Page 105 of Knot Only His

“Why?” The word catches in my throat.

“So I don’t smell my alpha. It would be typical of my luck for him to appear then.” Her voice cracks. “And imagine he still doesn’t want me. I couldn’t handle that rejection. I’ve felt it once before.”

“You have? You found a scent match?”

She nods. Tears in her eyes. “He never wanted me. He was obsessed with another omega.” She sighs. “I was so hurt…embarrassed…” She blows out a deep breath.

“There could be another one out there.”

She smiles. “I’ve given up, Harlow.”

My heart breaks for her. The way she’s so convinced she’ll never find her pack makes my chest ache.

She turns to me, her eyes glistening. “You had one follow you from New York because he knew he was yours, despite not revealing your true designation to him. Then three more find you while you’re here. Some of us are not that lucky. I’m twenty-seven years old, and never had one alpha desperate to be with me.”

I stand up and wrap my arms around her. She’s trembling, and I hold her tighter. “Listen to me. You are going to be the most beautiful mother and fuck alphas. They don’t deserve you.”

She lets out a wet laugh against my shoulder. “You think?”

“I know.” I pull back, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Any alpha would be lucky to have you. And if they can’t see that, then they’re idiots who don’t deserve your time. And the baby you are going to have will be the most cherished baby in the land. Not only from you, but from me. I’ll be the best auntie.”

Chapter 26

Carver

The ice beneath my skates feels different here in LA. Harder. Colder. Or maybe it’s just Oliver’s death glares making everything feel more intense.

“Left wing, Bradley!” Coach Parker’s voice echoes across the rink. “Stop showboating and pass the damn puck!”

Oliver flips me off as he skates past, but there’s a smirk playing on his lips. He knows what he’s doing. He’s trying to prove he’s still the top dog, even with me here.

The puck slides between us, and I snatch it before he can react.

“Fuck you, Sinclair!” He slams into my side, but I hold my ground.

The familiar coconut scent of my sweat mingles with the sharp bite of ice as I drive toward the goal.

My stick connects, sending the puck flying past Martin’s glove.

“That’s how it’s done,” I call over my shoulder.

Coach Parker’s whistle pierces the air. “Reynolds! Get your head out of your ass and watch your defense!” His voice carries that edge it’s had since Mrs. Jenkins showed up yesterday. “You’re leaving holes big enough to drive a truck through!”

Reynolds, a rookie, shrinks under Parker’s intensity. We all know this isn’t really about hockey. The custody battle for Jagger has everyone on edge, especially Parker.

“Take ten, everyone while I make a call,” Coach yells.

Oliver circles back, spraying ice as he stops beside me. “You may have followed your omega here. And we may allow you into our pack, but this is still my team.”

“Our team,” I correct him, watching Parker storm off the ice toward his office. “And right now, we need to focus on being a team. For Parker. For Jagger.”

“Since when did you become such a team player?” Oliver raises an eyebrow.

“Since I found my pack.” The words come out before I can stop them, and Oliver’s expression shifts from antagonistic to something more complex.

He nods once, then skates away, leaving me to wonder if maybe we’re all finally figuring this out.

Ten minutes later, I’m still leaning against the boards, watching the rookies run drills. Oliver now stands next to me, his usual cockiness replaced by genuine concern as he talks about Harlow.

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