Page 18 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

"I can carry the first aid kit," Kym announces, pressing close to Knox's free side. "It looks heavy."

"Actually," Knox says. "Could you and Mia help Mrs. Peterson? The trail gets tricky here."

They retreat, whispering furiously, while James groans between Knox and me. The weather's deteriorating rapidly, the wind whipping snow into our faces.

"Nearly there," Knox murmurs, but all I can see around us are trees. "You're doing great, Ruby."

Behind us, I hear Kym's stage whisper to Mia. "Could she be any more desperate?"

I shake my head and ignore them.

With the storm closing in, I have bigger problems than two jealous Omegas.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I have no hands to check it, so it'll have to wait. Finally, we reach the huge wooden cabin which is larger than I anticipated. It's nestled in a clearing of trees covered in snow.

Inside, the main room has couches positioned in front of a fireplace. There's a basic kitchenette and what looks like sleeping quarters and a bathroom through a side door. And another hallway to more rooms. While Knox and I get James settled, I notice Mia and Kym whispering, shooting me venomous looks. I ignore them and recheck James' ankles while Knox grabs the first aid kit and compresses the area with a bandage, while I grab several cushions to elevate his foot.

"Everyone, I'm going to update the base on our arrival," Knox announces. "They will know we're waiting out the storm here. No need to risk rescue teams in this weather for a minor sprain."

James is nodding like he agrees, while Sarah is kneeling at his side, grasping his hand.

I use that moment to check my phone to find three missed calls from my bestie, Lily, and a text that makes my blood run cold.

Marcus was just here asking about you. Said something about making sure you're taken care of. Ruby, what's going on?

The words blur as my vision swims. What the hell does he want now? I quickly message her back that I'm fine and will speak with her later.

Stuffing the phone into my pocket, I glance around to find James lying across one of the couches facing the fireplace, his leg propped up. Knox is throwing more logs into the growing flames, trying to get it to build up.

Being up here in the mountains was my getaway from Marcus, yet seeing Lily's message leaves me feeling cold all over.

"Hey, you okay?" Knox's tone carries genuine concern as he steps closer. "You look a little pale."

While I attempt to focus, everything feels too intense—the cabin's warmth, feeling trapped, and, most of all, Knox's presence getting stronger with each step he takes toward me.

"I'm fine, just..." I sway slightly, and his hand catches my elbow. Even through my jacket, his touch is a tempting fire.

"Come on." His voice drops lower, meant just for me. "Let me make you some hot chocolate. James is resting, and we can't do anything but wait out this storm."

I follow him to the small kitchenette at the rear of the room, watching as he shrugs off his winter gear. Without his bulky jacket and hat, I stare at this hunk. Where Garrett is all broad shoulders and powerful, Knox is athletic and captivating. His dirty blonde hair falls in his eyes as he rummages through cupboards, and the long-sleeved thick t-shirt he's wearing shows off strong arms. A thin leather cord around his neck disappears beneath his collar, and I find myself wondering what hangs on it.

"You're watching me closely," he says without turning around, amusement filling his voice.

"Just trying to picture how you got so tanned in a town like Whispering Grove, where it's snowing more often than not."

"I just got back recently from a surfing competition in Hawaii."

"Seems a long way from mountain guide. How was it?"

He chuckles, and I stare at the dimple in his chin.

"We were up on the north shore of Oahu at Banzai Pipeline. Man, the waves were just beasts… perfect overhead barrels, glassy conditions until the wind picked up." He runs a hand through his salt-bleached hair. "Then these hammerheads decided to crash the party… came in way too close to the lineup. Had to call everyone in."

The way he talks about surfing transforms him—there's this wild freedom in his voice that makes something in me ache—as though he's most alive when he's challenging nature itself.

"Sounds terrifying," I admit.

"Nah, that's the rush of it. Same as climbing, really, just you against the elements."

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