Page 169 of Knot What I Expected

“I need you to understand something.”

“What?”

“If this knot means what I think it means, Monster isn't going to stop wanting you.”

Her smile disappears.

“And you?”

That's the question.

Not what does the Wolf want? What do I want?

I look straight into her eyes.

“I don't want to try to stop wanting you, Gabby. Truth is, I can’t stop. I want to claim you as mine.”

Her breath catches.

“I've tried staying away from you. Fuck knows I've tried.”

My thumb strokes her cheek.

“But I don't want another woman. I don't want another Omega. I want Gabriella Santos.”

The silence between us feels alive.

“And if I don't accept this?” she whispers.

My chest hurts, but I answer immediately.

“Then you don't.”

Her eyebrows lift.

“I'll deal with Monster. I'll deal with myself. I'll never force a bond on you because my fucking body decided it found its mate.”

“You would do that?”

“For you?”

I don't hesitate.

“Yeah.”

Something wet shines in her eyes.

Fuck.

“Shit. Don't cry.”

“I'm not crying.”

“You're absolutely fucking crying.”

“Shut up.”

I kiss the corner of one eye. Then the other.