Page 159 of Knot Unwanted: Part One

Of everything. Of how much I want you. Of how right it felt when you kissed me. Of your alphas and their strange reactions. Of this heat building under my skin. Of wanting things I shouldn’t want.

I have to fix this.

I must find a way.

“Promise you won’t hate me?” The words come out small, scared.

“Never,” he says instantly. “I could never hate you. Please, sweetheart. Let me in.”

The lock clicks open under my shaking fingers. And as Finn rushes in, gathering me into his arms, I know I will do anything, ANYTHING, to make this right. Because he needs his alphas, too. Even if he’s so convinced they’re no longer his, and that they’re mine.

Chapter 39

Finn

Hailey’s trembling in my arms, her honey-sweet scent thick with distress and something deeper, headier. Every breath she takes presses her back against my chest, the innocent movement making my cock throb painfully. Pre-heat pheromones. The omega in me wants to present, to beg, to submit, but I can’t. Not yet. Not when she needs me to be strong. Her body’s preparing for her first heat, and she’s completely unprepared, traumatized, and terrified. And down the hall…

Another thump echoes through the walls. Stone. I can hear his labored breathing, the low growls he’s trying to suppress. Her scent must be driving him wild. It’s affecting me, too, which makes no sense. I shouldn’t be responding like this, but I’ve already been down this road. With Hailey, my responses make no sense at all.

“Shh,” I murmur, running my hands soothingly down her arms. She’s burning up, skin feverish under my touch. “Let me soothe you, sunshine.”

“It hurts,” she whimpers, pressing closer. “Everything feels wrong.”

“I know, darling. First heats are intense. Even pre-heat tremorscan bring you to your knees.” I keep my voice soft, steady, though my own heart is racing. “Let’s get you more comfortable, okay?”

She nods against my chest, another wave of those intoxicating pheromones rolling off her. I have to bite downhardon my lip as a wave of need surges through me. Down the hall, something crashes. Stone must be losing his mind. I should feel guilty about that, but right now, all I can focus on is the omega shaking in my arms.

“Can you stand?” I ask gently. When she nods, I help her up, supporting most of her weight. “Good girl. Let’s get you into the tub. Cool water will help with the fever.”

The praise makes her shiver, her pupils dilating. Interesting. Filing that away for later, I guide her toward the large soaking tub.

Just as we reach the tub, another crash from down the hall makes her jump. Her scent spikes with fear and arousal—a potent combination that has me fighting back a groan. I shouldn’t be affected like this. This isn’t fucking normal.

But I’ve never been fucking normal.

“What was that?” she whispers, pressing closer to me.

“Stone,” I admit softly. No point lying to her. “Your scent…it’s affecting him, too.”

She tries to pull away, panic flooding her scent. “Oh, no…”

“Hey.” I hold her closer, refusing to let her retreat into shame. “This is natural, remember? Your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.”

Down the hall, I hear what sounds like Stone pacing. His growl vibrates through the house—pure alpha frustration. I know that sound. I’ve heard it before, usually followed by him pinning me down while I mewl beneath him, just waiting for his thick cock to pierce my clenching tightness.

I should be jealous.

Why am I not jealous?

Hailey whimpers, her hips shifting restlessly against me. The movement sends another wave of her scent washing over me—honey and vanilla and omega need. My body responds like a fucking traitor, a warmth building low in my belly that shouldn’t be there.

“Cool water will help with the fever,” I explain again, reaching around her to start the tap. “And I have some toys that can help take the edge off until?—”

“Toys?” She looks confused, then horrified as understanding dawns. “Oh! No, I couldn’t…I’ve never…”

“Shh.” I stroke her hair back from her feverish face. “We’ll take it slow. Nothing you don’t want. But you need relief, sunshine. This isn’t going to get better on its own.”

Another crash from down the hall, followed by Stone’s voice—rough and desperate: “Finn! Hurry up and do it before I—” The rest is lost in a growl that makes Hailey’s knees buckle.

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