Page 3 of Knot a Thief

Every man smells the same. And each time I’m reminded is a punch to the gut—a stark reminder of my deficiency.

Not that I’ve told Garrett.

How can I tell my alpha I don’t know if he’s truly mine?

The thought makes my stomach churn with guilt.

I should tell him, but I don’t want to give up this luxurious life.

I’ve come to love it.

My gaze scans to the man’s right, seeking a distraction from my tumultuous thoughts. Only then do I notice the petite lady with a neat blonde bob, blue eyes, and a pretty face glaring back at me.

Just like his, her gaze is intense and sets me on edge. I squirm uncomfortably. It’s like they can see right through my facade, the one pretending she’s the perfect omega.

I press closer to Garrett's side as the weight of their combined stares makes me want to shrink into myself, to disappear.

I wrap my arms around myself, a futile attempt at protection. I have an overwhelming urge to flee, but I’m trapped, caught between my obligations to Garrett and my own uncertainties.

Because I know this is all on me.

“Long time indeed,” Garrett responds, his voice oozing with surprise. His eyes narrow, scanning the man from head to toe, searching for something I can’t put my finger on. “But this is not the time or place.”

The mysterious man smirks, his lips curling into a sly grin, setting my nerves on edge. “It isn’t, but remember, you have something that’s not yours.”

Garrett’s grip tightens around my arm protectively. Yet, I’m only thinking about the millions of dollars’ worth of pink diamonds sitting in his safe, and wondering if that’s why he was looking at them. “We’ll talk about that tomorrow. Not here.”

“We will, because tomorrow I will be collecting.” The other man looks at me, his silvery gaze darkening as his eyes lock with mine. It’s only for a few moments before he nods his head. “Goodnight.”

I smile weakly, nearly losing myself in his now blistering but stormy gray eyes. But I don’t want to irk Garrett by giving the man too much eye contact and turn my gaze to the floor.

Later that evening, Garrett is staring at the pink diamond again. Two times in one day, and it makes me wonder if he looks at it more often than I realize.

As I step into his office, he turns and stares at me.

“Can I undo my hair and have a shower?” I’m still wearing the dress and my brunette hair is pinned in delicate curls at the back of my head.

“Come here.”

I smile as I stroll to him, but gasp when he pulls me to him and presses a kiss on my forehead. His lips have never touched my skin in such a way before.

He holds my arms and stares at me before he wraps his arms around me, holding me close.

I bite down on my lip, wanting to cry as he tenderly holds me for the very first time.

He plants his lips on my head again, this time lingering longer than necessary while taking a deep inhale of my scent.

I swallow. Can he smell me?

“I’ve thought about it long and hard, and I can’t be with you any longer. I need an omega who is mine.”

I stand back, pushing away from him, open-mouthed, slowly shaking my head. “I'm yours.”

“You’re not.”

“Have you found someone else?” My voice raises accusingly.

Garrett sighs, his eyes filled with regret. “No, it’s not about someone else. It’s about … something else.” He hesitates, his fingers nervously fiddling with the pink diamond in his hand.

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