Page 13 of Knot Alone

“Linus doesn’t have to make you go,” I say, no quiver in my voice.

“See.” Peterson perks up.

“Because I’m going to. I’m requesting another caseworker.”

“Maggie.” Peterson sighs at me.

“Get out.” I snap, with none of my usual poise.

“Thank you so much for your help.” The other caseworker says to Peterson with that perfect customer service, ‘fuck you’ as she herds him out the door and down the hall to the elevator. I can hear her out there keeping kept up a stream of polite nonsense the entire way. She’s barely giving Peterson room to breathe, let alone argue.

Linus leaves his caseworker on it. “All right?” He asks me.

I smile at him. I’m proud of myself for speaking up and relieved that the confrontation was so easy. I want to stand up from behind the desk and demand a hug as my reward so Linus can wrap me back in his safe embrace.

Woah.

My shock cuts off the train of thought.

Yes, Linus has proven himself trustworthy. But wanting to throw myself in his arms for a victory cuddle is the kind of instant connection that only happens in movies. I’m an adult. Far older than most unmated Omegas, but I know finding a gentlemanly Alpha isn’t the same thing as a real connection. I need to get my pre-heat-addled self back under control. So, I swallow to clear my throat and just say, “I’m fine.”

Linus can tell something is up, but the caseworker slips into her office, offering apologies for her associate’s behavior. “Though he won’t be my associate for long. I assure you, Ms. Page, the purpose of the Center is the care and protection of our Omega patients and his behavior is unacceptable. Mr. Peterson is a few months out of his probation, but still, we’ll audit all his files to correct any errors he’s made in his treatment of other Omegas.”

The caseworker steps towards the desk and hesitates just long enough that I can tell she doesn’t know if I’m in a position to stand up and give her chair back. Before I can even try to get my feet under me, Linus intervenes. “I’ll be purchasing the chair.”

I blink in confusion and glance at the caseworker to see if she can make more sense of that. The confusion on the woman’s face turns to speculation and settles on a perfect understanding that I don’t have.

“Of course, Mr. Lockridge. When we’re done here, I’ll have some of the Beta employees we trust with post-heat cleaning drop it off at your home.”

“Thank you.” He’s got a little flush on the tips of his ears, but carries on anyway.

I form a ‘wh—’ with my mouth, but the caseworker cuts me off with a small grin and a quick wink. She takes her tablet and sits in a chair on the other side of her desk. The only chair in this office I’ve never sat in.

Oh.

Oh.

Linus is buying this chair and taking it home because it smells like me. Because… well, because it’s probably soaked in my pheromones and he’s not going to leave that here for someone else to scent.

I don’t appreciate possessive Alphas, but the thought of Linus refusing to let someone else have a taste of my scent sends a jolt of heat right to my clit.

I can’t scent myself, but whatever I’m giving off must be potent. Linus glances over at me and some tightness in him unwinds, like he was nervous about how I was going to respond to the chair and now he’s relieved.

“So,” the caseworker says, willfully ignoring our silent communication. “Ms. Page, do I have your approval to open your file and function as your caseworker for the rest of this meeting? Or would you like me to call in another caseworker—another experienced and trustworthy caseworker—to speak on your behalf?”

“I’m fine with you.”

“Excellent. I appreciate that. My name is Iris and I’m Mr. Lockridge’s caseworker. Let me say out loud so it is clearly on the record: under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t give you the option of sharing caseworkers. I would just bring in another employee. But given Mr. Peterson’s poor behavior and the clear…” Iris licks her lips as she tries to come up with the right words. She settles on, “connection between the two of you. We can press forward with your approval.”

Linus’ ears go pink and he looks up at the ceiling. His embarrassment is charming and makes mine less terrible.

“Am I correct in assuming you two have come to an arrangement?”

There’s no innuendo in Iris’ tone, but I blush at the thought of our ‘arrangement.’

Linus clears his throat and gets out an affirmative.

“Congratulations.” Iris waits in silence for a moment, like we’re supposed to know what she’s looking for. “Would you like to tell me about the terms?” She asks gently.

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