Page 13 of The Knotheads Next Door
"Even for someone latent, it's distinctive," I press. "Almost like it's suppressed."
Her eyes meet mine, and for a moment, there's something fierce and defensive there. "I use mild blockers. Doctor's recommendation. It helps with the instability." She straightens her shoulders. "Is there anything else about my personal medical situation you'd like to interrogate me about, or can I finish unpacking my mugs in peace?"
Point taken.
"The cabinet's all yours," I say, stepping back. "Dinner at seven."
I retreat to the living room, where Theo is sprawled on the couch, scrolling through his phone with one hand and absently tapping on the back of the couch.
"Find out anything interesting?" Theo asks without looking up, his tone deceptively casual.
"She's latent," I say quietly, though I can hear Rowan moving around upstairs now.
"Twenty-eight and latent."
That gets his attention. He sits up, "Really? That's—"
"Rare. Yes."
"Did she say why?"
I shake my head. "Not exactly forthcoming with personal details."
Theo mulls this over, his expression thoughtful. "You know, some late bloomers don't respond well to standard suppressants. They can mask symptoms without actually preventing anything. Just delays the inevitable."
I frown. "You think she's not on suppressants?"
"I'm saying it's possible," he replies. "Her scent is... there's something about it. Like it's trying to emerge through layers of blocker. If she's using over-the-counter stuff instead of prescription—"
"Then she could present unexpectedly," I finish, the implications clicking into place. "While living in a house with three unmated alphas."
Theo winces. "That would be..."
"A disaster," I supply. "Jasper would lose his mind."
"Not to mention a completely vulnerable omega suddenly going into heat around three strangers," Theo adds, his medical training kicking in. "Even with the best intentions, that's a recipe for trauma."
I rub my temples, feeling a headache forming. This was supposed to be simple. A temporary roommate, a financial stopgap, an uncomplicated solution to our very specific problem. Not this—whatever this is.
"We don't know for sure," I say, more to convince myself than Theo. "And even if she is at risk of presenting, it might not happen during the months she's here."
"True," Theo concedes, but he doesn't sound convinced. "What's your read on her otherwise?"
I consider the question. "Guarded. Smart. Stubborn. Hiding something."
"Hiding something doesn't automatically mean it's something bad," Theo points out, always the optimist.
"It doesn't automatically mean it's good, either," I counter.
From upstairs, we hear a door close, then footsteps heading toward the bathroom. Rowan's moving around the house, learning its contours, finding her place within its walls. For now, at least.
"So what's the plan?" Theo asks, lowering his voice further.
I sigh. "We keep an eye on her. If she starts causing problems..."
"Problems like...?"
"Like presenting as an omega in a house full of alphas," I say bluntly. "Or whatever she's running from catching up to her here. Or Jasper completely losing it if he figures out she might be omega."
