Page 30 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

"For poison oak?" Knox shrugs. "Not really an emergency. You'll just have to tough it out for the walk down. Actions have consequences, after all."

Understanding dawns on their faces as they look between us. Kym's expression turns murderous despite the red blotches covering her neck.

"You bastard," she hisses. "You did this on purpose."

"Let's get moving," Knox mutters without a hint of sympathy. Hell, I adore him at that moment for making them suffer.

He winks at me, and my knees actually go weak. The gesture shouldn't be so attractive, yet it is. Watching him defend me, orchestrate such perfect karmic justice… I might be swooning! No Alpha has ever stood up for me before.

He takes my hand like we're taking a casual stroll rather than hiking down a mountain with two itchy, furious Omegas trailing alongside us.

I hold on to him, trying to ignore how right it feels to touch him.

The rest of the descent passes in a blur of Kym's and Mia's complaints and increasingly desperate scratching. Knox keeps up a steady stream of conversation with me about everything and nothing—favorite hiking trails, best local restaurants, the way the mountains look different in every season. It's easy, natural, as if we've known each other for years instead of hours.

And that's the problem.

I'm starting to like Knox way too much. Like the way he smiles, the dimple in his chin, and the protective rumble in his voice when he talks about keeping people safe on the mountain. Like how he can be both ruthlessly clever and unfailingly kind.

It's dangerous. Terrifying. Everything I swore I'd be careful of.

"Hey," Knox says suddenly, breaking through my thoughts. "Why did the mountain climber bring dental floss on his expedition?"

I eye him suspiciously. "I'm afraid to ask."

"In case he got stuck between two peaks." He grins, looking absurdly pleased with himself.

A startled laugh escapes me before I can stop it. "That's terrible. Like, genuinely awful."

"You laughed, though." His dimple makes an appearance again, and my heart does a somersault.

"How can you possibly be joking right now?" Kym snarls from near us, scratching furiously at her arms. "We're literally dying here!"

"Seriously," Mia chimes in as she claws at her neck. "This is hell. Actual hell. And you, our guide, are doing nothing to help us."

"Right now, my priority is getting everyone safely down before that storm system returns," Knox says, his tone light but firm. "Poison oak's uncomfortable, but hypothermia's worse." He flashes them a smile. "All part of the authentic wilderness experience."

They don't say much more for the rest of the trip… well, not to us, anyway. And that brings me all kinds of joy.

Before long, we're all in Knox's store, where I booked my trekking yesterday morning.

I pretend to be fascinated by the rental return form, but my attention is completely focused on Knox pulling Kym and Mia into the corner of the office. Their faces already show fear.

"What you did?" Knox's voice drops to that dangerous tone that makes my skin prickle. "Wasn't just stupid. It was attempted murder." He takes a step closer to them, shoulders lifting, and even from across the long room, I can tell he's barely holding himself back.

"We didn't—" Kym starts, her voice trembling.

"Shut. Up," he commands. "You think this is a joke? You locked someone outside in subzero temperatures during a snowstorm. Do you have any idea what hypothermia does to a person?" His hands clench at his sides. "Their blood literally freezes. Their organs shut down. They suffer before they die."

Mia starts crying, but Knox shows no mercy.

"You're lucky I'm not pressing charges. Though Ruby might, and trust me, I'll support her every step of the way. That shit you pulled showed exactly who you are." He leans in closer, and both girls shrink back. "You're banned from Pine Peak Adventures. Forever. And if I see either of you anywhere near this place, near me, or God help you, anywhere near Ruby, I'll show you exactly how it feels to be left in the cold."

I risk a glance. Their faces are ghost white. I quickly look away when Kym's gaze finds mine, and I fight back a satisfied smirk as I hand over my borrowed gear.

"Have an amazing time?" the clerk asks cheerfully, oblivious to the tension.

"Oh, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Won't forget it. Ever." I can't keep the sarcasm from my voice.

---