Page 30 of Knot Your Baby

“Oh.” He sounds almost disappointed.

“Or would you like me to call him Zane?”

A smile spreads across his face. “Stone is perfect.”

I can’t stop staring at my perfect little boy, but anxiety creeps in.

How am I going to do this alone?

I have a home but the bakery’s up in literal smoke, and my savings won’t last forever. And now there’s this tiny human depending on me for everything.

I refuse to beg for my mother’s help.

My lip trembles and I try to blink back tears.Stupid hormones.

“Hey.” Zane’s voice is soft. “What’s wrong?”

“I just... I don’t know how to be a mom. What if I mess everything up?”

“You’ll be perfect.” He shifts Stone to one arm and cups my cheek with his free hand. “You’re already perfect.”

Before I can process what’s happening, he leans in and presses his lips to mine in a gentle kiss. “Well done,” he whispers against my mouth.

I stare at him, my heart racing. No alpha has ever kissed me like that. Like he wanted to do it. Like I’m precious. “What was that for?”

“I don’t know.” His thumb traces my bottom lip.

We gaze at each other, the air thick with possibility.

“I’ve never been kissed for no reason before.”

He tilts his head to one side. “What do you mean?”

“Only during sex.”

The door swings open, and we jump apart. The nurse bustles in, waving papers. “Here’s your account.”

As I scan the numbers, my eyes bulge. “Oh my god. I should’ve had this baby at home.”

Zane chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest where Stone sleeps peacefully.

“It’s already settled, lovely. This is just for your records.”

“What?” I turn to Zane. “I can pay you back.”

“You can pay me back in cakes and cookies.”

I smile. “Deal.” It looks like I might see him again. “Can I go home now?” I ask the nurse. “I really need my bed.”

“As soon as the doctor signs off on you and the baby.”

I fight to keep my eyes open as Zane drives my car through the late afternoon traffic. Every few seconds, I catch him watching me in the rearview mirror.

“Get some sleep, Freya. We’ll be home soon.”

“I can’t.” My gaze drifts between Zane’s strong profile and my sleeping baby in his car seat. Now I’m glad I kept it ready in the trunk for months.

At my apartment, Zane guides me to the couch while he makes coffee. The kitchen cabinets open and close as he searches.

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