Page 104 of Knot a Thief

Finally, I can’t hold back anymore. “The woman I fell in love with—”

“Is gone,” she interrupts, her voice hard. “And you’ve changed too. The sweet, understanding Seb I knew wouldn’t push me like this.”

Her words are hurtful, but true.

We stare at each other, the distance between us suddenly insurmountable.

“Where do we go from here?” I ask.

Ava turns back to stare at the sea, her voice hollow as she replies, “I don’t know, Seb. I just don’t know.”

The next day, we’re at the clinic with the doctor checking Ava’s vital statistics when he asks an onslaught of questions.

“And is there a chance you could be pregnant?” he asks next. His pen hovering over the paperwork as my stomach furls with an emotion I don’t want to admit to having.

“I am,” Ava whispers.

“Oh. Then I’m sorry,” the doctor says with a sigh, “but we can’t neutralize the claiming bond until after the baby is born. It could disrupt the bond between the baby and the father.”

“Just do it,” I growl at the doctor, frustration boiling over. “I’ll be the baby’s father.”

“Thank you.” Ava places a hand on my arm. “But I can’t do that to the baby, Seb, or Max.”

Her words cut deep, and my hope quickly turns to despair. I want to be there for her, and to be the baby’s father, but this constant reminder of her bond with Max is tearing me apart.

“She can’t. It’s also illegal,” the doctor adds, finalizing the argument. “Come back once the baby is born.”

Outside the clinic, I can’t hold back my anger any longer. “How are we supposed to move forward like this, Ava? Every day, you’re in pain because of him. You’re having his baby and—”

Ava’s eyes fill with tears. “I don’t know, Seb. I just don't know.”

“We could move away. To the US, or the Caribbean. Far enough to not feel the bond. At least until the baby is here. He’ll never know.”

Her eyes are downcast as she whispers, “Or maybe we need some time apart.”

“Time apart? Ava, no!” Her words hit me like I’ve been punched in the chest. “We can figure this out together.”

She shakes her head. “I need to sort through my feelings, Seb. And you ... you need to decide if you can really accept this situation. The baby, the bond, all of it.”

I reach for her hand, but she pulls away. “Please, don’t do this,” I beg.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “But I think it’s for the best. For now.”

“I love you, Ava. Please!”

“And I love you, but it’s not just me now.” Her hand instinctively goes to her stomach. “And I need some time to work out how I feel. About the baby ... about Lily.” She holds her hand against her heart. “I love her, Seb. I miss her so much.”

I know it’s the two alphas too, but she doesn’t want to hurt my feelings anymore than she already has.

Unshed tears coat her eyes and I just know I’m going to lose her if I don’t give her some time.

“I’m going to use the time away from everyone to deal with my past. Maybe it’s the only way I can go forward with my future.”

She turns and I watch her walk away, feeling like my world is collapsing all over again.

Chapter 31

Ava

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