is to help other Omegas who don’t have someone in their life to offer what they need. No pressure at all, but if you decide you want information, let me know,” Jolene offered as the car door opened.

A man offered his hand to help me out of the limo, catching me off guard. I suppose when you travel with the owner of the company, they think you’re someone special too. Once out of the car, I followed Jolene into a private elevator with buttons for the top three floors.

“Ready?” Jolene asked, a bright, encouraging smile on her face.

“As I’ll ever be.” I sighed, making Jolene laugh.

“Oh, darling, you’re going to be just fine. I’ll make sure of it.” The confidence in her words and expression made me trust she’d make good on her word.

Five days had passed, and I’d been through the gauntlet known as training. I was incredibly grateful that it was Friday and would have the weekend to recover before Eli was back in the office. Jolene had flown out Eli’s previous assistant, Alvin, a sweet-natured Beta, to get me up to speed.

“It’s hard work and long hours, but if I didn’t have to move with my family, I would have gladly stayed for as long as I could. The Thatchers are wonderful people and treat all their employees fairly. If a big project was going on and I routinely needed to stay until ten, Eli made sure I got a bonus to cover on top of my salary,” Alvin shared as we ate lunch on the terrace connected to the cafeteria.

“How often did that happen?” I asked, taking another bite of my freshly made pasta.

Alvin shrugged. “Hard to say. I worked here for three years, and it all kind of blurs together after a while. What I can tell you is don’t waste your breath trying to get him to go home,” he warned, gesturing with his fork.

I gave him a questioning look, so Alvin elaborated. “Eli is the perfect example of do as I say, not as I do. The moment he realized how late it had gotten, he’d send me home and tell me to come in a little late the next day if I wanted. I’d encourage him to do the same and that sleep would help us both get things finished faster. Well, all I’d get in response was silence and a finger pointing toward the door. Only had to happen a few times before I knew my place was to take orders and make sure I was rested to keep the train on the rails.”