Page 21 of Knox's Fate

Night was beginning to gather, and the darkness shrouded their position like a thick cloak that hid both predator and prey. He motioned to his men, a silent command that had them spread out in a semi-circle, their forms blurring as they prepared to shift.

"Take them alive if you can, but don't let them near the compound," he rumbled, the growl that rumbled through his chest barely human.

As the mists that accompanied a shift coiled and twisted around them, Knox's men transformed into their true selves—towering grizzlies with coats that seemed to swallow the moonlight. The forest erupted into chaos as the intruders became aware of their presence and charged through the underbrush. Claws ripped through flesh, teeth snapped against bone, and savage roars echoed through the air.

Knox charged at the leader of the invaders, his strength undeniable. Each strike of his massive paw was precise, each bite aimed to disable without killing. He was the alpha, the protector of his clan, and he would not allow these outsiders to threaten his territory.

His men fought with equal ferocity and skill, driven by their loyalty to their clan and their home. It was a brutal, primal battle of dominance and survival. But under Knox's leadership, they were an unstoppable force, and soon, their enemies realized they would not be the victors and retreated back into the shadows.

Panting, Knox shifted back to his human form, his skin glistening with sweat and the remnants of battle. The silence of victory was heavy, punctuated only by the ragged breaths of his warriors. While it might have been nice to capture and questionone, Knox wasn’t willing to risk it. This group might have been some kind of distraction or feint.

"Let's get back," he said, his voice gravelly with exertion. "We need to make sure everyone's safe."

As they returned to the compound, the burden of leadership weighed heavily on Knox. While they hadn’t lost anyone, some of them had been injured, though not nearly as severely as their opponents. After checking to ensure anyone injured was being cared for and sending out patrols to ensure their continued safety, Knox texted Beckett that all was secure, but they knew little more than they had before.

As he entered his lodge, Coco came down the stairs to greet him. “Everyone okay?” she asked.

“Some a little worse for wear, but nothing serious.”

“Who were they? What did they want?”

“Still unknown. Where’s Ruby?”

“I sent her to your room. She was exhausted. I thought maybe she’d lie down after dinner, but I think mainly she’s paced the floor, worried about you.”

“Did she have dinner with the rest of the clan?”

Coco nodded. “She insisted. She told Agatha she didn’t want to make extra work for anyone and didn’t need special treatment. Come to think of it, she’s made herself useful all day. She joined Agatha and her people in the kitchen and cooked right alongside of them. When Agatha found out she liked to bake, she put her in charge of the cookies.” Coco laughed. “She became very popular with the children, and she makes the best oatmeal butterscotch cookies.”

Knox grinned. Leave it to Ruby to find a way not only to fit in but to help. “Thanks Coco. I’ll be in my room.”

Climbing the stairs, he wondered why the simple task seemed to take so much longer than it usually did. Inside thesafety of his private chambers, he faced Ruby. Her eyes held a mixture of fear and awe.

"Are you okay? Your people?”

“We’re all fine. I understand you pitched in and helped. Thank you for that. It’s tough on everyone who isn’t in the thick of it. Baking cookies helped probably more than you know. Grizzlies have a notorious sweet tooth.”

“I never knew… I mean I have some novels that talk about shifters, but…" she started, but he raised a hand to stop her.

"There's a lot you don't know—about me, about this place, about what happened to your aunt. Can we deal with the easy stuff tonight and let the more complicated things wait until tomorrow?” he asked, his gaze steady. She nodded, and he continued. "As you probably figured out, I'm the alpha of my clan. That means it’s my job to keep our people safe, to keep our existence hidden.”

“How long have you been alpha?”

“Since my father was murdered by poachers. My responsibility is something I've carried alone ever since I became alpha."

Ruby stepped closer, her presence a warmth he'd unconsciously craved. "Why alone?"

"Because relationships are difficult when you’re alpha and being called to a human complicates things exponentially.” She raised her eyebrow in question but let him continue. “Humans put us at risk," Knox confessed, his voice a low rumble. "Even if they mean us no harm, they can inadvertently share our secret with those that do. You've seen what we are, what I am…"

He paused, the truth of his past and his duties laid bare before her. "My life, my past, it's full of battles and secrets. I've kept my distance to protect the clan, to uphold the legacy of Silver Falls, and in some ways to protect you. But instead of running for the hills, you’re still here. You not only stayed, butyou pitched in. So, standing here with you, I'm beginning to question if all my reticence has been worth it. I should have said something…"

“We haven’t known each other that long. There was no way for you to know if you could trust me. Although if you’d peeked at my Kindle, you might have given me the benefit of the doubt.”

He reached out to draw her close, lowering his head to kiss her and to find solace in the warmth and comfort she offered. When he raised his head and looked down into her eyes, Knox realized that the fiercest battle he'd ever faced wasn't against another clan or the outside world. It was the fight within himself, to allow someone to share in the burden he'd borne for so long. And as the moonlight filtered through the window, casting a silver glow over both of them, he felt the walls around his heart begin to crumble.

CHAPTER 13

RUBY

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