Page 27 of Knot Your Baby

“Everything looks stable, but your omega is five centimeters dilated,” the nurse says, making notes on her tablet. “I’ll arrange your delivery room.”

As soon as the door clicks shut, Freya releases a shaky breath. “Thank you. I can’t believe you’re doing this for me.”

I want to tell her I’m not doing it just for her. I don’t know what it is, but there is something inside me that needs to protect her, to make sure she and her baby are safe. But I stay silent, the words sticking in my throat.

She laughs. “Did I ask for your name?”

“Zane,” I tell her softly. “Zane Stone.”

“That’s a nice name.” She looks down at her hands. Her happy, chatty demeanor suddenly changes. “I’m sorry. I must seem really silly to you, rambling on like an idiot.”

“Don’t.” I touch her chin, lifting her face. “Don’t change who you are for me or anyone else.”

I kneel in front of her wheelchair, my heart pounding. “I’m not good at being an alpha, Freya. But I’ll be here for you.”

She bites her lip, her scent dimming. “It’s okay. I understand this is just for the hospital. Someone like you wouldn’t want someone like me outside of here. I mean, look at me. I’m a mess who got herself pregnant and can’t stop talking and—”

My chest tightens at her words. If only she knew it was me who wasn’t worthy of her. These scars, my damaged body. No omega will love that.

“I have a delivery suite ready for you,” the nurse says as she stands waiting at the door. “Follow me.”

The nurse helps Freya onto the bed, then checks to see how far she’s dilated. “This won’t be long at all,” she says as she adjusts the monitors before leaving us alone.

“When I said I’m not a good alpha, I mean it. I’ll never be enough for an omega.”

“What are you talking about?” She groans as another contraction hits and only when the pain subsides does Freya let out a small laugh. “You saved me from a fire. Then you brought me here. I’m a pregnant omega who is carrying another alpha’s child, and now you’re giving me something I’ve never had.” She swallows. “An alpha, even if it’s not forever and not real. You being here is enough. But it’s fine. You don’t have to make excuses so you don’t hurt me.”

The lost look in her eyes, the vulnerability in her voice, makes my chest ache. It really physically hurts to see her like this. Without thinking, I sit on the bed beside her and pull her into my arms. A purr rumbles through my chest as I hold her close.

“Oh.” She melts against me, her fingers gripping my uniform as she turns to me.

For a moment, we just stare at each other. Her green eyes lock with mine, and something shifts in the air between us.

And despite my external protestations, my inner alpha roars to life, demanding I protect this omega and her unborn child at all costs.

Chapter 8

Freya

Another contraction rips throughme. The pain is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I grip Zane’s hand, probably crushing his fingers.

“Breathe with me,” Zane says, his chest pressed against my back, embracing me. “In through your nose, out through your mouth.”

I try to follow his rhythm, but everything hurts.

His purring vibrates through my body, the sound oddly soothing. I didn’t know alphas could purr like that. Not in a way it feels so calming.

I groan. “I need something to stop the pain.”

“It’s too late, Freya,” the nurse says. “Your baby will be here before it works.”

I whimper as another contraction hits me.

Zane wraps his arms around me, purring into my hair. I slump back against him, tired. “I think your purring is doing the job.”

The pain subsides, and I breathe again.

“I hoped it would work.”His breath is warm against my ear.

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