Page 23 of Knox's Fate

"Really?" Ruby's voice was barely a whisper, her heart thudding at the thought.

"Really." The cook's affirmation was as solid as the mountains surrounding them. "But be careful, Ruby girl. Hearts are fragile things, especially around here."

With those words hanging in the air, Ruby realized she wanted to explore whatever this was with Knox, to delve into the depths of the connection she felt. There was danger in it, sure—the danger of falling for someone whose world was so different from her own—but wasn't that what life was all about? Taking chances, finding your place, discovering who you were meant to be?

"Thank you," she said to the cook, her voice steady now. "For everything."

"Go on, then. You should take a breather. They probably won’t be back until dark, and Knox will be the last one in." With a gentle push, the cook sent her on her way, and Ruby's steps were light as she made her way through the lodge, noting the big communal dining area, gathering room and other common spaces.

“I hear you’ve been making friends,” said Coco, who she’d found gazing out one of the windows.

“The kids were easy. I had cookies.”

Coco laughed. “Maybe, but Agatha is no pushover, and she has wasted no time in telling people what a gem you are and what a fine first lady to the clan you’ll make.”

“First lady?”

“The mate to the alpha is the first lady of the clan.”

“Knox and I haven’t talked…”

“Of course not. My brother tends to favor action over words. All I ask is that if you don’t feel you could take him on, leave now. I’ll buy your place at a profit to you.”

“I’m not planning on leaving, Coco. I can’t make any guarantees, but I know I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about your brother.”

“Good enough. Come on, I’ll show you around.”

As Ruby followed Coco through the narrow, stone-lined hallways of the clan's home, she couldn't help but feel a web of unease threading through the air, although she didn’t feel as if it were directed at her. As opposed to the times she’d walked through the town, here she felt accepted and not at all like an outsider.

They stopped at an alcove where a window looked out onto a dense thicket of trees that led to the river, which in turn led to Silver Falls. The setting sun cast long shadows over the forest, and for a moment, Ruby was caught in the stark beauty that was both enchanting and foreboding.

"Knox told me a little about your family," Ruby ventured, her gaze still on the horizon. "But he didn't share much."

Coco chuckled. “Typical male bear, and the alphas—whether they lead or not—are the worst.” She leaned against the cool stone wall, her expression distant as if lost in memories. "Our parents were wonderful people—strong and caring. But we lost our mother to poachers when Knox, Bodie and I were just kids. It shattered something in Knox, I think. Our dad was alpha, andit wasn’t until Knox was with the Army Rangers that dad got taken by poachers, as well.”

“Does that happen often?”

“Not really. Most of the shifters here in Silver Falls keep a sharp eye out for poachers and let the others know. You should know when Knox got out of the Army and came home, he hunted down those who were the ones who murdered our father."

Ruby turned from the window, her heart twisting for the pain etched so deeply in Coco’s features. "I'm so sorry, Coco. That's a heavy burden for anyone, especially a child."

"Thank you." Coco's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "And then there's Bodie, the middle child. He's an Army Ranger now, following in Knox's footsteps. I know Knox is proud, but he also worries. And me? I’m the baby. Both of my big brothers will tell you I’m a spoiled brat.”

It was Ruby’s turn to laugh. “And are you?”

“Damn straight."

"Family ties run deep here, don't they?" Ruby said, understanding more about Knox's protectiveness.

"Deeper than the roots of the oldest trees," Coco affirmed.

They stood together in silence until Ruby broached the subject that had been haunting her thoughts. "Coco, what happened to my aunt? No one has really talked about it. I just assumed she died of old age."

The atmosphere turned heavier, like the room itself was bracing for the blow of Coco's words. She hesitated, clearly wrestling with whether to share the grim details.

"I wish I could tell you that were true, and if you were just passing through, I probably would. But I have a sneaky suspicion you’re here to stay. I don’t know one person in town who didn’t love your aunt. When no one had heard from her for a few days, we got worried. It wasn't like her to go silent. A few ofus went to check on her, and..." Coco paused, swallowing hard. "We found her dead. It was brutal; she'd been tortured."

A chill raced down Ruby's spine as the gruesome image seared into her mind. "Tortured?" she whispered, her voice sounding alien in the thickening silence.

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