Page 8 of Knot Only His

As I watch him go, my body trembles.

His door slams shut. The sound echoes through the apartment like a gunshot, the invisible powder covering me like a cold sheet.

I wrap my arms around my body as my legs give out and I slide down the wall as his words replay in my mind.

You’re lying to yourself.

I’ve known since we were kids.

He is so fucking wrong.

I push off the floor, anger now replacing the shock as my feet carry me to his door. I throw it open without knocking.

Carver lies on his bed, one arm behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He doesn’t even flinch at my entrance.

“If what you’re saying is true, how come you know yet Colton doesn’t?” The words burst out of me. “He’s dated me for years. He would have noticed.”

Carver’s eyes slide to mine. All I see is pain in their depths. “There’s only one reason I’d be able to tell when no one else can.”

“What reason?”

He sits up slowly, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. “Scent matching.”

My heart stops. “What?”

“We’re fated mates, Harlow.”

The room spins. I grip the doorframe to steady myself. “That’s impossible.”

“Is it?” he challenges.

I curl my fingers against my palms and yell, “We fucking live together, Carver! You wouldn’t be able to resist me. There is no way that is true.”

“That’s why I’m here.” His chest rises and falls and his blue eyes look pained as he stares at me. “Why I chose to live with you and Colton, waiting.”

Waiting.

“And if I did magically present? What would you have done?” My voice lowers again as I wonder if presenting as an omega could actually happen.

Do I want it to?

“What I had to do. You’re mine, Harlow.”

“You’ve thought about it all this time?” My voice cracks. “Years of watching me date your brother and you never said a word to me, apart from making jokes about me not being an alpha.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “What was I supposed to say? ‘Hey, I know you think you’re an alpha, but you’re actually my scented mate, omega.’”

The reality of what he’s saying crashes over me. I shake my head, backing away. “No. No, this isn’t right. If we were fated mates, I’d smell you, too.”

“I don’t know why you can’t.” He stands, taking a step toward me. “But I think it has something to do with whatever is blocking your omega nature.”

“There’s nothing blocking anything because I’m not an omega.”

He sighs.

“You must be mistaken.” I pace in front of him. “Maybe you’re confusing me with someone else.”

Carver’s hands curl into fists. “For fuck’s sake, Harlow. I know your scent better than I know my name. I’ve spent years breathing you in, memorizing every note, every subtle change.”

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