Page 25 of Knot So Sweet

But then reality crashed back in, bringing with it the weight of everything I had to protect. The Den, the Hounds, the danger looming over me and the people I cared about. I couldn’t afford to lose focus. I couldn’t afford to let my body rule over my mind, no matter how much it screamed for them.

I straightened, steeling myself and pushing back against the arousal that clouded my mind. I met Viper’s gaze head-on, forcing my voice to be steady, though it trembled at the edges.

"If you’re going to help me, help me," I said, almost pleading. "But don’t toy with me. Please."

Viper’s smirk softened, his expression shifting into something unreadable. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a flicker of respect in his eyes, but it was gone too fast for me to be certain.

He released his grip on my chin, his fingers trailing down my throat in a way that made my breath hitch, even though I tried to stay calm.

"Fair enough, sweetheart," he said, his tone taking on a more serious edge. "We’ll help you. Tomorrow." His voice dipped lower, darker, a teasing edge curling around his next words. "But tonight… we’re not done with you. Not by a long shot."

Ghost’s arms slowly slid away from me, leaving a chill in their absence. Though his presence still felt like a weight on my chest. His gaze, intense and unwavering, lingered on me, like he was making a silent claim. "You’re ours, Candi," he said, his voice soft but firm, like a vow. "Whether you realize it or not."

I swallowed hard, the weight of their words sinking deep into my chest, settling there like a stone. A part of me wanted to deny it, to fight back. But the truth was, I didn’t have time for this. Not now. Not with everything unraveling around me.

And yet, as I stood there, caught between two alphas who could undo me with just a touch, I couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe they were right. That I really couldn't deny this.

But I still had to get through tonight. And I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold on.

Chapter 12

Viper

She was stunning, trappedbetween us, teetering on the edge of surrender. So close to giving in to her own wicked desires. The tension crackled like electricity, thick and heady inthe air. I could feel it—hell, I could practicallytasteit. A wicked smile tugged at my lips.

Fight all you want, sweetheart. You will surrender.

The fire inside her was ready to ignite. Wild, and so fucking beautiful. I was going to stoke that flame until it consumed us all.

Her pupils were blown wide, her black lips parted as she panted through her indecision, her body betraying every ounce of resistance she had left. A light flush painted her cheeks, making her look even more delicious.

The sight of her made my pulse quicken. I couldn’t wait to watch that blush spread across her entire body, to see her writhe beneath me in pleasure.

My palms roamed over her generous curves, soft and warm beneath my hands. I pulled her closer, needing the heat of her against me, needing to feel her surrender, inch by inch. Even with her clothes still between us, her skin burned under my touch, and it only made me want her more.

Ghost's fingers traced along her neck, his touch possessive, marking her with his pine scent. I watched him. Every movement, every caress, feeding the growing, visceral excitement thrumming through me.

His scent mingled with hers, creating a heady, primal cocktail that drove me wild. The way his hands claimed her, squeezing her breasts, marking her, made my blood run hotter. The more he touched her, the more she shivered and trembled, and it made me harder than I cared to admit.

"Let go, Candice," I growled, my voice rough with need as I gripped her hips, pressing her against me. I forced my knee between her thighs, and her jasmine scent thickened, wrapping around me like the sweetest kind of temptation.

Ghost wasn’t far behind. His hand slid to her chin, gripping it firmly and forcing her head back against his chest.

Ghost's voice was a low growl, primal and dark as he tilted her chin up, his fingers firm, but tender against her jaw. "You are so much more than a toy, princess," he whispered into her ear, his breath brushing against her skin. "You’re our obsession. Our temptation. We could break you... but I think you’d burn brighter if you let us set you free."

Her body tensed, her scent thickening with a potent mixture of fear and arousal, and it sent a thrill straight through me. Her fighting with every ounce of resistance she had left, only made my blood boil hotter. The way her curves fit so perfectly against us, the way her chest heaved with each panting breath—it was intoxicating.

Shewas intoxicating.

Ghost’s hands roamed down her sides, his grip rougher now, bolder, as he tested her boundaries. I watched, every inch of me humming with a possessive hunger as he kissed the side of her neck, his lips grazing her pulse point. The sight of her head tipped back, eyes fluttering shut as she fought to maintain control, had my own patience wearing thin.

"Do you feel that, sweetheart?" I leaned in, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. My hand slid over her thigh, pulling her closer, locking her against my knee. "Your body knows what it wants. It’s begging for it. Begging for us."

She shuddered at my words, her soft whimper only stoking the fire inside of me. I had her. We had her. It was only a matter of time before she stopped fighting herself and surrendered to us completely.

"Give in," I urged, my voice rough with the force of my desire. "Let us show you what it means to belong to us. Let us make you feel everything."

Her lips parted as her chest rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths. Ghost’s hands tightened on her, dragging her impossibly closer to him, while my fingers teased the hem of herskirt. Every barrier between us felt like a sin, and I was ready to tear them all down, to feel her bare skin under my palms, to mark her as ours.

---