Chapter 17

Harlow

I flop onto Freya’s couch, tucking my feet under me. “I can’t stop thinking about him.”

“Show me.” Freya grabs her phone, her copper hair falling over her shoulder as she types. “Holy shit, Harlow. Carver Sinclair is sex on skates.”

“Right?” I rub my aching nipple through my shirt. The bar feels tender today. “He’s different with me than he is with anyone else. Like he actually sees me.”

“What’s with the titty rubbing?” Freya raises an eyebrow.

“It’s been so sensitive lately. Especially since...” I trail off, remembering his mouth there only a few days ago.

“Since what? Spill!”

“He thinks I’m an omega.” The words tumble out. “Says he can smell it on me.”

Freya’s eyes go round. “And you don’t?”

“No! I mean... I don’t know anymore.” I wince as another throb hits my breast. “Everything feels different lately.”

“Different how?”

My phone buzzes before I can answer. Coach Parker’s name lights up my screen.

“Hey Kai,” I answer. “The team played remarkably well in Vegas. You must be so proud of them.”

“Thanks Harlow. I couldn’t be happier with the result.” He clears his throat. “But the reason I’m calling is because the social worker’s coming by today for Jagger. Any chance you could help? I’ll pick you up.”

My heart skips. I’ve missed that little guy. “Of course. What time?”

“Does an hour work?”

“Perfect. How long will I be there for?”

“Not sure. I’ll drive you home later.”

“Okay.” I hang up and catch Freya’s knowing smirk. “What?”

“Nothing. Just interesting how you light up talking about that kid, or is it when you’re talking to his uncle?”

I throw a pillow at her. “Shut up.”

“Or is it the pack? Maybe you are an omega. Maybe this is your body telling you it’s about to reveal your true designation.”

I throw another pillow at her. “Can I take some cookies over for Jagger?”

“Of course. But tell me one thing first. How did his knot feel?” Her eyes narrow. “Carver’s.”

“His knot is the only one I’ve ever had. And I’m the only person he has ever knotted. ”

She gives me a small nod. “Interesting… And how did it feel?”

“Good.”

She smiles. “What I mean is, did it feel like it was meant to be there? Or was it like it is when there’s a dick in your ass and it’s too much?”

“I’ve never had a cock in my ass.”

“No way.”

“No…” But my body makes this involuntary shudder, and I’m not sure anymore of who I am. “And it felt amazing. Like I was floating on a cloud and at that moment, only Carver and I existed.”

She gives me a knowing smile and I’m expecting her to say something profound, but she says, “I’ll get those cookies.”

An hour later, I slide into Coach Parker’s sleek black Mercedes, the leather cool against my bare legs.

Palm trees sway against a perfect blue sky on the drive from downtown to his home.

“Beautiful up here,” I say, as the car winds through the hills, offering glimpses of the sprawling city below and the mansions dotting the landscape. “You’re near to where Carver lives.”

His hands tighten on the steering wheel. “How’s that situation going?”

“Complicated.” I shift in my seat.

“How so?”

“I was dating his brother, Colton. ”

“I know.”

“Oh. Yeah.”

“What happened with Colton?” he asks. “And Carver?”

I’m done sugar coating Colton’s betrayal, and say, “He cheated on me with an omega. And I slept with Carver for revenge but...” I trail off, breathing in deeply.

A familiar scent of coconut and pineapple fills the car, making my head spin. I inhale again, side eyeing Kai.

“But?”

“It became more.” I rub my nipple through my shirt, the metal bar seems to be sending sharp pains through my breast.

“You okay?” His gray eyes flick to my chest, then back to the road.

“Think my piercing might be infected. Probably need to take it out for a few days.” The throbbing intensifies, and I squirm in my seat.

The scent grows stronger in the enclosed space. My mind flashes to Club Midnight, to masked faces and the hand that pushed me behind him to stop the alpha from hurting me.

“That night in Club Midnight?” The words slip out before I can stop them.

He looks at me sharply. “How did you recognize me?”

My throat goes dry. I can’t tell him it’s his scent and that it has sharpened as we sit so close and in such a small space. “I don’t know. But I want to say thank you.”

The air between us crackles with tension as we climb higher into the hills. “You’re welcome. And thank you for this.”

My heart pounds against my ribs as I think about what I have to do. “What exactly should I do when the social worker arrives?”

“Just be yourself.” Kai keeps his eyes on the winding road. “Though I might need to show you some affection. Put my arm around you, kiss your cheek. Make it look real. ”

“Okay.” The word comes out breathy. I clear my throat. “And Jagger? Won’t he give the game away that this is all pretend?”

“He won’t.” Kai’s voice stays steady, certain. “The pack coached him while we were in Vegas. He understands what’s at stake.”

My fingers twist in my lap. “What does he think is happening?”

The car slows as we approach a traffic light. Kai turns to face me, his gray eyes intense. “He thinks you’re going to be his mommy. That we’re binding as a pack.”

My throat suddenly dries and I swallow hard. The implications hit me hard. This sweet little boy believes I’m staying, that I’m becoming part of their family. The weight of his expectations settles heavily in my chest.

“That’s...” My voice cracks. “That’s a lot.”

“I know.” His hand finds mine, squeezing gently. The simple contact sends tingles up my arm, and that familiar scent grows stronger. “But he already adores you, Harlow. And the way you are with him...”

The light turns green, and he focuses back on driving, but keeps hold of my hand.

“I don’t want to disappoint him,” I whisper. My fingers tighten around his hand. “I feel like I’m lying to everyone.”

“You’re not.” Kai takes a turn into a driveway as a sprawling modern house coming into view. Glass and steel stretch across multiple levels, offering panoramic views of Los Angeles below.

He kills the engine but doesn’t let go of my hand. “There’s something else.”

I watch a bird dart between the native flowers lining the path as I try to calm my rapid breathing. “What?”

“We’ve set up a room for you, decorated it.” He runs his thumb over my knuckles. “Bought you some clothes…”

“Why would you do that? ”

“The social worker needs to see you’re committed to being here. To Jagger.”

My head spins. “Won’t she think it’s weird I have my own room? If we’re supposed to be together?”

“No.” His voice drops lower. “It’s where your nest is.”

Heat floods my face. “You actually told them I’m an omega?” I wipe sweat from my forehead with my free hand. “Why would you do that?”

“It’s better this way.” His grip tightens slightly. “Packs need omegas. Alphas need omegas.”

“Don’t I fucking know it.” The words come out bitter, thinking of Colton.

“Sorry.”

I let out a long breath, my anger deflating. “It’s fine. I get it.”

“Do you?”

I owe him. He saved me at Club Midnight.

I stare at my hand, still wrapped in his. “Why did you save me from that alpha?”

“Because…” Kai’s jaw tightens. “I felt something. And I shouldn’t have let you leave that night.”

“Why did you?”

“Because someone like you...” He releases my hand, running his fingers through his dark hair. “You deserve better than me. An older alpha raising his dead sister’s kid.”

The raw pain in his voice hits me in the chest. “Kai...”

“I watched you walk away. Thought it was for the best.” His gray eyes meet mine, vulnerable in a way I’ve never seen before. “Then you showed up at work, and I couldn’t believe it. Oliver is convinced—” He stops talking.

I turn to him and say, "Tell me. I need to know what I'm dealing with."

"He's convinced it's fate that you came here. That you work for the Raiders."

I nod. “Is that why you asked me to help with the social worker?”

“I wanted to explore the possibility.” He shifts in his seat. “But mostly because Jagger lights up around you. And my pack... we need that.”

I inhale sharply, that coconut-pineapple scent flooding my senses again. “I keep smelling things. Different things. Stronger things.”

“Like what?”

“You.” The word comes out as a murmur. “Ever since Carver...”

“Since his knot?” Kai’s eyes darken.

I nod, heat creeping up my neck. “Everything’s different now. People keep saying I’m an omega, but it used to just be a joke because everyone used to say I was ‘too pretty’ and 'too mild' to be an alpha. Then my sister Grace presented late, and now with Carver...”

“Your body’s awakening.” His voice is soft, certain. “You can feel it, can’t you?”

I press my hand to my chest, where that constant ache lives now. “I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

“Everything.” I meet his gaze. “The way I feel. These scents. How much I want...”

“Want what?”

“To belong.”

“We’re both hurting. Both confused.” Kai’s fingers brush against mine. “That’s what makes us understand each other.”

“I suppose that’s a start.” I lean back against the headrest, processing his words .

A blur of motion catches my eye.

Jagger bursts through the front door, his little legs pumping as he races down the path and to his uncle.

Behind him, Asher jogs out shirtless, his gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips. Sweat glistens on his chest, highlighting his defined muscles and the deep V that disappears below his waistband.

Wetness pools between my thighs, causing a scent so sharp and immediate, I’m taken aback.

Kai’s nostrils flare. “You need to be careful.”

I bite my lip and nod, mortified that he can smell my reaction.

How the hell am I going to cope in their home?

Oliver emerges next, wearing only basketball shorts. His tattoos wind up his torso in intricate patterns that remind me of Carver’s. The similarity makes my chest ache and I glance away before anyone notices.

“I hope you two are planning to cover up before the social worker arrives,” Kai calls through the window.

Oliver laughs, opening my door as he lowers and gives Kai the middle finger.

“Hey, Jagger’s around,” I tell him.

Oliver laughs and extends his hand to help me out.

When I take it, he pulls me close and presses a soft kiss on my cheek. Our eyes lock, just like they did that day in New York, and again at the stadium.

“Thank you for this,” he murmurs against my skin.

“Oliver.” His name comes out breathier than I intend it to sound.

“Give her to me,” Asher says.

“You’ve touched her more than anyone,” Oliver says, keeping tight hold of my hand and walking me to the house as Jagger runs up to me .

“Harlow!” Jagger crashes into my legs, wrapping his arms around my thighs. “I helped Asher and Oliver work out.”

I run my fingers through his dark blond hair, so similar to Kai’s. “Did you now?”

“He did fifty push-ups,” Oliver says, his hand still warm in mine.

“Twenty,” Asher corrects, grabbing a shirt from the porch railing. “And most of them were on his knees.”

“They were not!” Jagger pouts, his little face scrunching up.

I crouch down to his level, tapping his nose. “Twenty is amazing. I can barely do five.”

His eyes light up. “I can teach you! We can work out together every day when you live here.”

Live here?

My heart squeezes. I glance up at the three alphas watching us, their expressions soft.

“Want to see my room?” Jagger tugs my hand. “Uncle Kai got me new space sheets and there’s glow-in-the-dark stars and planets on the ceiling.”

“I’d love to.”

“And then I’ll show you your room.” He bounces on his toes excitedly. “It’s next to mine because Uncle Kai says omegas need to be close to their babies.”

Heat floods my cheeks when I glance at Kai, but Jagger’s already pulling me toward the house. His small hand fits perfectly in mine, his excitement infectious as he chatters about constellations and planets.

“And when you’re my mommy, we can have sleepovers in your nest and you can read me stories every night.”

Something in my chest cracks open, it's warm but terrifying.

I could have this .

But do they want me, or is this just for Jagger to have someone to call his mom?

“Will you?” he asks, those big gray eyes so much like his uncle’s staring up at me.

I squeeze his hand, unable to deny him anything. “I can stay sometimes.”