Page 5 of Knox's Fate

Ruby's heart skipped a beat as she turned, her eyes locking with a pair of intense brown ones. It was Knox, the mysterious and alluring man she had met. He stood in the doorway, his tall, broad-shouldered frame filling the entrance. His dark hair was slightly disarrayed, as if he had been running his hands through it in frustration or desire. Ruby's breath caught as she took in his ruggedly handsome features, accentuated by the shadow of a beard along his strong jawline.

"I couldn't help but follow the scent of your baking,” he said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. "It's like you're luring me in with every batch of cookies."His words were playful, but there was an underlying intensity in his gaze that made Ruby's knees weak. She thought Knox was a man of few words, but his presence spoke volumes.

"Well, you're welcome to indulge,"Ruby replied, her voice a little hoarse as she tried to regain her composure."I just finished setting everything up. Please, help yourself."She gestured towards the island, her eyes never leaving his. Knox took a step forward, his movements deliberate and purposeful. He picked up a cookie, taking a bite and closing his eyes as he savored the taste.

"Delicious,"he murmured, his lips curving into a satisfied smile."But I didn't come here just for the food."As he spoke, he began to move closer, his gaze fixed on Ruby's lips. She felt her pulse quicken, her body responding to his unspoken desire. Without breaking eye contact, Knox reached out and gently took the plate from her hand, setting it aside.

"You're even more tempting than these treats," he whispered, his warm breath caressing her cheek. Ruby's heart raced as she felt his strong hands on her waist, pulling hercloser. His touch sent sparks of anticipation through her body, and she could feel her resolve melting away.

"I want you, Ruby,"Knox confessed, his voice low and raw with longing."But I want to do this my way."With that, he spun her around, his hands firmly guiding her to the kitchen counter. Ruby's breath caught in her throat as she felt the cool granite against her palms. Knox's fingers deftly unbuttoned her blouse, his touch sending shivers down her spine. He exposed her to the cool air, his hands trailing down her back, eliciting a soft moan from her.

"You're so beautiful,"he growled, his hot breath on her neck sending tingles down her body."I've been dreaming of this moment, of having you here, under my control."Ruby could feel her cheeks flush at his words, a mixture of excitement and nervousness coursing through her. She had never been with a man like Knox, a man who exuded such raw, untamed desire.

Knox's hands moved to her hips, urging her to bend forward slightly. She complied, her heart pounding as she felt his erection pressing against her through their clothing. He turned her to face him, his hands traveled up her sides, cupping her breasts and squeezing before gently pinching her only mildly stiffened peaks. Ruby arched into his touch, her nipples hardening further at his skilled caress.

"That's it, beautiful,"he encouraged, his voice a low rumble."Let me see how much you want this."

With a deft motion born of having his commands obeyed, Knox pressed down on her shoulders, lowering her to her knees. He unfastened his belt and fly, freeing his rigid length. Ruby's eyes widened as she saw the impressive size of his erection, her mouth watering at the thought of taking him in.

"Suck me, Ruby,"he commanded, his voice thick with arousal."Show me how much you want it."

She didn't need to be told twice. Ruby’s hands reached for his straining cock. She stroked him gently, her fingers barely able to fully wrap around his thickness. With a soft moan, she leaned forward, her full lips brushing against the head of his cock.

Knox let out a guttural groan as Ruby took him into her warm, wet mouth. She swirled her tongue around the tip, tasting his salty pre-cum and relishing the feel of his length against her tongue. She took him deeper, her throat relaxing to accommodate his size. Knox's hands tangled in her hair, guiding her rhythm as he began to thrust gently, his hips moving in a slow, steady pace.

"Fuck, that's it,"he grunted, his breath coming in short gasps."Suck me like you mean it, Ruby."

She obeyed, her lips and tongue working in unison, creating a wet, sloppy symphony around his shaft. Knox's eyes were closed, his head thrown back as he surrendered to the pleasure she was providing.

Ruby's mouth moved up and down his length, her hands caressing his balls, gently massaging them as she pleasured him. She could feel his control slipping, his body tensing with the effort to hold back. Knox's breathing became more labored, his hips moving faster, driving his cock deeper into her mouth.

"I'm close, Ruby,"he warned, his voice strained."I'm gonna come, and I want you to swallow every drop."

As Ruby finally slipped into a deeper sleep, one thought clung to her mind, clear and unshakable: Knox Wilder was no fleeting presence. He was already etched into her life, and somehow, she knew it was only just beginning.

CHAPTER 4

KNOX

Ten Years Ago

Knox lay prone, his body molded to the earth as if he were part of the rugged terrain itself. The desert sun beat down on his back, its heat nothing compared to the simmering focus burning within him. His heartbeat was a steady metronome syncing with the rhythm of patience and precision that being an Army Ranger sniper demanded.

Through the scope of his high-powered rifle, the target appeared deceptively tranquil, unaware of the eyes that locked onto him from a mile away. This terrorist, known for slipping through the fingers of justice like water, had become Knox's singular mission—a symbol of the untouchable becoming touchable under his watch.

A whisper of wind caressed his cheek, and he adjusted for it with an almost imperceptible shift. His finger hovered over the trigger, every sense attuned to this moment of finality. Then, with the quiet exhale of breath and the gentle squeeze that followed, Knox unleashed the bullet that would find its mark with lethal grace. The target crumpled, and in the stillness that ensued, Knox understood and felt the consequences of his actions—all of them, both good and bad—and yet, no remorse.It was his duty—his contribution to something greater than himself.

Present Day

Knox Wilder’s return to Silver Falls had been stained with blood and vengeance. The night was etched into his memory—a full moon casting stark shadows across the forest floor as he tracked the poachers who had taken his father's life. His senses, heightened by both his military training and the bear within, led him unerringly to their campsite. They were laughing around a fire, unaware of the retribution that stalked them through the darkness.

There was no hesitation in Knox's movements, no second-guessing the necessity of justice. He was the Alpha now, the protector of his clan, and this was personal. Each man met a swift end at Knox’s hands, their pleas for mercy lost amidst the rustling leaves and the growls rumbling deep in his chest. He left the forest that night with his father's spirit avenged and the heavy knowledge that violence was an inescapable part of who he was—both man and beast.

In the years since, much had changed. The vast Colorado sky stretched above Silver Falls, painting a stark contrast to the barren lands where Knox had once lain. Here, amid the dense forests and cascading waterfalls, he existed in a world where the line between man and beast blurred into legend.

Knox's younger brother, Bodie, had followed in his footsteps, driven by the same call to serve, while their sister, Coco, found her battlefield in the art galleries of nearby cities, capturing the wild beauty of their kind with every stroke of her brush.

But Knox had sought solitude in the embrace of nature and the honor of protecting those unable to protect themselves. His prowess as a sniper had been more than just skill—it was an extension of the bear within him, solitary and formidable.

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