Page 20 of Knot My Fate

“Or dying…?”

“Here’s hoping.” She crosses her fingers with a lopsided smile. “Although, with the long-assed terms and conditions, I don’t know if they charge extra for that.”

“We don’t,” the secretary helpfully interjects. Then she pushes what looks like a small perfume spray across the desk. “Here, this will help to settle your nerves.”

“What is it?” I ask, warily.

I bet another way for them to make money. I know what these big corporations are like.

The secretary’s eyes dance with amusement. “Free of charge. It’s a specific scent neutralizing spray for Omegas who need to avoid smelling the scents of anyone in the clinic. It will also mask your scent.”

I snatch it up, spraying it over my pulse points at my wrists and over my scent gland on my throat.

Instantly, the world feels muffled. I can’t even smell my own scent.

My shoulders slump in relief.

It’s almost as good as being cocooned under Beau’s jacket back on the bed in Acorn Inn.

“Thank you.” Sophie turns a gentler smile on the secretary, as I slip the scent neutralizer into my pocket. “Look, while I spend from now until the end of days filling out these…” She flicks the thick pile of papers. “There’s a hydration bar in that waiting lounge just over there. Why don’t you go…wait.”

I snarl at her.

She rolls her eyes. “Taser, remember? You’ll feel less snarly and more purred-up once you get some sugar in you. It stops Omegas from being hangry.”

“That isn’t a thing.”

“I’m sure it is, bitch. It works on my animals. Don’t coffee and pastries make everyone feel better?”

She has a point.

I clack across the marble floor toward the waiting lounge.

Gentle acoustic music drifts out, along with the scent of freshly squeezed orange and pineapple juice.

I pass a kiosk that is labeled apothecary, which is filled with calming lotions, heat packs, and suppressants.

I have only placed one foot inside the waiting lounge with its cream walls and plush, dusk rose chairs, before chills race down my neck.