Page 5 of Knot Only His

“I’m going home with Carver. Don’t drive. It’s too late and too far. I’ll come home tomorrow.”

“I’m going to call Carver.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Stop saying that. I’ve never heard you sound like this ever before. I’ll talk to you in a couple of minutes.” She ends the call, and moments later my thumb hovers over my friend Holly’s number. She picks up on the first ring.

“Hey stranger, I was just thinking about—”

“Holly.” The word comes out as a sob.

“What happened?” Her tone shifts immediately.

“Colton. He’s...” I can’t finish the sentence.

“Oh no.” She pauses, already knowing what has played out.

She warned me.

Told me eventually all alphas will crave an omega. She never told me to hurt me but to let me know that even I, as an alpha, would want an omega in the end.

I never believed her.

“Yes. You were right. I should have seen the signs.”

“I’m sorry.” She sighs. “But if you need to get away from here, you know I have a contact inside the LA Raiders. They’d jump at hiring someone with your expertise in the game. It’ll tide you over until you find a talent scouting gig.”

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. “LA? I can’t leave my mom and sisters.”

“It doesn’t have to be forever. Just enough time for you to move on. I went there to get away from Aiden. It’s as far from New York as you need to be...” She takes a breath. “Look, I know this may seem that I’m talkingout of turn, but I think you’ve been unhappy for months. Maybe this is your sign to make a change.”

“I can’t just leave everything.” I don’t answer about my happiness. I’m not sure how happy Colton and I have been for five months. But it was five months ago he changed from a loving boyfriend to a party animal. And that isn’t me.

“Why not? What’s keeping you in New York? What keeps you in the job? A boyfriend who doesn’t appreciate you? A boss who undermines you?”

The truth in her words hit me so hard I press my forehead against my knees, letting the tears fall freely now.

“Think about it,” Holly says. “The offer’s there if you want it. You deserve better than this, Harlow.”

“I’ll let you know after I sleep on it.”

“Don’t fall for his lies, Harlow. If you think you saw something, then don’t let him change that.”

“I won’t,” I whisper. “Thanks Holly.”

“No problem. I’ll call my contact and ask more about the job and tell them what you know. Call me tomorrow. Look after yourself, Harlow,” she says before disconnecting.

I sit on the floor with my head on my knees for a moment longer before dragging myself to my feet.

The door opens with a creak.

I wait for footsteps, instead I hear Carver shouting, “Are you okay, Harlow?”

“I’m okay,” I tell him, my voice mechanical. “Just needed the bathroom.”

When I emerge, Carver leans against the sink, arms crossed over his chest. His blue eyes scan my face, taking in the flushed face and red-rimmed eyes, no doubt.

“I’m taking you home.” His tone leaves no room for argument, and I don’t. I nod, unable to form words.

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