Page 102 of Knot Your Business

“Violet, stop,” he says, his voice gaining an edge of annoyance.

My body relaxes, the instincts responding without me willing them to. I glare at him and force my hand out of his grip. He doesn’t seem angry. Instead, he twists and grabs a folder I hadn’t noticed tucked on the table next to his phone. His gaze is intense as he hands it to me.

My stomach roils, those butterflies back in my throat, and I can’t help the trembling of my hands as I take the folder, the rough, thick paper sitting like a lead weight between my fingers.

Was this instructions from the Council of what would be expected from me going forward? Did it contain my official classification as unmatched?

“It’s only missing your signature,” he says. “We were able to get a week’s extension from the Council on the premise of you going into heat.”

An extension? They didn’t need to file an extension, not unless…

My throat closes.

There’s a long silence. I don’t move, don’t even breathe. He keeps his eyes locked on mine.

“Mi dispiace, Sirena,” he murmurs eventually. “I have spent my life resenting the designation, the instincts that are so deep they burrow in my bones even when I wish I could dig them out. I hate that I feel chained to them, that they are what controls my life and I am merely a passenger in my own life.”

I knew how that felt, had raged against the universe for years when my blood work confirmed my worst fear.

“I am…” He trails off and mutters something in Italian. “I am not the only one who resents it, though, am I? What I am, what I have been forced to become because of my family.”

My chest tightens.

I must give something away in my face because he nods once.

“Jasper explained it to me. How it happened for you. I… am ashamed I did not seek to know you better. That I assumed you were like the Omegas I encountered while taking the required learning from the Council.” He circles my wrist again, the touch so hesitant I nearly laugh in shock. “I would like to learn, though. Your favorite color. Your favorite meal. How you enjoy your coffee in the mornings. They are intimacies I have enjoyed with Jasper. I would like them with you, too, if you’re able to forgive me for the way I’ve treated you.”

It can’t be that simple. There has to be some catch that he hasn’t brought up yet. He’s hated me from the day we matched, resented me for my designation and the assumptions of what that would bring to his relationship.

“You are welcome to deny it, of course,” he says after another minute. “Your annulment is still filled out and could be filed instead.” His eyes flash with anger before he runs his hands through his hair and leans against the headboard again. “I will understand if you’d rather not deal with me at all at this point. What I did to you would be considered unforgivable by many. I will not hold it against you if you find you are unwilling to trust me now.”

“And if I stay?” I ask. My voice trembles, but there’s nothing to help it at this point. “How long until you walk out on me again because you dislike something your body does in response to my own?”

There’s a low grunt behind me, and I tense. I twist to see which guy it is, but Dominic stops me with a finger under my chin. He shakes his head.

“I’m done fighting it,” he murmurs, even softer than before. “I thought Jasper would be enough. That between him and the rut suppressors, I would have enough meaning to ignore the ache the instincts cause. And perhaps if you were someone else…” He shrugs. “But you are not. You are too enthralling for me to ignore any longer. I don’t want to.”

The honesty rings through his words. His shoulders are relaxed, and a small smile tips his lips.

Something twists in my chest, and the truth falls from my mouth before I can bring it back.

“I don’t want kids.”

He cocks an eyebrow.

“I didn’t even before I designated. I’ve… I’ve actually had two abortions.”

Dominic drops his hand from my chin, running it down my arm until he presses it into my own. I’m not entirely sure why I lace our fingers together, but his skin is warm against mine, and some of the tension loosens. His gaze flicks to whoever is behind me. It’s like the motion lets me notice them, their warm heat pressing closer to me as they step farther into the room. This time, Dominic doesn’t stop me from looking over my shoulder.

Rylan holds Jasper’s hand, his grip tight enough his knuckles are white, though Jasper doesn’t show any discomfort. Rylan’s eyes are intent on me, the green striking despite the dark circles that give away just how little sleep we’ve all gotten the last several days. His tattoo is marred with bruises. My chest flushes, and his lips tip up into a ghost of a smile.

They pause at the side of the bed. Jasper drops his free hand to Dominic’s thigh.

“That’s what happened after your heat in March?” Rylan asks after a moment. “That’s what pushed you into choosing to be matched?”

I nod. “The Alpha didn’t wear a condom. I didn’t find out until afterward that he misread my information and thought I was on long-term birth control. I got my IUD as soon as they let me afterward.”

Jasper’s face hardens, anger stiffening his movements as he leans a hip against the bed. “Did you get him in trouble?”

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