Page 95 of Knot My Only Fan

“Her perfume. It was the first time my body sang, but it was fleeting, and I’d already married your mother. Regardless of what you think about me, I couldn’t pursue the smell.”

My head tilts to one side as I study him, and realize maybe, just maybe, he’s not as bad as I always thought.

“How did it make you feel?”

“Depressed. I felt like my soul had died.”

I nod.

“Who is she?” he asks again.

“Nobody.” Despite whatever moment I’m sharing with him, I know this man will do or say anything to get what he wants.

“When did you smell her?” I ask. “The omega you think is your scent match.”

“Not long after your sister was born. It was in the hospital.”

“So chances are your scent match was having another alpha’s baby?” My voice is gravelly as I think about Stanton being the one with Grace when my baby is born.

“Yeah. I suppose so.” He still looks lost in a world where he is still trying to work out what is going on in his head.

“Don’t leave New York. I promise I’ll try to be a better man.” His voice is softer than I’ve ever heard him speak to me before. “A better father.”

I narrow my eyes. “Why?”

His watery eyes meet mine. “You’ve already told me. I’m a shit father, and I want to make your life better.” Tears run down his cheeks and I have to swallow to hold my back. “What’s the point of anything if all your children hate you?”

“Will you care about us when you’re the next president?” My tone is full of bitter fury.

His eyes meet mine. “I’ve been thinking a lot since our fight before the charity night. How embroiled I’ve become in that world. How my life interferes with yours. And I’m sorry. I pushed your brother away, and your sister is studying on the other side of the country…” He pauses for a beat. “I know it was to get away from me.”

“Is this a trap? Are you trying to make me feel sorry for you?”

“I’m trying to tell you I’m sorry.” And for the first time in my life, I believe him. “I saw the way you looked at her.” He blows out a breath. “I saw the pain in your eyes when Stanton talked about their baby. I only just got it now. I thought it was because he had what you wanted, but it’s because it’s her. You’re in love with her.”

I swallow as tears roll down my face as I sob. “I had to protect her and the baby from you.”

“The baby is yours? Oh, fuck!” he says, scrubbing his hand over his perfectly shaven jawline. “What the fuck have I done to you?”

I can’t breathe, my lungs have seized.

My shoulders sag and I gasp. “I love her Dad. Not just because she’s my omega and carrying my baby. I love her. I’ve loved her since the first day I saw her when I thought she was a beta.” I press my hand on my chest. “It hurts so much that I can’t have her.”

“You can.”

I shake my head. “No. I can’t. You’ll use her and the baby for your political gains.”

He growls, “Why is she with Stanton?” Like he’s only just realized.

“He thinks we’re pack mates.” His eyebrows furrow and a deep crease shows in the center of his forehead. “We took her through her heat together.”

“Oh.” My father’s chin lifts as he considers me. “And you? Do you feel like he’s your pack mate?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I’m not letting you hurt anyone, including Stanton.”

“I don’t know what to say for you to believe me, but I’ll make it better.”

“But why? You wanted me to marry Raine. What’s changed in the last five minutes? You said it yourself. Money and power are more important than scent matches.”

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