Page 62 of Knot Only His

“Not me,” Harlow declares, leaning closer as if sharing a secret only they can hear. “I like Kai.”

The way she says it makes something shift in the air—an unspoken connection forming around us all. And Parker’s gaze softens as he nods in appreciation at her choice.

“Guess I’m stuck with it then,” he teases lightly.

Asher watches them both closely, his expression shifting between interest and something deeper—something protective lingers behind his dark eyes.

I watch Harlow’s face light up as she remembers her manners. “Oh god, I’m so sorry. This is Freya. She’s an omega.” She emphasizes the last word, her eyes darting between us meaningfully.

My heart sinks.

Here she is, trying to set us up with another omega when she’s the one we want. The one we need.

Freya waves shyly. “Hi. I own a bakery downtown.”

“She makes the best cakes,” Harlow gushes, clearly playing matchmaker. “And she’s single. Very single. Looking for a pack, actually.”

I exchange glances with Asher and Parker. They feel it too—the sting of Harlow pushing someone else our way.

But we're not so easily deterred.

I can’t take my eyes off Harlow, even hours later as Freya dominates the conversation. The omega bakery owner certainly has a natural talent for storytelling. Her hands fly everywhere as she speaks.

“So there I am, covered in flour, and this alpha walks into my shop and he thinks he’s helping me.” Freya snorts, nearly spilling her drink. “He takes one look at me and goes ‘What happened? I can help you clean up.’ His hands are all over me, trying to clean me up and I’m swatting his hands away while trying to tell him I’m meant to be covered in flour!”

“I think you misread the signs. That alpha wanted you,” I tell Freya.

“He did—” Her eyes widened. “He didn’t.”

Harlow throws her head back, laughing, the sound of pure joy. “No wonder you’re single. You need some lessons to read the signals.”

Harlow catches my eye across the table, lifting her glass. I raise mine and lean forward, our drinks clinking together.

Freya groans. “I wonder if he’ll come back.”

“Are you having a nice night?” I ask, leaning closer.

“The best.” Her smile reaches her eyes, making them sparkle. “Freya’s stories alone are worth the price of admission.”

“Oh, but wait, this one was definitely not there for me!” Freya interrupts, practically bouncing in her seat. “Said he was a chef, and he tried to show me how to knead bread properly. Me! I’ve been baking since I could walk!” She dissolves into giggles. “He stood behind me and grabbed the dough like he was trying to strangle it as he pressed me against the counter. That’s not—”

Freya stares at me as I nod my head.

“Oh god! Was that a sign?”

“What did you do to frighten that alpha off?” Harlow asks between laughs.

“I told him my sourdough starter was more cultured than he’d ever be and showed him the door.”

The table erupts in laughter.

Harlow wipes tears from her eyes, her cheeks flushed with happiness. She seems lighter tonight, more relaxed than I’ve ever seen her at work.

Three drinks later, Harlow’s cheeks are flushed pink as she belts out Taylor Swift’s song“Shake It Off”with Freya on the stage. The entire bar has joined in, and I can’t help but smile at her uninhibited joy.

“I go on too many dates!” She throws her arm around Freya, swaying.“But I can’t make ‘em stay.”

“At least that’s what people say, mm-mm!”The crowd echoes."That's what people…"

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