Page 32 of Knot Dead Yet

I blinked and stared at him. “What does that mean?”

Casimir gave me a tight smile. “It’s a Russian saying. Fear impedes your ability to do things. The fear might be real, but it should not keep you from stepping into the forest.”

A strange thing to say, but it was encouraging. “Or, don’t fear the wolves, be a wolf.”

His grin grew and he let out a small low laugh. “I like that much better.”

It was a short drive to the Fort Garry Hotel, and Casimir sped around to the front, not turning off the car as he hopped out. He handed the keys and some money to a valet who joggedover to him. The guy thanked Casimir as he handed him a valet ticket and looked more than eager to drive the Porsche into the lot.

We all but ran inside, and I followed him up the stairs to the second floor. “She’s in the grand suite.”

Casimir took me right to the door and knocked. When there was no answer, he rapped harder. “Kienna.”

Another minute went by with no answer. It seemed hard to catch my breath and perspiration dotted my forehead. Panic was beginning to grip me. Something wasn’t right. I felt it. My instincts were never wrong. And if Kienna wasn’t here at the hotel, that meant she was in trouble elsewhere. If she was flying, the plane could be having problems, or she could be lost at an airport or being harassed by some other Alpha. It didn’t help my spiraling imagination that there was a serial killer in Winnipeg at the moment. The fact she could need help and not be where we could get to her filled me with dread.

I had to know. Casimir banged on the door again.

Looking back and forth down the hall, I waved to a passing hotel employee. “Excuse me, miss. Hi.” I hoped I didn’t look as frazzled as I felt. “We went out for a bit and forgot the keycard. His girlfriend is in there, but we think she’s in the shower and can’t hear us. You wouldn’t happen to be able to let us in, would you?”

The woman who was maybe twenty years older than me studied me and frowned. “I think perhaps you should wait until the young lady answers…” Her eyes then widened as she suddenly smiled. “You’re Alderic Fournier, aren’t you? That goal tonight was spectacular!”

I smiled and dipped my head. “Thank you…” I peeked at her name tag. “Belinda. Are you a fan?”

“Isn’t everyone in Winnipeg? My brother drives the zamboni at the arena, and he keeps me updated on everythingas it’s happening since I can’t watch as I work.” She laughed and peered at Casimir. “Oh, and you’re the defenseman. You have an excellent team this year. You’ll win the Calder Cup, I know it!”

“Always a pleasure to meet a fan.” Casimir smiled and motioned to the door. “My girlfriend, Miss Kienna Birk, this is her room. She has pink hair…”

“Yes, I know who you mean. She didn’t come to watch you play?” Belinda inquired.

Casimir glanced at me and I heaved a sigh, continuing on with our little act. “Kienna hasn’t been feeling very well recently. We slipped out after the game to come check on her and see if she needed anything.”

“Ah, poor girl. I haven’t seen her today, but she looked unwell the other day, and she’s been ordering a lot of room service.”

She was still there! We had to get in.

“So, do you think you could open the door for us? We would greatly appreciate it.” I kept my voice neutral. I couldn’t let her know how desperate I was to get into the suite.

“Of course. You’re respectable young men, and so sweet for taking care of Miss Birk. Her father is a gentleman, but he’s been so busy—as you know with him being the new owner—and I know he’d worry if no one was looking in on her.” Belinda took out a key card from her pocket and swiped it through the reader. It beeped and turned green. It took all my willpower not to push past her and run inside right then. “There you go. Good luck with the rest of the finals. The Flurry has no chance against the Rampage this year!”

“Thank you very much.” Casimir bowed his head. He held the door open, gesturing for me to go inside first.

“Yes, thank you, Belinda. Your support for the team means the world to us.”

I might have offered her an autograph or to take a picture with us, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Entering the dark suite, the lamp near the entry turned on automatically and illuminated Kienna’s coat on the nearest chair.

My stomach tightened and urgency drove me farther in. Kienna was here and she needed help. Time to show her that a Beta was as worthy to be with as an Alpha.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN – Kienna

The hurricane of pain battered me from head to toe. If I thought Winnipeg was hell before, the devils torturing me made it very clear now.

The ache to be knotted was, of course, most extreme in the place I wanted to be knotted, but the agony rang through my entire body. I couldn’t think. I could barely walk to get to the bathroom. I tried to eat but my stomach roiled and wouldn’t allow me to keep anything down.

And I couldn’t let anyone know.

Worst part was that I wasn’t even at the climax of my heat yet. It was only like the third or fourth day. Who knew what time it was! Not me. There was still another three to five, or fuck, six days left.

I curled up with no clothes on in the middle of my bed. I’d been on the couch, on the floor, under the bed, and in the empty tub. Nothing was comfortable. None of it helped.

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