Page 72 of Knot Mine

“You’d know if I was nervous.”

True. We were still navigating how the bond worked, but I could feel his emotions as clearly as I could my own.

“I just think that if we are pregnant, and about to embark on the whole parenthood journey, my body will never look as good as it does right now.” He spins around and kisses me, tasting like everything I’d ever wanted. “I spent so long worrying about what people would say, but I’m done with that.”

My Mate had always hidden in the shadows, clinging to the walls like a faded flower and now he was finally in his element. He was right, he may only have a few months to enjoy his new found confidence the way he wanted. Who was I to stop him?

I just hoped he could handle my parents.

An hour later, I’m no longer worried about Shiloh. My father is absolutely charmed by him, and Shiloh has him eating out of the palm of his hand. My papa seems more hesitant, particularly since Shiloh wasn’t joking about the crop top.

He was currently sitting in my parents' favorite bistro with his lithe frame on display for anyone who wanted to look, earning himself more than a fair share of sideways glances. They could look, but they’d never be allowed to touch because the fiery man with the big green eyes was mine.

As we finish our meal, my father coughs awkwardly. “After our phone call this weekend, we realized that perhaps, we still have some work to do as your parents.”

“We’ve been seeing our counsellor recently, darling. Dr. Chambers has been helping us work on our parenting style.” My papa surprises me by saying as he delicately wipes the corners of his mouth with a napkin. “We didn’t tell you before, because itdidn’t seem important. But that phone call made us understand that we need to work on communicating better with you.”

My father nods, and down our bond I can feel Shiloh sending me warm feelings of encouragement and hope. “We appreciate that you felt like you needed support and reached out to us. It made us both so happy that you needed us.”

Pouring my Mate a glass of water, my papa offers a small smile. “We know that we’re always a little hard on you. All we ever wanted was the best for you.”

“You always seemed so ambivalent, and so we tried to push you into choosing a direction and making a decision. We realize now that it was too soon.” My father avoids my gaze, unused to talking about feelings, but is clearly trying to make an effort to contribute to the conversation. “You were too young and we should have just let you make up your mind on your own when the time came.”

I nod, and just like Shiloh with his parents, I feel myself relaxing, shedding some of the weight that had hung around my neck.

“We love you, and that will never change, Zale.” My eyes sting as I blink away tears, not realizing how much I needed to hear that.

Hiding his snuffling behind the menu, my father orders dessert.

Clearly finished with the uncomfortable topics, my papa turns to us both with a wide smile. “Darling, we’re happy you found your Fated Mate. You already know how rare that is but do you understand how many people will be jealous of you? You’ll be the envy of everyone back home.”

My papa never liked Millie, even though they’d only met once by accident when we’d run into each other at a spa one weekend a few months ago. I’d wondered why they were so accepting ofmy bond with Shiloh, but it wasn’t until my papa mentioned the jealousy back home that it clicked into place.

My bond gave them bragging rights, and our potential baby gave them a legacy. He wasn’t just any old omega from a prestigious family, he was all of that and my Fated Mate.

I open my mouth to say something, but Shiloh takes my hand under the table and gives it a gentle squeeze. I’m bathed in love and patience down the bond, soothing the ache inside that demands I stand up to my parents.

Shiloh was right. They were trying, and it was going to take time.

“We want to support you and be there for your family as it grows. I know some excellent birthing classes all recommended by some of the lovely omegas at my tennis club. Perhaps once you’ve had the baby, you could join me?” My papa looks over Shiloh as if he secretly hopes Shiloh will refuse. Could you imagine Shiloh playing tennis at the club with all the arrogant omegas?

Shiloh nods and smiles serenely. “Oh, thank you. But I don’t play tennis and I plan to work once the baby arrives.”

My papa, not really listening or hearing him, continues. “I’ve also compiled a list of things you need and a list of vitamins you should take. Do you think it’s too early to be buying baby cloth—I’m sorry, what did you say?”

There’s silence at the table. My father reaches for his glass of wine and polishes it off in one gulp.

“I’ll be working, so Zale is going to stay home with the baby for a while.”

We’d talked about how we wanted the next year to look while we laid in bed last night and realized how fortunate we were to come from wealthy families. Shiloh didn’t need to work, but he wanted to. I didn’t want to work for Blackwood Tech, at least not in the role my parents offered and with my trust fund more thanenough to support us, I could stay home with our baby while I figured out my next steps.

Well, I already had them roughly mapped out thanks to Shiloh, but now it was time to lay the groundwork.

“What about Blackwood Tech?” Father sputters, dark eyes wide with panic.

I pour him another glass of wine, even though he’s already had the two my papa normally allowed. “My family comes first, but once things are more settled, I’ll revisit joining the company.”

My papa stares between Shiloh and me. “Revisit…”

---