Page 32 of Knot Your Romeo

“Complicated how?”

He sighs heavily. “I think she might be my scent match.”

The words drop into the breakfast conversation like a bomb. Remi’s eyes widen, River’s mouth falls open, and I feel like someone’s just punched me in the gut.

I’ve waited forever for an Omega to be mine. Waited for the perfect scent. Unfortunately, not even Emmie’s scent was an exact match.

“Your what?” Remi breathes.

“Scent match,” Romeo repeats, his voice flat. “Perfect biological compatibility. The whole nine yards.”

“Romeo,” I say carefully, fighting to keep my voice steady, “are you certain? Have you asked her what scent she smells on you?”

“No, but I know. My body knows,” he replies with bitter humor. “Trust me, I wish I was mistaken.”

“Why?” River asks, confused. “That’s supposed to be a good thing. Like finding your soulmate or whatever.”

Romeo’s laugh is harsh. “It would be, if she wasn’t completely unsuitable in every other way.”

“Unsuitable how?” The question comes out sharper than I intended, and Romeo’s eyes narrow slightly.

“She’s the housekeeper’s daughter, Beck. No family connections, no money, no social standing. Everything Grandfather taught us not to get involved with.” The casual dismissal of Jolie based on her economic status makes something dangerous unfurl in my chest.

“Your grandfather was an elitist bastard who died alone because he valued money over people.”

“Beck,” Remi says quietly, clearly recognizing the warning signs of my temper. But I’m not done.

“If she is a match. What exactly are you planning to do about it, Romeo?”

“Nothing,” he says, but there’s something in his expression that suggests otherwise. “I’m with Cerise. This changes nothing.”

“Doesn’t it? Because Remi said Cerise thinks you’re interested in someone else. And I’m assuming that someone else is Jolie.”

Romeo’s scent spikes with frustration. “I can manage my biology. I don’t need to act on every impulse.”

“That’s not how scent matches work,” I breathe. “Denying it will only strengthen it.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Romeo snaps. “That I abandon my relationship with Cerise to pursue some Omega who’s probably only here until she finds something better?” The dismissive way he talks about Jolie makes my hands clench around my coffee cup.

“I suggest you treat her with respect, regardless of your decision.”

“I’m not treating her with anything,” Romeo says. “I’m staying away from her, like I should.”

But even as he says it, I can see the lie in his eyes. Romeo isn’t staying away from anyone. Absolutely not. He’s watching, circling, fighting a battle between desire and duty that he’s too young to understand.

“Has she given you any indication that she’s interested?” I ask.

Romeo’s jaw tightens. “She turned me down.”

“You approached her?” The words come out colder than I intended.

“Once. She made it clear she wasn’t interested in complications.”

There’s more to this story, I can tell. Romeo’s body language suggests rejection, but there’s also anger there, the kind that comes from wounded pride.

“Good for her,” Remi says approvingly. “Smart girl.”

Romeo’s glare could melt steel. “Thanks for the support, sister.”