Page 170 of Knot What I Expected

“Bossy.”

“Says you.”

I press my forehead against hers.

“But if you're willing to give me a try? If you’re asking what I want?”

She nods. And I let her see it.

All of it.

The fear. The longing. The possessiveness I'm barely keeping leashed.

The fucking hope.

“Then the answer is you. I want you to accept me. I want to be your mate. Your man. Your Alpha.”

Her breath shudders out.

“Not because you're my Omega,” I add. “Because you're you. And I want the chance to figure out what the hell this is with you and how far it goes.”

She stares at me for what feels like forever. Then her hand slides around the back of my neck.

“I think I'd like that too.”

Monster surges.

Mate.

My eyes close.

“Careful, Honey Girl.”

“Why?”

“Because my Wolf heard that.”

She smiles. And then she does something that destroys me completely.

She says my name.

“Rowan.”

Not Havoc. Never Havoc from her.

Just Rowan.

“I am saying yes. I want you to knot me. I want you to claim me. I choose you, Rowan.”

Everything inside me stops fighting. For the first time, Monster and I want exactly the same fucking thing.

Her.

Not taken. Not conquered. Not claimed just because the Fates decreed it.

Chosen.

And fuck me if that doesn't mean more than any mating instinct ever could.