Page 99 of Knot Only His

The warmth spreads through me like wildfire as the kiss deepens, each second stretching into an eternity, but then I gently pull away. “Not now.”

“Okay.” She looks so disappointed as confusion clouds those beautiful eyes as she searches for answers in my face. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

She nods as she presses her hand on her forehead. “Can you take me to visit Freya? I need…normal right now. I can get a cab if you’re busy.”

I hold out my hand. “Come on.”

Minutes later, I watch Harlow fidget with her seatbelt as we pull away from the house and drive through the winding hills, stealing glances at her profile. “Want to talk about it? The thing that’s making you doubt everything one minute and want everything the next.”

“Not really.” She manages a thin smile. “Just drive?”

Downtown LA materializes around us as gleaming buildings catch the afternoon sun, and palm trees sway in the afternoon breeze.

The traffic crawls as we pass expensive boutiques and then we hit downtown and Freya’s bakery comes into sight; its cheerful blue awning a splash of color against dull brick.

I pull into a spot, debating whether to wait in the car. But something in Harlow’s posture—the slight hesitation as she unbuckles and casts me a glance—makes me follow her inside.

The bell chimes and Freya’s copper ponytail bounces as she practically vaults over the counter. “Harlow! Oh my god!” She crushes her in a hug, then spots me. “And who’s this gorgeous specimen?”

“Freya...” Harlow warns, but there’s fondness in her voice. “You’ve already met Asher.”

“Oh yes? He’s still gorgeous.” Freya winks at me as picks up the coffee pot and pours out two coffees. “So, spill everything. Includingwhether that article about the omega with the implant was about you?”

Harlow’s shoulders tense. “Yeah, that was me.”

“I knew it!” Freya slides the coffee across the counter. “I mean, I always knew you were an omega. Your energy differs totally from alphas.”

“What do you mean you knew?” Harlow leans forward.

“Honey, you have the classic omega nurturing instinct.” Freya grins. “Plus, you organized my bookcase by color, coordinating the books when you were stressed. No alpha I know does that.”

We are onto our second coffee and I watch Harlow’s fingers trace the rim of her coffee cup, her turquoise eyes darting my way every few seconds.

The anxiety in her scent makes my throat tight.

A customer leaves the bakery and Freya practically vibrates with excitement as she comes to the table.

“So, four alphas? That’s like a dream. You are God's chosen one.” She pulls out her phone, tapping the screen. “Hopefully, I find the same luck. My heat is coming up next week according to my calendar.”

Harlow stiffens. “You track your cycle?”

“Of course! I’m not going into heat without knowing how I’m going to deal with it. I’m booked into the Omega Wellness Center.” Freya holds her hand over her mouth as she leans in. “I’m thinking about getting my birth control removed, too.”

“You’re single,” Harlow whispers.

“And Iwill be forever…” Freya’s voice has a lot of resignation in it, but there’s some hope there, too.

Harlow glances at me. I smile in return.

“We don’t all get our ‘happy ever after,’” Freya says. Her pointer and middle fingers curling in the air. “And I can afford a baby…” Freya keeps talking, but all I see is Harlow.

She’s retreating into herself, shoulders hunched, scent going flat.

I pull out my phone, stepping away to call Parker.

“What?” His voice is clipped.

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