Page 15 of Knot That Delicate

She levelled me with a stern look. "What kind of assholes live in the middle of nowhere, where they can’t even get an Internet connection? That’s weird, right? I’m not crazy—thatisa weird thing."

A rough laugh escaped my chest as I nodded. Rainwater was seeping into all my clothes, soaking me down to my underwear, and I was getting more and more miserable by the second. But still I couldn’t help but chuckle.

"Itisweird, trouble," I admitted. "But we like the solitude. If there’s no Internet and no phone connection, no one can bother us." We weren’t social creatures, like omegas. Alphas could handle solitude with ease, whereas omegas thrived on being social.

She crossed her arms with a grumpy expression. "Fine. I’ll come back with you, but Idemanda weapon," she said, her tone rushed.

I raised my eyebrows at her. "And what, exactly, are you going to do with a weapon?"

"I’m going to stab you if you annoy me," she said with a glare.

I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing at the idea of this fragile little omega taking me down. Even with a knife, she could probably make a valiant effort, but it would ultimately be futile. I could understand her reasoning—she wanted to feel safe—but I wouldn’t feel safe with an unknown person being armed in my home.

"You can stay here if you want to," I said, gesturing to the forest. "And you can try to make friends with all the forest critters. My pack mates are being nice and opening up their home to you. But they’re not arming a stranger—that’s crazy," I said. "But it’s your choice, princess. Take it or leave it."

She lunged forward, punching me in the chest. I wasn’t sure if she intended for it to actually hurt, but it kind of felt more like a twig had blown against my chest.

"Did you just try to hit me?"

"Ididhit you!" Juniper stomped her foot, an actual stomp of her foot. I couldn’t stop myself from grinning, which only angered her further, but she had the punch of a little girl, so I was fine.

"I amnota princess!" she snapped. "Yourdumbasspack mate also called me a princess. What is it with you guys? You’re such misogynistic assholes!"

I raised my hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. You really don’t like that name, do you? Come on, trouble, let’s get you back. Unless, of course, you want to stay and make friends with the mountain lions?"

She quickly glanced around the dense woodland. "There aren’t actually mountain lions, are there?"

"Occasionally," I said. "You’re more likely to run into a bear. Hence, why I always carry bear spray when I come out,” I said, pulling out the small canister from my back pocket. “I’m surprised you didn’t meet any, since there are quite a few around this time of year. They’re about to go into hibernation."

Juniper’s eyes widened as she moved towards me. "Let’s just go back and forget this ever happened," she snarled, stomping off in the direction of the cabin. Or, at least, the direction I came from, which I assume she thought was the direction of the cabin. I spoke up so she could hear me over the thundering rain, "The cabin’s actually that way," I said, pointing in the opposite direction.

She turned and shot me a withering glare before stomping past me. She was adorable, bedraggled, drenched, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her attitude as she made her way back towards the cabin, me hot on her heels.

Ididn’t know what I expected when my pack mate finally returned home with Juniper in tow, but I certainly didn’t expect the tiny omega to come stomping through the living room, plop herself down at the kitchen counter, and glower at Dylan, who was following her. She was once again a mess, with her soggy curls sticking to her head, and her eyes were red-rimmed like she’d been crying. Instantly, I wanted to fix it, but I kept doing what I was doing in the kitchen because I knew that would be the biggest comfort to her.

"You didn’t have to be such a grumpy bastard about it." Juniper glowered at Dylan.

He merely smirked. "You’re the one who went for an adventure all on your own, trouble.I can be as grumpy as I wantto be when I have to leave the nice, warm cabin to come rescue your ass.”

"I don’t like you," Juniper said with a sullen tone.

"Well, I’m not the biggest fan of you, either, trouble," Dylan shot back with a smirk.

I frowned. Dylan was smirking. He was the grumpiest out of all of us—Juniper had that part right—but he really wasn't one for smirking. Then again, he loved a brat. We’d always known that if we ever did find an omega, it needed to be someone who could push back against Dylan’s overpowering nature. We had been isolated for too long, if we were even thinking about this poor girl that way. She had clearly been to hell and back. We didn’t know where she came from or how old she was. We shouldn’t be thinking dirty thoughts about her.

I stirred the pot on the stove, debating whether I should ask why she’d tried to run or leave it be. Tipping the saucepan into a mug, I handed the warm drink over to Juniper, who looked down at it with curiosity.

If I knew anything about omegas, it was that most of them adored sweet treats. I had never met an omega who didn’t love sugary foods, so hot chocolate made with the thickest dark chocolate, ribbons and ribbons of thick cream, and plenty of sugar was just what the doctor ordered. Was it healthy? No. My inner medic was crying that she needed protein, whole wheat carbs, healthy fats, and vegetables. But the alpha in me wanted to make her happy, so hot chocolate it was.

"I’ve also got marshmallows," I said as I pointed to the mug. "Do you want any?"

Juniper looked at the mug for a moment, almost baffled, before shaking her head. "N-n-no," she said. "This is perfect. Thank you."

I grinned, pleased she liked what I’d made. "Drink up," I said. "There’s plenty more where that came from."

I put the pot in the sink and turned to Dylan. "DoesMr. Grumpy Pantswant hot chocolate too?"

He glowered at me and I chuckled. "I’m going to get a shower," he said in a sullen tone, stalking off towards the back of the cabin. Thankfully, we had a generator, so showers, baths, and lights all worked perfectly, even during blackouts.

---