Page 40 of Knot Sharing the Ice

I nod, hope blooming in my chest. "You think we have a chance?"

Before Carter can answer, Adder's voice calls out softly. "Guys? She's out cold. We should probably figure out our next move."

We make our way back to the nest, settling down on the edges. Ember doesn't even stir, her breathing deep and even. I resist the urge to reach out and brush a stray lock of hair from her face, afraid I'll disturb her.

"So," Mason says, his voice low to avoid waking Ember. "What's the plan? We can't exactly keep her here against her will once the roads are clear."

No, we can't.

We definitely can't do that.

It's wrong to kidnap your mate, even if you keep her in a luxurious house plied with everything she could ever want and spend every moment worshiping her.

Fuck, no. Bad alpha.

"Maybe we could turn the ice rink into fake snow somehow," I quip, trying to lighten the mood. "Make this last a little longer."

The others chuckle, but it's a hollow sound.

We all know what's really at stake here.

"In all seriousness," Adder says, his tone grave. "We need to be prepared for the possibility that Ember might want nothing to do with us after this. We have to respect her wishes, whatever they may be."

The thought sends a spike of pain through my chest, but I know he's right. We can't force this, no matter how much we might want to.

We all fall silent, each lost in our own thoughts. I can't help but replay every moment with Ember in my mind—her fiery determination on the ice, the way she melted into our touches, the sound of her laughter.

The thought of losing all that, of never experiencing it again, is unbearable.

"We should talk to her," Carter says finally. "When she wakes up. Lay all our cards on the table and see where she stands."

Adder nods. "Agreed. But we have to be prepared for any outcome. If she wants to walk away, we let her go. Somehow."

The words hang heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the reality we're facing. But as I look at Ember, peaceful and beautiful in her sleep, I can't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

She chose to trust us.

To let us in despite her reservations.

That has to mean something, right?

I settle back against the nest, my eyes never leaving Ember's sleeping form. Whatever happens when she wakes up, whatever she decides, I know one thing for certain.

Meeting her has changed everything.

And I'll do whatever it takes to keep her in our lives, even if it's not in the way I desperately want.

The way Ineed.

As sleep starts to tug at my own consciousness, I make a silent promise to myself—and to Ember. We'll show her that we're worth taking a chance on. That what we have is more than just biology or heat-fueled lust. That we can be the pack she deserves.

If only she'll let us.

With that thought, I finally let my eyes close, drifting off to the sound of Ember's steady breathing and the warmth of my packmates around me.

For now, in this moment, everything is perfect.

And I'll hold onto that feeling for as long as I can.

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