Page 14 of Knot Alone

Linus clears his throat and straightens up. “Maggie would like me to join her for her heat.”

“Excellent. I assume you still intend to have your heat here at the center, Ms. Page?” I nod, and Iris clicks a few things. “And I assume that you and Mr. Lockridge intend to spend more time together between now and your heat to verify that your alignment is good.”

I glance at Linus, who nods, then I nod.

“Excellent. With that in mind, I remind you that there will be future paperwork immediately prior to your heat to verify that all parties are still happy and consenting. Further, I will need to schedule separate appointments with you both to go over your preferences and hard limits.” We both agree and Iris slides over her tablet for our signatures. Already I like this caseworker better than my last one. Iris is covering the same material without the condescending tone that implies I can’t understand big words. I thought that’s just how the Center was, not that the flaw was in the caseworker himself.

Iris reminds us both that we’ll need individual pre-heat preparation appointments for biological testing. She’s careful to explain that I can meet with her again, or with a new caseworker.

“As you both know,” Iris continues, “we require that potential matches spend time together outside the Center to verify their personality alignment. Am I correct in assuming you will verify tonight?” Iris says it so lightly that it takes a moment for the implication to hit. Linus clears his throat, then freezes and looks at me to answer. No pressure in his expression.

“Yes,” I say and Iris smiles. She hands over her card in case I have questions or any ‘issues’ arise.

“As you know, the health and safety of omegas is of utmost importance to us during this process. Mr. Lockridge has an excellent track record, but in case you need support and don’t wish to call for the police, or a friend, or a non-center connection, you can call me for aid. I will always come.” Iris means it. Honestly, I kind of want to have another caseworker just so Iris can be my new best friend.

“Now that’s settled, I assume Mr. Baxter will be joining you for this evening’s meeting?”

Baxter?

Linus says yes and Iris keeps talking like I’m supposed to know who they’re talking about. “I’m sorry.” I interrupt. “Who is Mr. Baxter?”

Iris’ eyes startle huge and flick to Linus, who has a furrow like he’s the one who deserves to be confused. “Oh!” He jolts. “Graham. Graham Baxter.”

That… didn’t answer anything.

I glance at Iris, who seems relieved, like a missing surname is the problem.

“Who is that?”

They both freeze. “Graham Baxter,” Linus repeats. “My husband.”

Screeching silence fills my brain.

“Your who?” My voice cracks.

“Graham Baxter, my husband,” Linus repeats, baffled. “I’ve been talking about him all night.”

“No, you haven’t.”

“I have.”

“No, you haven’t! You haven’t said his name.” I snap. I’m hit in the chest and all the air crushes out of my lungs. “You’re married?”

Linus sputters, and I look to the imperturbable Iris, who’s baffled herself. But Iris scrambles back together. She takes a moment to breathe and gently rest her hands on the desk like she’s trying to create calm with the sheer force of her grace. “Mr. Baxter is Mr. Lockridge’s husband.” Iris taps something on her tablet and twists it around for me to see.

Iris has brought up a basic matching profile. It’s devoid of any true identifiable information. Just things like job: sculptor, and a photo of a man with wavy blond hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. More important than his stupid, perfect face is the sub-heading for pack size: 2. Married: 12 years. Both Alphas.

“Like Mr. Lockridge, Mr. Baxter is well-regarded as a non-sexual heat partner. We’ve called him in for several emergencies when we don’t have enough Alphas, or the ones we have are having a personality conflict. Mr. Baxter is the least-aggressive Alpha I’ve ever met. Which is interesting considering…” Iris trails off, probably realizing that she’s rambling.

I swallow and work my voice to something level. “Considering?”

“He was in the military.” Linus says, shell-shocked. “I met him when he was on leave for university. Then he wounded out and stayed out when I asked him to.”

There is… nothing to say to that. 12 years, two Alphas, only non-sexual heat partners, and two perfect faces.

They’re in love.

I purse my lips, trying to keep my cheeks tight so the tears can’t fall.

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