Page 79 of Knot Your Baby

“What? I can’t…That’s—” I slump against the kitchen counter and the phone slips from my fingers, clattering onto the marble surface. The sound makes me jump.

Zane’s arms wrap around me from behind. His scent hits my nose. I fight with everything I have to not purr. “We’ll figure something out.”

But I can’t focus on his words. My universe is crumbling. Everything I’ve worked for—gone. And now they expect me to survive on forty thousand dollars?

Thorne strides over and plucks the phone from the counter as he narrows his eyes at me.

God, I hate him.

“This is Thorne Stone.” His voice drops an octave that I didn’t know was possible, considering his voice is already really low and commanding. “You can deal with me now.”

The lady says something and his nostrils flare.

“I’m Ms. Rose’s alpha, and unless you want to violate DRA regulations about pack alpha rights, you’ll discuss this with me.”

My knees wobble.

My alpha. My heart skips, but I squash the hope. He’s just saying that to help.

“Why isn’t my omega getting what she paid for?” He listens, his face darkening as anger takes over. “The building has been declared unfit and is to be razed to the ground.”

How does he know that?

He listens again. “Thank you. I’ll have that paperwork on your desk this afternoon. And I then expect you to make a call to my omega with an apology and a new offer for the full amount she is insured for.”

Wait. How does he know about the building? Has he been looking into my case?

He ends the call and hands me back my phone, his dark green eyes boring into mine for a long moment before he turns and walks away without a word.

Chapter 23

Freya

It’s been two dayssince Thorne defended me against the insurance company, and I don’t know how I feel about it. He’s obviously investigating who I am. And the thought should thrill me, instead I’m scared at what he’ll find.

I get it, though. I’ve lied to get what I want, but I’m exhausted by it all. Fighting with the insurance company. Fighting with Thorne. And not being brave enough to let these alphas know everything about me is getting me down.

I’m thinking that contending with six flights of stairs is easier than being here.

The door clicks open, and Miller’s clean, just washed scent wraps around me. His powerful arms follow, pulling me against his chest.

“What’s amiss, little omega?” He cups my face, thumbs stroking my cheeks.

I attempt a laugh. “Just discovering I’m needier than I first thought. Being around alphas is making me weak.”

“Weak?” His gray eyes darken. “You’re the strongest omega I’ve ever met. And the only one I’ve wanted to bond with.”

His lips capture mine in a tender kiss that makes my heart ache. God, I hate myself more with each passing second. When the truth comes out, I’ll hurt both him and Zane.

But what if he’d leave with Zane?

“What would you do if I was your full scent match and one of your pack mates wasn’t?” The words tumble out before I can stop them.

He shakes his head. “We all have the same scent, Freya. Thorne will come around to you being his, too. Give him a little time.”

I sigh. “And the baby’s father... What would you do if he came back into the picture?”

“Kill him,” he says without hesitation. There’s no humor in his tone, but I force a laugh, anyway.

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