Page 49 of Knot Sharing the Ice

Too many parents do that—especially with omegas.

I saw that firsthand with some of my little sister's friends. Our family always made sure she knew she'd be loved and supported, no matter what she wanted out of life.

But I learned pretty early on that most omegas aren't so lucky.

As we make small talk with Ember's parents, I can't help but notice the way Ember's sister, Taylor, is watching us. She introduced herself the other day at the Christmas tree lot when we were helping Mason's mom pick out a tree.

And while she didn't say anything explicitly, I know Ember must have told her something for her to even approach us.

I give her a nod, and she smiles, waving back over a glass of eggnog. There's a knowing glint in her eye, a slight smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.

It's clearsheknows more than she's letting on.

That's... promising, actually.

If Ember told her sister about us, about what happened during the storm, it means she's at least considering this.

Consideringus.

The thought sends a surge of dangerous hope through me.

I'm about to try and catch Taylor's eye, maybe strike up a conversation, when a hush falls over the room. I turn, following everyone's gaze, and?—

Oh.

Oh,fuck.

Ember stands at the top of the stairs, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe. She's wearing a red velvet mini dress that hugs every curve, black tights accentuating the length of her legs. Her dark hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders, and even though she looks like royalty, there's a hint of nervousness in her eyes as she surveys the room.

When her gaze lands on us, on me, I see the tension leave her shoulders. A small smile plays at her lips, and I have to physically restrain myself from going to her, from gathering her in my arms and never letting go.

She's beautiful.

She's always beautiful, but there's something different about seeing her here, in her childhood home, surrounded by the people who love her most in the world.

It feels... intimate.

Like she's letting us see a part of her that few others get to witness.

As she descends the stairs, greeting her family with hugs and kisses, I'm struck by the magnitude of what's happening here. She's invited us into her world, into the heart of her family. She's giving us a chance, despite all her reservations, despite all the ways she's been hurt before.

I swear to myself, right then and there, that I will do everything in my power to be worthy of that trust. To be the kind of alpha—the kind ofman—that Ember deserves.

When she finally makes her way to us, her scent washes over me like a tidal wave. Candy and warmth and home. It takes everyounce of self-control I possess not to bury my face in her neck, to breathe her in until she's all I know.

"Hi," she says softly, a hint of shyness in her voice that I've never heard before. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world, Cotton Candy," Jayce says with a wink, and I have to bite back a growl at the way Ember's cheeks flush at the nickname.

Before I can say anything, Mrs. Westbrook claps her hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone! Dinner's ready. Let's eat before it gets cold."

As we follow the crowd into the dining room, I feel a small hand slip into mine. I look down to see Ember looking up at me, a mix of emotions swirling in her eyes.

"Thank you," she whispers, so softly I almost miss it. "For being here. For... everything."

I squeeze her hand gently, wishing I could pull her close, could show her exactly how much her words mean to me.

But this isn't the time or place.

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