Page 70 of Knot Only His

“That’s...” My voice cracks. “That’s a lot.”

“I know.” His hand finds mine, squeezing gently. The simple contact sends tingles up my arm, and that familiar scent grows stronger. “But he already adores you, Harlow. And the way you are with him...”

The light turns green, and he focuses back on driving, but keeps hold of my hand.

“I don’t want to disappoint him,” I whisper. My fingers tighten around his hand. “I feel like I’m lying to everyone.”

“You’re not.” Kai takes a turn into a driveway as a sprawling modern house coming into view. Glass and steel stretch across multiple levels, offering panoramic views of Los Angeles below.

He kills the engine but doesn’t let go of my hand. “There’s something else.”

I watch a bird dart between the native flowers lining the path as I try to calm my rapid breathing. “What?”

“We’ve set up a room for you, decorated it.” He runs his thumb over my knuckles. “Bought you some clothes…”

“Why would you do that?”

“The social worker needs to see you’re committed to being here. To Jagger.”

My head spins. “Won’t she think it’s weird I have my own room? If we’re supposed to be together?”

“No.” His voice drops lower. “It’s where your nest is.”

Heat floods my face. “You actually told them I’m an omega?” I wipe sweat from my forehead with my free hand. “Why would you do that?”

“It’s better this way.” His grip tightens slightly. “Packs need omegas. Alphas need omegas.”

“Don’t I fucking know it.” The words come out bitter, thinking of Colton.

“Sorry.”

I let out a long breath, my anger deflating. “It’s fine. I get it.”

“Do you?”

I owe him. He saved me at Club Midnight.

I stare at my hand, still wrapped in his. “Why did you save me from that alpha?”

“Because…” Kai’s jaw tightens. “I felt something. And I shouldn’t have let you leave that night.”

“Why did you?”

“Because someone like you...” He releases my hand, running his fingers through his dark hair. “You deserve better than me. An older alpha raising his dead sister’s kid.”

The raw pain in his voice hits me in the chest. “Kai...”

“I watched you walk away. Thought it was for the best.” His gray eyes meet mine, vulnerable in a way I’ve never seen before. “Then you showed up at work, and I couldn’t believe it. Oliver is convinced—” He stopstalking.

I turn to him and say, "Tell me. I need to know what I'm dealing with."

"He's convinced it's fate that you came here. That you work for the Raiders."

I nod. “Is that why you asked me to help with the social worker?”

“I wanted to explore the possibility.” He shifts in his seat. “But mostly because Jagger lights up around you. And my pack... we need that.”

I inhale sharply, that coconut-pineapple scent flooding my senses again. “I keep smelling things. Different things. Stronger things.”

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