Page 68 of Knot Your Romeo

The conversation is brief but urgent, and when I hang up, Remi is watching me with concern.

"Everything okay?"

"I need to drop you at home," I say, already changing direction. "Something I need to attend to."

"Is it about the girl?"

"Possibly." I glance at her, noting she's still rubbing her thigh. "Will you be okay? Ice that leg, and if it gets worse—"

"I'll call you. Take me home and then handle whatever it is."

After dropping Remi home, my mind races between worry for Remi and whatever emergency Professor Benson has called about. But underneath it all, one thought keeps circling back: if this is about Emmie, if she needs help, then nothing else matters right now. Not age differences, not complications, not the hundred reasons caring about her might be a mistake. She needs help, and I'll be there. Whatever it takes.

My anxiety is building by the time I reach Jude's apartment building. He rushes to my car, opening the door.

"She needs you."

Does she though?

"How bad is it?" I ask as we approach the building together.

"Her heat is controlled at the moment..." He stops walking, turning to face me with something raw and desperate in his eyes. "I'm going to stay in the room."

"You don't trust me?"

"I can't lose her. Not when I finally figured out what she means to me."

"You're a Beta, Jude. This is bigger than your feelings."

When Jude doesn't answer, I continue, this time a little calmer. "You won't lose her," I say firmly, though I'm not sure if I'm reassuring him or myself. "We'll figure this out. Together."

"Really?" His voice has a wistful sound to it that makes me stare at him for a beat too long.

"Let's get inside." Right now, Emmie needs us more than she's ever needed anyone. And maybe that includes the Beta.

26

Jude

The apartment feels chargedwith tension and pheromones as Beck and Elias stand at the side of the nest. Jolie’s scent has intensified to where it’s almost overwhelming—honey and sunshine and desperate need layered so thick I can taste it on my tongue.

My fever is climbing steadily, but I’ve taken two extra suppressants to push it aside. Right now, she needs all our focus.

“Emmie,” Beck says softly, approaching the nest slowly. His Alpha pheromones are carefully controlled, soothing rather than demanding. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

“Emmie?” I whisper.

Beck groans and says, “Her real name is Emmie. Call her by her name or Omega, but not Jolie.”

She turns toward his voice, her amber eyes glassy with heat-haze but still aware enough to recognize him. “Alpha.”

“I’m here, Omega.”

“I’m so hot. Everything hurts.”

“I know.” He crouches beside the nest but doesn’t enter it without permission. “Can we both help you? Jude says you’ve been suffering for hours.”

“I need...” She struggles to form the words, her body trembling with need. “I need you both. But I’m scared.”