Page 66 of Knot Your Baby

“Then why keep taking them?”

Her eyes lock onto mine. “I don’t want Stone’s father smelling me.”

I tilt my head, considering that. “Wouldn’t you like your baby’s daddy to be in his life?”

I don’t want him to be either, but it’s a surprise to hear an omega admit that.

“Oh, absolutely, but he doesn’t want to be—” Her eyes widen, and she abruptly cuts herself off, a flash of panic crossing her features.

I growl low in my throat. “Continue.”

She shakes her head, defiance etched on her face.

“Do you know who the baby’s daddy is?” I press. My curiosity mingles with concern that Thorne is correct, and Freya is lying to us.

“No,” she replies too quickly.

“You’re lying to me.” My bark is sharp, alpha like. My shoulders push back as I try to calm the tension radiating between us.

A ripple runs down her throat.

“I can’t help you if you don’t give me honesty.”

“He doesn’t want me,” she insists, her gaze dropping to the ground as if it pains her to say it.

“Omegas are rare, Freya. Any alpha would love to have you as their omega. Scent match or not,” I remind her as I stand and walk to her.

“First, that is not true. That’s why I’m still pack-less at twenty-eight years old. And second, he doesn’t want me. Trust me on this,” she murmurs. Her voice is filled with such hurt, my heart aches for her.

I cup her face in my hands, brushing my thumbs over her soft skin. “Does he know who you are? Were you matched in the wellness center?”

“All I can tell you is that he doesn’t know he is a daddy. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.” Her eyes bore into mine, pleading for understanding.

“Why?” I ask, keeping my tone calm.

“Because he’ll take Stone from me, and my baby is all I have,” she replies, her voice trembling with emotion as her eyes lock onto mine. “And Stone is more important than him knowing about him.”

She has such a fierce love for her child shining from her, and I love that. All alphas want that in their omegas.

“You have this pack, Freya.”

Her mouth turns down as she shakes her head. “For now.”

I take Stone from Freya’s arms, cradling him against my chest while pulling her close with my free arm. Her warmth seeps into me, and I breathe in deep, catching hints of her true scent beneath those damned inhibitors.

“Please stop taking them,” I murmur against her hair. “Let us feel you. Let us smell you. All of you.”

She trembles against me. “Miller, I—”

“Let us protect you.” I press my lips to her temple. “Both of you.”

She pulls back just enough to meet my eyes. “You’re a decent man. I feel it here.” She touches her chest, right over her heart.

“You can trust me, Freya.”

“With my secret?” Her voice catches.

I hold her face with my free hand, thumb stroking her cheek. “With your life.”

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