Page 102 of Knot a Thief

But I’m not a beta. I am an omega, but there is one thing for sure I know about myself—I’m a thief. Yet despite my love of money, jewels, and expensive things that make me feel good, but I’m not for sale and neither is my baby. And for that reason, I’m handing you back the ‘Circle of Life’, your red diamond.

Take care, I’ll let you know when our baby is here, and if you find it in your heart, please bring Lily for a visit. I wish I could’ve taken her with me, but stealing a child is too much, I’m not that kind of thief.

Love Ava.

My lungs seize and a sharp intake of breath flees me as my knees collide with the hard floor.

She's rejected me again.

Chapter 30

Seb

I can’t stop staring at Ava as she sits on the deck of the boat, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Just like she’s done for the past two days since we arrived on the Italian Amalfi Coast.

It’s clear she’s hurting, and I know it’s because she’s away from her bonded mate.

I just wish she’d talk to me. The sight of her in pain tears at my heart, not out of jealousy, but out of fear that she’ll leave me.

“Ava, please,” I plead as I watch her press her hand over her chest again, wincing in pain, but it’s the way she seems on edge that I’m afraid of.

Maybe I’m mistaken. Is she worried Max will work out where she is?

I’d already thought of that and why I took the boat to the Amalfi Coast and then flew by private jet to rescue her.

Then I used a fake passport and had one made for Ava. So there’s no trace of our journey to Italy. Not that Ava believes Max won’t come looking for her.

“He’s in pain,” she whimpers.

“He shouldn’t have claimed you. This is his punishment.” I hold her in my arms tighter than ever, terrified of losing her. “But we need to do something about this. I can’t stand seeing you in pain any longer.”

Groaning, she reaches into her bag and pulls out a leaflet, handing it to me. “I got this. It’s about neutralizing the claiming bond.”

I take the leaflet, hope blooms in my chest as I read it. “This could work?”

Ava nods. “I hope so.” Her eyes are full of longing as I take my cell and call the clinic.

I take a deep breath as my call is picked up and say, “Can I make an appointment?”

“What happened on the island?” I ask later that day.

She’s been too quiet since I got her back, and I’m scared to hear she’s missing them. “You’re different." I sigh. "I don’t know what it is, but you’re not my Ava.”

“It’s just the bond.”

I shake my head. “It’s more than that.”

She twists to me. Eyes brimming with unshed tears. “I’m scared to tell you.”

There’s a thud in my head, thinking the worst. “I’m here for you. I’ve always been there for you.”

“You might not want me anymore.”

My heart aches at her words. “Of course I will. But I can see you’re hurting, and I need to understand what you’re going through.”

Ava takes a deep breath. “I’ve changed, Seb. They’ve—" She sucks back a sob. "They’ve altered how I feel. How I see things.” She takes another deep breath.

“Once the bond is neutralized, it’ll go away,” I tell her.

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