Page 17 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

I dig my nails into my gloved palms. I'm nothing like her. I'm in control. And if that control is slipping lately... well, that's what the suppressants are for. The website had promised delivery within twenty-four hours, no questions asked. The price made me wince, but maybe it would be worth it to silence these urges, to stop my body from betraying me. Though I'm still not sure yet if I will order any.

"Watch your step here," Knox calls out, extending a hand to help Mrs. Peterson over a rocky section of trail. His thorn tattoo flexes on the side of his neck, and I imagine what it would be like to run my fingers over it.

I catch myself, sighing. What is wrong with me? Was Garrett right that my heat is coming? And now look at me, falling for all the Alphas. I'm no better than Mia and Kym, drooling all over Knox. Heats can come on anytime from eighteen to twenty-five, and I'm at the tail-end of that.

A perky laugh nearby pulls me from that dangerous train of thought. Sarah, the Omega from the young couple, is practically glowing as James helps her over the same rocky patch. She leans into his touch like she can't help herself, like his presence is gravity, and she's happily in orbit. He stares at her like she's the only person on the mountain, his hand protective at the small of her back. They move in perfect sync, lost in their own little world.

Something in my chest aches at the sight. For just a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like to have that—to trust someone enough to let them in, to feel safe instead of trapped. To not flinch when an Alpha raises his voice, to not constantly fight my own biology...

"Beautiful view, isn't it?"

I startle at Knox's voice right beside me. When did he get so close? I can see the golden flecks in his blue eyes and the tiny scar above his left eyebrow. He's younger than I initially thought, maybe mid to late twenties.

"I suppose," I manage, stepping away to put some distance between us. My heart is racing, and I'm sure he can hear it. Can probably smell the confusion and want rolling off me in waves. "If you like that sort of thing."

His laugh is low and warm, stirring something primal in my chest. "Not a nature enthusiast?"

"More of an indoor cat." I gesture at my obviously new hiking boots, purchased in a panic at the sporting goods store this morning. "This is... an experiment."

"Trying to shake things up?" His nostrils flare slightly, and I watch his pupils dilate. "Or running from something?"

The question hits too close to home. I open my mouth to deflect, but a shout from ahead breaks the moment. We both turn to see James sprawled on the trail, clutching his ankle. His face is white with pain.

Knox moves instantly. I follow without thinking, my first-aid training from the bar kicking in.

"Everyone stay back. Give him some space," Knox orders, already kneeling beside James. The rest of the group hovers anxiously as Knox checks James’ vitals. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"Slipped on some loose gravel." James voice is tight with pain. "Tried to catch myself, but..."

I drop to my knees on James’ other side, hands already reaching for his ankle. "May I? I have some medical training."

Knox's eyebrows lift slightly, but he nods. Our hands brush as we both support James’ leg, and the contact sends electricity shooting up my arm. His gaze locks with mine for a heartbeat, and the intensity in them makes me shiver.

Focus. The ankle is already swelling, but when I carefully manipulate it, James winces, suggesting a sprain rather than a break. The skin is hot to the touch, but there's no obvious deformity.

"A sprain, I think," I murmur to Knox, fighting to keep my voice steady despite his proximity. "He needs elevation, compression, and ice, but it could have been worse."

"There's a first aid kit about a mile back," Knox states, then frowns at the murky sky. "The weather is coming in faster than anticipated. It shouldn't have reached our town until later tonight."

I follow his gaze to see dark clouds gathering ominously over the peaks. The temperature has dropped noticeably in the last few minutes, and the wind carries the sharp scent of approaching snow. We've got weather coming in.

The wind also brings Knox's scent, and this close, I catch something else in it—something familiar that tugs at my memory. Something that reminds me of old paper and faded ink, of freshly baked apples, and his masculine scent, which leaves me swooning.

"I know this group was supposed to go another three miles," Knox addresses everyone, switching seamlessly into serious mode. His voice carries that Alpha timbre, and I'm catching my breath at how much I enjoy hearing it. "But with James' injury and the weather, we need to evacuate. There's a cabin about a quarter mile ahead—we'll shelter there until the storm passes."

He pulls out his satellite phone, and immediately, Mia edges closer. "Will we be safe there, Knox?" She touches his arm, voice sugary sweet.

"The cabin's fully stocked for emergencies," he says, already making his call. "Let me notify base about our change in plans."

"I can help you with anything you need," Kym offers.

After his phone call, Knox sends Sarah ahead with Mrs. Peterson to prep the cabin while the Henderson couple takes charge of distributing emergency supplies from his pack.

"I'll help with James," Mia volunteers instantly, but Knox shakes his head.

"Ruby has medical training. Ruby, take his left side. I've got his right."

I move into position, catching the daggers Mia and Kym shoot my way. The group clusters together as the temperature plummets, and snow starts to fall more heavily now.

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