Page 7 of Knot Only His

He takes a step closer, towering over me. His blue eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch.

“You know exactly what I mean.”

“No, I don’t.” My voice shakes. “You can’t just say cryptic shit like that and expect me to read your mind.”

“Can’t I?” His lips curve into a knowing smile, making my stomach flip. “You’ve been doing it to me for years.”

I narrow my eyes as I think about that. “I do not.”

“Telling me you need me around, but you don’t know why.”

“That’s different.” I walk backward until I hit the wall. “You’re Colton’s brother. We always talk.”

“I’m more than that. We’re more than that. We understand each other.”

I sigh. “We’re best friends.” I hate to say out loud, but I’ve been best friends with Carver and not Colton for years. “And we understand each other."

“Friends.” He practically spits the word. “Is that what you tell yourself when you catch my eye across the room? Or when you lean into my touch? When you seek me out. And when you smell like—”

My palm presses against his chest, but I can’t tell if I’m pushing him away or holding him in place. “Smell like what?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

I tilt my head to one side and consider him. “Yes, it does.”

“All that matters is you’re lying to yourself.” Carver’s breath fans across my face. “I’ve known since the day we met. I’ve known since we were kids.”

“Know what?” My heart pounds against my ribs.

“That you were going to present as an omega.” He sighs. “One day…”

“How many times, Carver?” I shove him back. Hard. “I’m an alpha.”

“Bullshit.” He crowds me against the wall again. “You think I can’t sense it? Smell you? That delicate scent you try so hard to mask with those expensive perfumes?”

“You’re mistaken. It is my perfume.”

“Am I?” His fingers brush my neck, right over my pulse point. “Your heart is racing. Your pupils are blown wide. And your scent...” He inhales deeply. “God, your scent gets stronger when you’re worked up like this.”

I slap his hand away. “Stop it. I’m an alpha. I’ve always been an alpha. The scent is just perfume.”

“It’s your omega scent,” he argues. “Don’t you ever think it was strange that your sister Grace suddenly presented as an omega when she was in her twenties?”

“No.”

I do, but now isn’t the time to talk about that.

Carver’s head tilts back, and he glances at the ceiling. He sighs. “Well, I’ve thought non-stop about it since it happened. I’m waiting because you’re not an alpha, just like Grace wasn’t a beta, and—”

“Shut up.” My voice cracks. “You knownothing.”

“I know everything about you.” His voice drops lower, rougher. “I know how you fuss over everyone around you. How you’d rather nurture than dominate. How you—”

“Even if I was, I can’t be yours.” The words hurt as they tear from my throat.

Carver steps back, running a hand through his dark hair. His jaw works like he’s biting back more words.

Finally, he turns and stalks toward his room.

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