Page 21 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

The powdered sauce and boiled noodles mix with beef jerky chunks—Knox's suggestion to add protein—while canned green beans and stale crackers round out our five-star mountain cuisine dinner. Still, after the day's hike and drama, even this basic meal feels like heaven. And hot chocolates for dessert.

Outside, it's pitch black with the storm howling while we gather around the fireplace, its warmth the only real comfort in this situation. Mrs. Peterson has claimed one of the couches, stretching her legs across it, while Sarah sits on my couch and James on another one, with his ankle propped up. Mia and Kym arrange themselves artfully opposite me. Knox is currently at the rear of the room, checking in with the base on the radio.

"I just think it's sad," Mia says loudly to no one in particular. "When people don't respect boundaries."

Kym nods sagely. "Or established relationships."

I shove another forkful of mac and cheese in my mouth to keep from responding. The cheap pasta tastes like cardboard and spite.

"Some people just don't understand their place," Sarah chimes in, surprising me. When did she join Team Bitch Girls?

The fork freezes halfway to my mouth. "I'm sorry, what exactly are you implying?"

"Oh, she speaks!" Mia's fake surprise would win her a high school drama award. "We thought you only talked to Alphas."

"Only specific Alphas," Kym adds with a sneer.

James shifts uncomfortably. "Hey, maybe we should?—"

"It's fine," Sarah cuts him off, and I get up to set my plate on the table before I'm tempted to throw it. It's also when I notice Knox is still on the phone, not paying attention to our conversation, though I wish he would.

Back on the couch, they're all watching me, clearly waiting for my response.

"I'm used to people making assumptions about me. Though usually, they're better at it."

"Was that a threat?" Mia sits up straighter.

"An observation." I force my voice to stay casual. "Like how I've observed you two throwing yourselves at Knox all day with zero success. Must be frustrating."

Kym's face turns an interesting shade of purple. "You little?—"

"Everything okay out here?" Knox's voice cuts through the tension. "Radio says the storm's settling in for the night."

"Perfect!" Mia's transformation from fury to sugar would give me whiplash if I wasn't so nauseated by it. "We saved you a spot."

Knox drops into the space they make for him between them, and they immediately press closer like bookends. The sight shouldn't bother me, but it irritates me to no end.

"I found some games in the back," he continues, seemingly oblivious to the way Kym's practically in his lap. "And books, if anyone's interested. We should also figure out sleeping arrangements - there are five single beds in the back room. James has one, obviously. And Sarah next to him, perhaps?"

She nods eagerly.

"One for me," Mrs. Peterson quickly pipes up.

"I'll take a couch," I offer. Anything to avoid being trapped in a room with my new fan club.

Knox stares at the two girls. "You both take the last beds?"

"Where will you be staying," Mia coos, batting her eyelashes at him.

"The couch since I want to keep watch on the weather."

"Then we'll stay, too!" Kym announces. "In case you need help. Plus, it's so much warmer here."

Great. Just great.

While part of me contemplates going into the bedroom, I feel safer near Knox. Especially seeing Sarah turned against me, too.

Knox shrugs. "Sure. Your choice. Okay, that's settled. Now, anyone want to hear a story?" Knox asks, and something in his voice makes me lean forward despite myself. "There's an old legend about these mountains in winter."

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