Page 27 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

Instead, I squeeze her hand gently. "Anytime, angel."

I force myself to leave before I lean in and kiss her.

Ruby is something special. Something rare and precious and worth taking time with. Worth doing right.

Fuck Garrett for being right.

I am completely and utterly screwed—I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

9

RUBY

My hands shake slightly as I type the message to my bartender, Ash.

Got caught in the storm up at Pine Peak. Long story, but I'm safe. Can you open the bar today? Will explain everything when I get back.

I pause, my thumb hovering over the send button. Should I mention Knox? Ash will want details if I mention a guy. The way Knox saved me last night, carrying me from the freezing darkness into warmth and safety? The way his scent wrapped around me, making me feel protected for the first time in years?

No. Just thinking about it makes me sound overdramatic, and Ash will never let me forget it. So, I add something else.

Some crazy stuff happened with the tour group. Tell you later.

The message sends, and I take a deep breath, letting my head rest against the bathroom wall as I stand there. The mirror shows me what a mess I am—hair barely contained in its messy ponytail, my extra sweater I brought with me in my backpack hanging off one shoulder, and my amber eyes too bright with leftover adrenaline and lingering fear from last night.

From downstairs, Knox's voice reaches me—deep and authoritative—yet I can't make out his words. Just the sound of him has my stomach bursting with butterflies, which is... inconvenient. A ridiculous reaction. The last thing I need is another Alpha complication in my life. Though the notion that perhaps he might be somehow able to help me with Marcus comes to mind… as does Garrett and our kiss, and I'm suddenly pacing from the door to the shower. How can I be drawn to two guys? Talk about making my life even more complicated. Or is this some kind of side effect from starting to experience initial signs of my heat?

I push those aside because, first, I have some bitches to deal with.

I straighten my shoulders, channeling Aunt Eve's steel-spine energy.In life, you need to stand up for yourself,she always said.No matter how uncomfortable, how terrifying it makes you. Because if you can't face your demons, honey, they'll eat you alive.

Downstairs, the main room falls quiet when I arrive. James is testing his ankle, grimacing but mobile, while Sarah and Mrs. Peterson hover nearby, ready to catch him. My attention locks onto Kym and Mia, huddled by the fireplace like they're trying to make themselves small.

Good. They should be afraid.

"The rescue team should be here in twenty," Knox announces, heading for the front door with James, Sarah, and Mrs. Peterson, who is waving at us. I assume she's decided to take a quick flight off the mountain. "I'll show them the best landing spot. The rest of you wait for my return."

"Well, look who survived the night." As soon as he's gone, Kym's fake-sweet voice cuts through the silence.

The mockery in her tone has my blood boiling, but I keep my voice steady.

"Funny you should ask about last night."

"Is it?" Mia examines her nails.

I step closer, arms tight at my side. "You don't remember locking me outside in a blizzard? Ignoring me while I pounded on the door?"

"Sounds like a bad dream." Kym's smile infuriates me.

"I know it was you two!"

"Do you have proof?"

"You mean besides Knox finding me half-frozen?" I watch their smug expressions falter slightly.

"Have you considered seeing a doctor? It sounds like you sleepwalk," Mia mutters, chin high.

"You could have killed me." My laugh sounds bitter even to my own ears. "But I guess that was the point, wasn't it? Can't have some Omega catching Knox's attention."

---