Page 58 of Knot Your Baby

“No, I’m not.” Freya lifts her chin. “I’d rather run up and down six flights of stairs than stare at your miserable face all day.”

“You’re staying.”

I smile. This is going to be interesting.

Chapter 16

Freya

With a groan, Iroll over and pat the bed, my fingers brushing against the cool sheets where Zane should be. But he isn’t home.

For three days, I’ve watched him leave the house, his lips pressing against mine as he promises me he’ll stay safe. Each time, my heart swells with how much he holds me, but each time, I fear for him as the hours drag on.

Despite his brother being a dick, Zane is mine. But as much as I don’t want to lose him, there is a part of me that knows my time here will end soon. Because as much as Zane feels like mine, and Miller is carving a place in my heart with how considerate and caring he is. Meaning, for the first time in my life, I’ve found two of the kindest alphas I know. Each is always ready with a comforting smile, or sometimes a word in Thorne’s ear when he says hurtful things to me.

Thorne is as prickly as his name.

Though, I don’t blame Thorne. Everything he says about me is true. And he knows it with each look of disdain he gives me. Yet, it’s strange, because considering I’ve offered to leave every single day I’ve been here, he is refusing to let me go.

I wonder where Zane is. I check on Stone, ensuring he’s still peacefully asleep, before leaving the bedroom. The sight of him brings a wide smile to my face, and with one last glance at my sleeping child, I head to the living area.

After looking for Zane and not finding him. I turn on the television and sink into the chair, flicking through the news channels to find out if there’s been a disaster needing the fire service somewhere. And my heart races as an awful heaviness settles in my chest.

This is what Thorne does. I get it now. It’s like I’m waiting to see or hear the worst.

I stop flicking the channels when I see a fire roaring through the hills, flames licking the sky as firefighters tackle the blaze.

My heart pounds hard. My fingers clasp the remote as fear grips me because I know Zane is one of those brave souls fighting the fire.

I press my hand on my chest. Despite the lack of a bond, I can feel the worry coursing through me like an electric current. It’s probably mine.

Footsteps sound behind me. “What are you doing up? It is three am.”

“I’m worried about Zane.”

For a moment, I see Thorne’s hardened exterior fracture slightly as he studies me.

“I go through it every day he works,” he finally admits, his voice losing some of its hard edge.

Thorne settles beside me on the couch. I try to remain calm, but his presence is as unsettling as the flickering fire on the screen.

“We’ve just received confirmation that the fire is under control on the north side.” The news anchor’s voice fills the silence between us. The footage shows the firefighters making progress, the flames gradually dying down.

“Why were you at Club Midnight?” he asks suddenly, his voice low and controlled, like he is trying to stop his alpha from doing something stupid in front of his omega.

“To fuck alphas,” I state in a matter-of-fact way.

He growls. “And whose perfume did you spray on to attract my attention?”

I turn to him, confusion furrowing my brow. “What are you talking about? I didn’t spray on anyone’s perfume.” I laugh as realization dawns on me. “You think I used a perfume to catch your attention?”

His jaw tightens, disbelief clear in his sour expression. “Omegas do it all the time at Club Midnight. The competition is massive there. All alphas know they use synthetic scents to overpower their natural ones. Sometimes to stand out. Sometimes to be more appealing to alphas and—and sometimes to take on another omegas scent.”

“And you thinkIwore another omega’s scent?” The accusation stings more than it should.

He nods slowly, his features softening slightly. “It’s fine. I understand why you would feel the need to do it.”

I lean forward, anger beginning to simmer beneath my skin. “Do you still think I’m wearing a false scent?”

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