Page 48 of Knot a Chance in Hell

“Storm’s rolled in,” Savva grunted.

I hadn’t looked outside in hours. Sheets of white blew across the mountain. I couldn’t see maybe ten feet out. Fuck. It was near blizzard conditions.

“I’ll take a snow machine.” No way could I get the truck down the mountain.

“I got the snowcat warmed up. I’m coming to get you right now. They’ll need both of us.”

“Right.” I ended the call and reached for my pants.

“What’s going on?” Nicolette had on her sweater and no pants. My dick stirred just at the sight of her like that. So fucking gorgeous.

“There’s some trouble downtown. It might be Silas blowing off some steam.” I hoped she didn’t sense how major this was. I didn’t want her worrying. After what she had gone through earlier today, she didn’t need this crap.

“I heard Kodiak’s name.” She worried her lower lip, and even though she held her pants in her hands, she wrung them.

I hurried to her and wrapped her in a comforting embrace. She heard what she heard, and I wasn’t going to lie to her. “It’ll be okay, beach bunny. Savva and I are going—”

“I’m coming with you.” Nicolette quickly started to put on her panties and her leggings at the same time. Her face had paled and her hands shook.

I couldn’t stand to see her this scared. Taking her hands in mine, I gave her a small smile. “It’s near blizzard conditions outside, and if we take the guys home with us, there’s barely enough room in the snowcat for four of us. I’ll feel better if you stay here where it’s safe. Maybe you can get a fire started in case the electricity goes out. Perhaps even get the sauna going. Nothing feels better for sore bodies than sitting in the sauna.”

Even as I said these things, it felt lame. She wanted to be with us, and if it were any other day at any other time, I would have said yes. But seeing what the fight at the clinic did to her, I couldn’t stand to see her cry if Silas and Kodiak were really fighting. It would tempt me to pound them down for upsetting her. Nicolette staying here was safer. Not just because of the weather, but to protect her heart.

She stared at me for a moment and then slowly nodded. “Alright. But please tell Savva to drive carefully, and try not to fight. All I want is for the pack to be what it once was. You’re best friends…” Her eyes teared up. “Like brothers.”

“We are, and we fight like brothers sometimes too.” I wiped at her tears and kissed her on the head. “Don’t worry. We’ll be okay.”

“Will you though?” Her question was soft, barely more than a whisper.

“We will.” I squeezed her hands. “I promise. And I take my promises very seriously.”

Again she studied me and dipped her head once. “Okay. Take care out there.” Nicolette swiftly wrapped me in a tight hug, clinging to me. As the noise of the snowcat neared the cabin, we parted. “I love you, Ezekiel.”

“I love you too.” One more kiss. Fuck, I wanted a trillion more, but I had to go.

I finished dressing and threw on my boots and coat. The dogs ran to the door as if we were going on a hike, but I shooed them back toward Nicolette. “Hopefully we won’t be too long.”

She waved as I opened the door. The wind whipped hard against me, nearly knocking me over with my injured ankle. From inside, her shout was almost lost in the blizzard’s howl. “Tell Silas and Kodiak I love them too.”

The door slammed shut and I limped to the waiting snowcat.

Nicolette loved me. The feeling carried me through the wicked wind and snow. She loved my best friends too. Those fuckers better learn to make some peace, so we can share the most incredible Omega in the world.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR – Nicolette

I loved them and I had ruined them.

Their pack was in pieces because of me. I heard everything Savva said on the phone. Kodiak and Silas were going to kill one another if I stayed any longer. I would not be the cause of them never speaking again. I refused to be the reason brothers became enemies.

My heart was yanked out as Ezekiel shut the door. It would be the last time I ever saw him. My God, he was the most thoughtful Alpha, so full of beautiful life. I couldn’t not say goodbye to him the way we did.

Atka and Kavik trotted over to me and nuzzled my hands. Atka turned toward the door as if he wanted me to follow Ezekiel out. Kavik licked my fingers and cocked her head sympathetically.

I scratched their heads before sinking to my knees and hugging them. “Thank you both for making me feel not so alone here. You’re the best dogs ever, and I’m going to miss you so much.”

Atka covered my face in doggy kisses but Kavik gave a small whine.

I wiped my face to get rid of the slobber and realized I was crying too. “Come on, you two. Let me give you some treats and then I need to get going.”

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