Page 4 of Trick Knot Treat

A thin whine of longing presses against my throat, and I swallow it so fast I choke. No one notices me. Not that I almost die, not that I exist, hell, they don’t even look at me.

The fact is no one in this town even knows I’m an omega. They all think I’m a beta, even Zaire.

I hate this.

“Oh, these are exquisite. You have outdone yourself this time, Koa.”

I frown at her, wondering how she got Koa from Khione.

“Thank you, they are brilliant. I can’t wait to see them handed out. Two more days.” The older omega claps her hands together and giggles. It’s terrifying.

“Is, um…” I trail off.

“Speak up.”

“Zaire Path, is he getting-”

“Oh, I have the perfect pairing for him. I have not given up.”

The tightness in my chest eases, and I can relax again. Oh, good. That’s just…good.

“I might just see myself out, then?”

“What? Oh, yes, go. Thank you. Everyone is going to love them.”

I dip my chin and leave, unnoticed by all the alphas and their omegas. In fact, there is only one person in all of Sunshine Cove that sees me, and he’s waiting on the road with his massive giant dog beside him. Well, him and my stalker.

“Want to go for a walk on the beach?” Zaire asks after searching my face and seeing something he doesn’t like.

I nod, not daring to speak lest all the words I’ve been trying to hold in spew out.

Spectre walks between us as we head down to the ocean, the roar of the waves is a pattern I hold in my heart.

Everything is okay.

Everything will be okay.

It’s as constant as the ocean, as the moon.

Zaire will find an omega and be happy.

And I will be alone and back home where I belong, but not for five more weeks.

Chapter 2

Khione

The Trick Knot Treat event has started, and I am in the crowd, being jostled back and forth, loving all the cameras and screams that the Pack Makers are getting. This has become what I live for.

“Another chance to find your mate, another chance to find a match. Double trouble, spectres, ghosts, and all that bubbles.”

I cringe. That was the worst rhyme in the history of rhymes. Ugh. No, my ears.

The old lady speaking keeps going, adding more and more to it. I tune her out, watching Lorelei cast pointed looks at Fox, who looks embarrassed but shrugs. What is he supposed to do? Wrestle the old lady for the microphone?

“Well, that was lovely, Sarah,” Lorelei says. “Let’s save any more rhyming for the celebrations, shall we?”

Sofia, who is partially in charge of Trick Knot Treat with Fox this year, has collapsed against a wall, laughing so hard her face is almost the same colour as her hair.