Page 88 of Knot Your Baby

“I know that now. But you’re everything,” Thorne growls. “Everything we’ve been missing. Why can’t you see that?”

But I can’t let myself believe it. Can’t let myself hope. Because hope leads to heartbreak, and I’ve had enough of that to last a lifetime.

Miller bursts through the door, his usual composed demeanor cracking as his eyes land on me. “You’re awake. Thank god, you scared the hell out of me, Freya.”

My heart skips at the raw emotion in his voice. “I did?”

“All of us.” He crosses to my bedside in three long strides. “We’ve been waiting to take you home and be the alphas who you deserve.”

Tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision. My chest tightens with a little hope and a lot of disbelief. “Why the change?”

“I haven’t changed.” Zane squeezes my hand. “Nor Miller. Just him.” He nods at his brother across from him.

I squeeze back. “I know. But you’re still pack mates.”

“We’re all pack. Including you and Stone.” Thorne’s voice drops low.

“You drove me insane,” I tell him.

He swallows. “I’m sorry, just give me a chance. Just stay with this pack. Even if it takes years for you to trust me, it’s fine. I promise I can wait.”

I turn to look at him then, really look at him. “You’ll wait?”

“As long as it takes.” The sincerity in his eyes makes my omega whine with need. For the first time, I believe him.

“This is lovely, but we have a problem.” Miller clears his throat, and something in his expression makes my stomach drop as he runs a hand through his hair. “The hospital took a call from the DRA asking about you, Freya. The hospital told them Zane Stone was the father of Stone, but when they checked the records further, the named pack was different.” My blood runs cold as he continues. “Now the DRA are on their way here to take the baby.”

Terror grips me. My arms instinctively reach for Stone, but he’s too far away. I try to get up, but my body won’t cooperate.

“No fucking way,” Thorne growls, his alpha presence filling the room. “Freya and the baby are ours.”

“Ours?” The word comes out as a whisper. My heart pounds so hard I can barely hear my voice.

Before I can ask any more questions, the door to my room swings open without warning. Three figures step inside—a tall woman in a charcoal suit flanked by two broad-shouldered men in matching dark uniforms. The official emblem of the DRA gleams on their lapels, and my heart stutters in my chest.

The woman’s eyes, cold and assessing, sweep the room before settling on me. “Freya Rose?”

Thorne stiffens beside me, his posture instantly changing from concerned mate to defensive alpha. “Who’s asking?”

The woman ignores him, stepping closer to my bed. “I’m Director Madson with the DRA. We’re here regarding a reported violation of statute one zero two, no unauthorized breeding outside registered or settled pack bonds.”

My arms move instinctively toward my baby, but I’m still tethered by IV lines. Panic claws up my throat.

“I don’t understand,” I say, though the sinking feeling in my stomach tells me I do.

“It’s quite simple, Ms. Rose. Our records indicate you conceived and birthed a child without proper registration or consent processes.” She produces a tablet, tapping the screen. “That constitutes an omega rights violation because, importantly, it’s a crime to do so without an alpha’s approval.”

Thorne moves between us, his body a barrier. “I’m her alpha. Whatever you think happened—”

“You’re not registered as her mate, Mr.—” Director Madson cuts him off without looking up from her tablet. “In fact, our records show there is no formal pack. However, Ms. Rose claimed to belong to a fictitious pack during her pregnancy. Which makes this child”—she nods toward the crib—"a child of the state until we determine who the father is."

“I’m the fucking father,” Thorne hisses.

A uniformed man steps toward my baby, and something primal erupts inside me. I rip the IV from my arm, lungingacross the bed to reach my child first. Pain shoots through my still-healing body, but I ignore it, gathering my baby against my chest.

“Don’t touch him!” The words tear from my throat, raw and fierce.

Thorne stands in front of me, his arms outstretched so nobody can get to me or our baby.

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