Page 84 of Knot Only His

Harlow’s face crumples as her mother’s words sink in. “What do you mean, you did what you had to?”

The room goes silent except for the steady beep of the heart monitor. I watch Harlow’s face carefully, seeing questions from behind her eyes as she looks between her mother and Carver.

“The implant.” Her mother’s voice wavers. “It was done when you were fourteen. I wanted you implanted before your omega symptoms started. And you and Bardot both wanted piercings for your birthdays.” Her mom swallows. “It was perfect.”

Harlow gasps and her scent spikes with distress, and although my alpha instincts surge, I grip the bed rail to keep from reaching for her.

“You…drugged me?” Her voice cracks.

Her mom shakes her head, and her chin trembles. “I never drugged you. I never needed to. The clamp was enough pain relief.”

“But why?” She starts panting, her body temperature rising visibly as her skin flushes. Her omega nature showing as emotions overwhelm her.

Asher moves forward with a cool cloth, but Carver beats him to it, pressing a damp cloth against her forehead.

Her mother collapses into the chair, tears streaming down her face.

“My mother...she was claimed by a pack. And not willingly.” She takes a shuddering breath. “I couldn’t let that happen to my daughters. I couldn’t let any of my children feel what I felt growing up.”

“Mom...” Harlow’s anger melts into horror.

“You’re going to be in trouble if you admit it,” Bardot whispers. “The DRA will—”

“They won’t touch her.” Carver’s voice is steel. “We’ll handle it.”

As her sister’s distress peaks, Bardot’s scent shifts, becoming sweeter.

Interesting.

“Mom,” Bardot’s voice shakes as she stares at her mother. “You said daughters. But Grace was a beta. She presented late, but she was a genuine beta.”

Their mother swallows hard, guilt etched across her face. She’s silent for a moment.

“Mom—” Harlow murmurs. “You said daughters. I have a piercing.”

Their mom sighs as she turns back to Bardot. “You’re an omega too, Bardot.”

The room goes dead silent.

I watch Bardot’s face drain of color as she processes this bombshell. And then she crumples, her legs giving out.

Colton catches her before she hits the floor, her body trembling against his.

“I was always jealous of omegas.” Tears roll down her cheeks as Colton helps her stand again. “The way they could just…feel. Everything seemed so intense for them.” Bardot hiccups. “And now you’re telling me I am one?”

Her fingers clutch Colton’s shirt as she steadies herself.

I pick up a char and take it to her. “Sit down.”

“Where’s my implant?” Bardot’s voice cracks as she wipes her eyes, her body still shaking as she touches the top of her ear and the stud there.

Their mother’s face is drawn with guilt. “Your belly button ring is your implant.”

Bardot’s hand flies to her navel, fingers fumbling with the small silver hoop. Her breathing quickens as she tries to remove it.

“Not here.” Their mother grabs her hands. “We’ll need to monitor you to make sure you don’t react the same way as Harlow. Please wait.”

“I suspect she reacted because of me,” Carver says, his thumb stroking Harlow’s knuckles.

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