Page 113 of Knot a Thief

I shake my head. “Never that.” I take a step closer, my hands open in a gesture of surrender. “I’ve been an idiot. A controlling, possessive idiot who did everything wrong but so right at the same time.”

“What was right?” She uncrosses her arms from her chest to slam them on her hips as she tilts her head to one side, waiting.

“I made the right call to keep you safe with Garrett. He’s a decent man, and I trusted him to protect you.” I sigh when she gives me an arch of her eyebrow. “Look, I was scared of losing you and I accept my actions meant I ended up pushing you away when I should have spoken to you. I should have spoken to you about what you wanted. What you needed.”

Ava’s expression softens slightly, but she remains guarded. I press on, letting my walls down completely.

“I love you, Ava.” I swallow as she makes a weak gasp. “And not just as my scent match or the mother of my child, but as you. I've loved you from afar. I love your strength, your fire, and your independence. And I accept these are the things I've tried to smother, but now I know these are what make me love you even more.” I take a deep breath.

She remains silent.

I sink down to my knees, looking up at her. “I’ll do anything, Ava. Anything to make this right. If you want to leave without me, I won’t stop you. I’ll make sure your visa is cleared right now. But if you want to be with me, I'll give you anything in the world. Anything money will buy. I’ll name stars after you or I'll send you there. I know I can’t make you love me yet it's the only thing I hope for.”

“And Silas and Seb?” she questions.

I nod. “I know how much Seb means to you, and that Silas is your scent match. I also know how much you love Lily.”

Her throat makes a strangled sound, tears spring in her eyes. “Oh God, I miss her so much.”

I rush off my knees and hold her. “She’s yours. Silas wants you to have access to Lily regardless of your choice.”

“He does? He’ll do that?”

“He wants to see you both happy.” I nod. “But if you choose us, Ava, I promise to do better. To listen, to respect your choices, to be the alpha you deserve.”

Tears are forming in my eyes, but I don’t hide them. “I want to be there for you and our baby, but on your terms. I want to earn your trust back, to show you I can change, that I can be the man and the alpha you need me to be.”

I reach for her hand, half expecting her to pull away, but she doesn’t. “Please, Ava. Give me one more chance. Not for the baby, not because I’m your alpha, or because of the bond we share, but because you want us. I promise I’ll spend every day proving to you I can be better, that we can build something real together.”

“Would all passengers departing Boston for Rome, Italy, please make your way to gate number twenty-three,” a female voice over the speaker system says.

Ava’s eyes glance at the window behind me, then at me.

I slide her passport from my pocket and hand it to her. Our fingers touch as she reaches out for it.

“Please.” My voice drops to a whisper, filled with all the love and regret I feel. “I’m begging you, Ava. Don’t go yet. I’ll take you back to Italy, so you can think about us a little longer.”

She laughs. “Can I trust you?”

My stomach drops and I don’t realize, until her palm touches mine, that I’m sending sadness through the bond. “I’m sorry, and I deserved that. Please believe me when I tell you, I’ll never hurt you ever again. Let me show you how much you mean to me, how much I respect and adore you. No more games, no more control. Just us, figuring this out together.”

She walks to the window, putting some distance between us.

I fall silent, squeezing the bridge of my nose between my thumb and middle finger as my heart pounds, waiting for her response.

I’ve laid everything bare, stripped away all pretense. And now, I’m completely vulnerable before her, offering her the power to make us—or break us. Yet knowing whatever she decides, one thing is for certain: I’ll never take her for granted again.

She opens her passport and glances at the Omega Movement Visa. “Do you own it?”

I nod.

“You gave me all that freedom. Years and years’ worth before you came for me.”

“I had to. You weren’t ready for me.”

I fall silent, my heart pounding as I wait for her response.

Ava’s eyes search mine, and I can see the conflict within her. “Max,” she begins, her voice soft as she says, “I didn’t reject you. I knew nothing about you and the deal until I read it on Walker’s laptop and then Walker confirmed it, telling me how much you wanted me.”

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