Knot Broken (Hiddenverse)

13. Lilah

CHAPTER 13

Lilah

The conversation with Elliott and even Rafe flows so easily, I've completely lost myself. It feels so natural and right that when Turner Clark appears and tells us all that it’s time for the ceremony, nerves explode in my belly. And the cameras come back into focus. As well as the omegas all glaring daggers my way for taking up the time of not one but two alphas.

How do I go from unsure about staying to wanting to stay in the matter of twenty-four hours?

Chad links his arm with mine the second we head for the ceremony room. “You really are going for it. I’m glad to see I’m not pulling all the weight in this little plan. But don’t let them fall for you, that will ruin everything.”

I scoff and glance up at him. “They were being nice. Nothing else.”

“Nice? There were twenty-nine of us omegas besides you, and you had the full attention of two of them. You are lucky you have me because these bitches are out for blood now.”

“That wasn’t my intent. I hung back. They came to me,” I say, pointing out the fact that they both did approach me, and neither one of them left my side all night after that.

If I was watching this play out on my television, I would be convinced that they are taking me all the way to the end. That it’s game over for everyone else. But I know better. Rafe just wants to use me, and Elliott’s just curious about the omega that has no filter.

Still, the evening was nice chatting with them. It’s left me with butterflies, who shouldn’t get any ideas about escaping my stomach.

I go through the motions as production meets us in the ceremony room and arranges us on the triple-layered dias by height. Chad is placed at the bottom, and I’m on the top. Hailey Gray and one of my roommates surround me on either side. And Willow’s on the opposite side behind Chad. Once everyone is in their places, the cameramen come into the room and film shots of each of us.

The space is full of nervous energy. And it seeps into me, making me know that if I were perfuming, it would have that slightly sweeter tang to it, more cookies and less cream. The guys file in, and trays are rolled in after and set up next to each of them. A red fabric covers each one, and I can’t help but try to figure out what the trinket is tonight.

I don’t wait long. Elliott uncovers his table, revealing blue velvet boxes, too large to be a ring and too small to be a necklace. Definitely some kind of jewelry, if I were to guess.

Turner steps forward as he’s done so many times on my screen. It’s surreal standing in this room ready for the first ceremony.

“It is time. Have you done enough to catch the attention of our alphas? Is the connection going both ways? You’ll have your answer soon. Each of our alphas, Elliott, Rafe, and Miles will each choose eight omegas. Six of you will go home tonight. Your dreams end here. While twenty-four of you get to look forward to the next opportunity to capture their hearts. Are you ready?”

The way the energy ramps up in the room as he speaks is so different in person. I’m hyper-aware of each of the omegas standing around me, as well as the alphas standing at the front of the room.

Each of them watch us, clasping their hands behind them, and various expressions paint their faces. Rafe’s screams that he’s uncomfortable with the whole process, while Elliott and Miles both smile. Although, if I had to guess, only Elliott’s happy tilt of his lips is real. I’ve witnessed Miles when he shows his teeth and that tight lipped expression is not it.

Elliott steps forward, reaching for a velvet box. He lifts his eyes to us, roaming over all of us, pausing on a few faces, including mine. It makes my heart gallop loudly in my ears. I’m positive the girl next to me can hear it.

He clears his throat. “I would like to give this first token to show my intent to…Tamika.”

My gaze flies to my roommate as she gasps in surprise and hurriedly steps forward.

“Will you accept this trinket?” he asks.

She nods excitedly. “Yes! I look forward to getting to know you.”

He smiles kindly, and she strides out of the room with a wide smile. I'm sure none of us could wipe the joy off her face. Not that I would want too. I like her.

Miles takes Elliott’s place and picks up one of the trinkets, testing the weight of the box in his palm. He lifts his eyes to us, and I feel it when his gaze brushes over me. He’s kept his distance this evening. But anytime he’s in my vicinity, it’s hard not to imagine the musk I smelled on him this morning.

It twists something deep in my belly and draws me to him. Almost as if he’s meant for me. Which is silly. Because I never plan to have another alpha again. Right? I mean, that was true before, but now I’m on a show for that purpose.

He wets his lips and swallows, and my hands go clammy as I sense his nervousness in the air. It isn’t a scent, not really, but an almost tangible emotion.

“Chad,” he begins, and my lips twist into a reluctant smile for him. I guess he did work his magic today. “I would like to give my first token to you.”

Chad looks over the rest of us, a smirk on his face before he shakes his ass up to Miles. It’s hard not to laugh at the antics, while the other omegas either glare or shift uncomfortably.

“Will you accept?—”

“Yes. Of course I will,” Chad cuts Miles off. “Anything to keep getting to know you.”

Miles smiles ruefully at the man, obviously enjoying his over-the-top personality. At least he isn’t being abrasive right now. Look, he can be charming. Who knew?

When he shakes his ass out of the room, Rafe moves up next to Miles and reaches for a box. There’s no pause with him; he doesn’t pretend to look the omegas over. He almost grimaces and says, “Hailey.”

“Cut!” Thomas shouts. He moves around the cameraman and glares at Rafe. “What is that? You’re an actor, at least pretend this is an exciting time.”

Pressing my lips together, I shift on my feet. Hailey’s bright red with embarrassment. After pretending they have a connection all day, I bet this is like cold water dumped over her head. Other omegas openly stare at her, and Thomas calls order to the room.

“From the top.” Thomas spins his hand in the air as he walks away .

Rafe sets the box back down. When the cameras count him in, I watch the physical change come over him. His shoulders relax, and his face softens. He lets a smile spread across his face, slowly lifting his head and meeting the stares of each of the omegas. The brief touch of his attention has bees exploding in an angry mass in my stomach. Even with the knowledge he will utter Hailey’s name.

I know it’s fake, I watched the transformation in front of my eyes, but there was a heat in his golden eyes when they landed on me that made me feel alive. Even with his attention moving on to Kayla and Brad does nothing to lessen the feeling. I smooth my hands down my stomach in a soothing motion and hold my breath.

“My first trinket will go to—Hailey. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we always find our way back to each other,” he pauses as Hailey moves in front of him. “Will you accept this token and give us another chance to make it right?”

I choke down a possessive growl as it rises in my throat at the over-the-top way he offers her the box. She gushes and plays her part. My inner omega does not care that it’s fake, it takes everything not to launch myself across the space and tear the box from her fingers. My nails bite into my palms, and I attempt to focus on my breathing, instead of the jealousy burning a path straight through my body.

The ceremony moves on, name after name called. Some make sense, while others I have to struggle to remember who they actually are. Down to nine, then eight, now seven, and still no token to stay. And maybe part of me wants to stay. Because my heart thunders in my chest before lodging itself firmly into my throat as Rafe steps forward for his last pick.

He slowly slides his attention over the seven of us still left standing on the dais like a bad line up. His eyes linger on Kayla before skipping over Roxanne and landing on me. They are like a branding on my soul as his gaze roams over my face. I can see the decision being made. Swallowing drily, I attempt not to fidget. Although, I can understand why omegas on the show do it now that I’m living it.

He flips open the box and snaps it shut as he draws in a slow, deep breath. Then the corner of his mouth lifts as if he’s remembering something that amuses him, before he says, “This last box is going to go to the omega who has come into my life like a tornado. Tearing up my foundation and tossing it around. I hope you’ll stay and help with the aftermath…Lilah?—”

My ears ring and my legs feel shaky as they carry me across the space to him. I’ve watched him say beautiful things to each of the omegas he’s picked, but this feels different to me. It feels real. Not that it is. He’s just a really great actor. Yet, try telling that to the part of me that leads with emotions. I come to a stop in front of him, and his gaze dances over my face, spreading warmth all the way to my belly.

“Lilah,” he almost whispers. “Will you accept this token and stay for the clean up?”

Miles shifts next to him, pressing his hands into his pockets. While Elliott grins like a kid in a candy store knowing he gets to buy anything he wants.

“Of course, as long as you think you’re ready for me,” I say, adding the flirty tone to my words for the camera. At least that’s what I tell myself as I accept the box. And when he leans forward and presses a soft kiss to my cheek, my heart tries to leap from my throat. He didn’t do that with anyone else.

My cheeks warm, and I know they are red as I step back, taking in the pack standing together like they were when I first saw them. Only now, it isn’t embarrassment that fills me, it’s something much worse. It's a fragile hope. I need to kill that before it grows.

“I’m always ready for a challenge,” he says cheekily .

His words alone chase me from the room, and I join the other staying omegas. Ignoring the rest of them, I flip open the box. My eyes find the perfect little heart charm on a blue velvet pillow. It’s the same as everyone else's, but I still add it to my bracelet from the first night.