Page 59 of Knot Your Baby

“I can only smell strawberries on you.”

“Because I’m using inhibitors.”

“Why?”

A breaking news alert flashes across the screen. The ticker reads.

The fire is finally under control on all sides.

Relief floods through me about Zane, but my anger at Thorne keeps building.

“Because until I met Zane, I never wanted anything but a baby. I spent my early twenties being desperate for a pack—an alpha.” My voice trembles as I meet his gaze. He knows he is that alpha, so I give him what he needs to hear. “Maybe I was desperate for you,” I admit, just saying the words taste bitter on my tongue. “But not anymore, Thorne. I never knew your name, by the way. I never stalked you outside of Club Midnight. I wasn’t that desperate for you. And just so you know, I never came here for you. I came here for Zane. You’ll never be the alpha your brother is.” I smile. “And I like Miller, too. And only when I feel safe will I come off my scent inhibitors and let them smell me properly.”

And you, too.But I keep that to myself.

A low growl rumbles in his chest, but I lift my chin defiantly.

I’ve never felt so empowered in my life. I’ve always felt inferior, insecure and put on by everyone before. But never again.

“You think I fear you? But I don’t. I pity you. You think so fucking much of yourself that you think I sought Zane to get to you, don’t you?”

His response is immediate, assured. “You did.”

“You’re pathetic—”

Stone’s cry pierces the air just as I’m about to tear into Thorne.

“Excuse me while I tend to my son.” I push off the couch, leaving Thorne to stew in his arrogance.

In the bedroom, I scoop up Stone, his tiny face red from crying. “Shh, baby. Mommy’s here.” His cries soften as I cradle him close.

When I return to the living room, Thorne hasn’t moved as I expected him to. I thought he would have disappeared to his room, but his presence fills the space, and the air feels charged, like an incoming cyclone.

I settle into the armchair, wrapping a soft blanket around myself and Stone.

Thorne’s gaze follows my movements. “The father will come looking for his child, eventually.”

Stone latches onto my breast to feed.

I meet his stare head-on. “He’ll never find out.”

“Why not? Why don’t you try to find him? Omegas are rare. He’ll take you and the baby in without a second thought.”

“Would you?”

His jaw tightens as he considers. “I wouldn’t be so stupid.”

Laughter bubbles up from my chest. “No? Are you far too careful to do that?”

He narrows his eyes, studying me. “Have we met before Club Midnight?”

Our eyes lock. “You tell me.”

A growl rumbles in his chest. “You’re being bratty.”

“You bring it out of me.” I hold my son against my chest. “Must be your sparkling personality.”

“Most omegas don’t speak to me this way.”

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