With that, I stride out of the clinic, my steps purposeful as I make my way to Harlow’s office. I pause outside the door, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. This could change everything for our pack, and I need to approach it with care.
Knocking lightly, I push the door open and step inside, my gaze immediately finding Harlow’s. “We need to talk.”
My stomach knots.
This isn’t just about pack dynamics anymore. Or her belonging to our pack. She's our omega but I also can’t risk losing Jagger. Not after everything we’ve been through.
Even if I have to lie.
“Talk? Okay,” she says, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of tension.
I step into Harlow’s office, shutting the door with a soft click behind me.
Her gaze flits up from her desk, the look of surprise is endearing.
I take a seat across from her, the weight of this conversation is already pressing down on me. I know how much my pack wants this, I do too, but there’s more at stake for me.
“So, you and Carver,” I start, gauging her reaction. The way her cheeks flush crimson tells me everything I need to know.
“We’re friends…” She straightens in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest, protectively. “And I’m his agent for his new contract with the team. We just went out for lunch to discuss it.”
I swallow hard, the knot in my stomach tightening at the lie hanging in the air between us. “I heard.”
I take a moment to steady myself. This isn’t about Carver’s feelings for her; it’s about Jagger—my nephew. It's about my pack.
“But I have a favor to ask you.”
Her eyebrows furrow. “Okay.”
“I have a problem. A really big problem. And I need your help.” My heart races.
“My help?” She bites her lip, waiting for me to continue.
“You remember Jagger? My nephew?”
“Of course.”
My chest tightens further as I recall how effortlessly she connected with him, and he hasn’t stopped talking about her since.
“Jagger took to you straight away,” I admit. “He’s never been so chatty with anyone before now.” The thought of him struggling to find his voice again makes my stomach churn.
“Aw, that’s nice.”
“Yes.” I take a deep breath, my pulse racing like a runner, preparing for the final push to the finish line. “And… And I wondered if you’d pretend to belong to our pack.”
Her eyes widen as she processes my words. “Me?” Disbelief is etched on her face.
Harlow remains staring at me, shock radiating off her in waves. Her mouth opens and closes as if she’s searching for the words that won’t come.
“Why would you want me? Can’t you ask the nanny?” Her voice is so gentle, it’s barely a whisper now. I hear the disbelief in her tone. Actually, not only in her tone, but it’s written all over her features.
“She’s married, and you’re…” I say carefully, wondering how far I can push this idea without scaring her off entirely. “You’re perfect.”
She leans back in her chair, processing what I’ve just laid on the table between us. The silence stretches like a taut wire, ready to snap at any moment.
“So you want me to pretend to belong to your pack so...”
“Because I need to keep my nephew. I’ve had custody of my sister’s son since her death, and now his biological father wants him back.”