Page 2 of Knots & Treats

Hunt chuckles, stepping closer to her. “Maybe we didn’t do it to scare you. Maybe we wanted you to stick around.”

I don’t miss the way her eyes dart between my pack mates and I, sizing up each one of us. I get the sense she’s the kind of omega who doesn’t take shit from anyone. And damn if that doesn’t make me crave her more.

“Let’s get you out of here,” I say, offering her my hand. “Unless you wanna spend more time with our zombie friend back there?”

She looks at my extended hand, then back up at me, her full lips pulling into a slow, reluctant smile. “Fine. Lead the way, ‘hero.’”

We guide her through the maze, walking close enough that she can feel us, taking turns leading her around a corner, brushing a hand along her arm, letting her feel just how close we are. Every step she takes, every glance she gives, the heat keeps rising between us.

But just as we’re nearing the exit, the lights go out, plunging us into darkness.

“Well, that’s convenient,” she says, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Any of you geniuses bring a flashlight?”

“Nope,” I say, stepping close enough to smell the subtle hint of her perfume mixed with the cool night air. “Guess we’ll just have to stay close.”

Jax moves right next to her on her other side. “Wouldn’t want you getting lost again.”

I can feel her tense, but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she lets out a shaky breath, her bravado slipping just enough for us to catch a glimpse of something else.

“You think you three can protect me?” she challenges, her voice edged with that fire that’s been drawing us in since the second we saw her on that screen.

“Don’t think,” Hunt murmurs, leaning down to brush his mouth close to her ear. “Know.”

Three

Hunter

I can still feel her pulse pounding. That little shiver when I leaned in? It’s gonna stick with me for a while. And I know Maddox and Jax felt it too. We haven’t stopped watching her since the second we stepped out of the maze.

Kisha’s in our lounge now, comfortably seated on one of the leather couches, acting like she isn’t aware of the three alphas in the room, practically circling her. But I can see that glint in her eye, the little smirk she’s barely holding back every time one of us looks her way. She knows exactly what she’s doing to us.

I lean against the back of the couch, close enough that I can see every change in her expression. “You want a drink?” I offer, nodding toward the small bar against the wall.

She looks up, tilting her head like she’s sizing me up, then shrugs. “Sure. Whatever you’re having.”

I grab a bottle and pour us each a glass, then pass one to her,letting my fingers brush hers. The smallest touch, but it sends a jolt up my arm. Her eyes flick up, and I see that she felt it too. Good.

“So,” Maddox starts, settling across from her, that rough, assessing look in his eyes. “What’d you think of our little haunted maze?”

Kisha sips her drink before she answers, “I think you all have way too much time on your hands, if that’s what you consider fun.”

Jax chuckles, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees. “Think you’re just scared to admit you enjoyed it.”

Her eyebrow arches. “Boy, please. It takes a lot more than a few creepy clowns to scare me.”

I smirk, letting the silence stretch a beat, then lean down to her level. “What does it take then?”

The question hangs heavy in the air, and for a second, she’s quiet. Then she straightens, shrugging, like she’s not about to let us get under her skin. “Guess you’ll have to keep trying if you want to find out.”

The woman’s got guts, I’ll give her that.

Maddox shifts in his seat, setting his drink down with a little more force than necessary. “Maybe we will.” He’s rattled too.

Kisha’s eyes meet his, then flick over to Jax, and finally land back on me. “Sounds like you three don’t know how to handle asimple business meeting,” she says, smirking over the rim of her glass. “Or maybe I’m misreading this whole vibe.”

She’s baiting us, and damn if it doesn’t work. I set my own glass down, not breaking eye contact. “Maybe we’re just not interested in keeping things that simple.”

Her breath hitches. Barely. But I catch it. And I know Maddox and Jax do too.

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