Knot The One They Want

Oril Pov

The trailer van I’m renting sits at the edge of the park, its paint peeling, its windows cracked, its roof patched with sheets of tin that rattle whenever the wind blows.

The place smells faintly of rust and damp wood, and the floor creaks under my weight. It’s the kind of place no one in their right mind would choose to live in, but grief makes people do crazy things.

I know my pack would think I’ve lost it, settling here for dirt cheap rent, but to me it’s better than living off Torin’s money.

I had been rotting my ass off in the studio for the longest time, waiting for Oracle to come back and save me. Back then, I didn’t know my poor brother was in jail. I thought he had abandoned me, just like everyone else. Instead of continuing to cry in the music studio over the notice that I was no longer pack second, I decided not to let Torin win.

When Torin was distracted, blinded by sadness over what was happening to Aunt Yurena, I made up my mind to get a job and try to stand on my own two feet. I sold the studio, the place that had once held all my dreams, and I used the money to pay the first three months’ rent for a trailer I had only seen online. It was all I could afford Prone is expensive.

And Yes, I got scammed—badly. The pictures online were misleading, polished to look like something livable, and they failed to mention the meth‑infested air and how dangerous the area was. There were no streetlights, no safety, just shadows and people coughing. But I had to live there, because it meant getting away from it all.

And as bad as my life was, I found myself liking the independence.

Walter stands in the doorway, his arms crossed, his eyes scanning the cramped space. "How can you stay in a place like this?" he asks, his tone sharp with disbelief.

I shrug, tossing a worn shirt into a bag. "It’s better than living off Torin’s money. At least here, I know I’m standing on my own two feet. I really hate Torin"

Walter shakes his head, muttering under his breath. "Hating people will make you suffer, you’ll do stupid things because you hate them."

I glance at him, raising an eyebrow. "You are telling me this? you hate everything and everyone that isn’t Spade."

He sighs, leaning against the wall. "My trip to my parents made me a calm person. I talked to my sister, told her everything that was happening. I realized this whole Lorali thing turned me into a version of myself I wouldn’t even like. So I’ve decided to just let the inevitable happen."

I pause, my hands stilling on the bag, no way I’m hearing this right. "You’re totally alright with Lorali joining the pack?"

Walter exhales slowly. "Of course it bothers me. But I’m willing to let it happen. Not that it matters, Lorali will never be in the pack. She hates us."

I study him, searching for cracks in his resolve. "You sound certain." I figured she fated me. Just me. After she lied to my face without any shame.

He nods. "I am. Of course she hates us, you might not know but she has this umm....." he pauses picking my interest "-She has this, venomous bond on her I searched it cause the words were ringing in my ear and apparently Oracle placed when he bite her and apparently he rejected her right after because this she’s bond to him and could literally kill her is she’s away him and I think this is my she wasn’t leaving that time."

The words hit me like a blow, because as shocking as it is, it makes no sense. "But, she was gone for three months and wouldn’t have died during that time." I whisper.

Walter nods grimly. "Two month’s" he corrects before adding "And that’s what I’m trying to figure out, who is she still alive?"

I swallow hard, my throat dry. I want to ask more questions to understand the situation better but I heat a honk outside and remember kei, that impatient prick is waiting. I zip the bag shut, forcing myself to move. "let’s go."

I lift my bag and make my way out of the van where the car is waiting outside. As we step into the night, the wind blows Walter scent down my nostrils, his scent has a hint of sweetness because of his upcoming heat and I can’t stop myself from leaning down and planting on Walter’s forehead. He blushes, swatting at me. "You’re impossible," he mutters.

I grin, shrugging. "And you love it."

As I’m lost in my omega’s blushing face by the corner of my eye, I notice a man walk past, his shoulders slumped, his eyes hollow. He looks depressed, worn down by life. I know the man, he’s very nice even with his appearance, I dumped on him my problems and he was fine with it.

"Bye, Liam," I call out.

He glances over, offering a weak wave before disappearing into the shadows.

Walter frowns. "Who was that? He looked like Torin."

I nod slowly. "I noticed it too, when I first met him."

Walter’s eyes widened. "Do you think... Yurena cheated?" Kei, who’s waiting by the car, bursts out laughing. I joined him, shaking my head. "Impossible," Kei says.

Walter laughs too, rubbing the back of his neck. "Of course. I’m stupid for even thinking it."

We move toward the car, but suddenly I stop, a thought striking me. "Wait, I forgot the food in the fridge."

Kei groans, exasperated. "Leave it!"

I shake my head, already turning back. "Do you know how expensive food is?"

Walter laughs, rolling his eyes. "You’re unbelievable."

Kei shouts again, but I ignore him, rushing back toward the trailer. I paid for that food with my own money, scrubbing tables and attending to people, ain’t no way I’m leaving it behind.