Page 32 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

"I'm quite busy," I manage to Knox, the words tasting like ash. "Maybe not now."

Knox studies me, and I see the moment he recognizes my retreat for what it is. The concern in his eyes makes it worse somehow. Gentleness has always been more dangerous than anger.

Dad's voice echoes in my head, sharp with contempt. "Useless Omegas, both of you. Can't even take a simple correction without crying."

My throat thickens. This is why I'll end up alone. Why I'll probably lose the bar. I can't take a simple risk, can't trust a genuine smile, can't stop seeing Mom's bruises every time an Alpha shows interest. I'm so fucking tired of being broken.

"How about you think about it?" Knox says softly, taking my hand. The touch is gentle, but my pulse still spikes. He pulls a pen from his pocket and starts writing on my palm. "If you change your mind, message me."

He winks, and God help me, I melt all over again. Yet, I'm exhausted from fighting this constant war between want and fear, trapped in my own cage. The key is right there, but my hands shake too much to use it.

"They'll charm you first."Mom's voice whispers in my memory. "Make you feel special, wanted. Then they own you."

"Of course," I finally answer Knox, forcing brightness into my tone. The numbers on my palm seem to burn.

"Well, I better let you go." His smile hasn't dimmed. "I hope to hear from you."

He strolls back down the street, winter sunlight catching on his hair, making him look like something out of a dream. A fucking great dream. The kind I'm not allowing myself to have.

"What is wrong with you?" I whisper once he's out of sight. The answer is right here, walking away, and I'm still frozen in place, still hearing Mom's warnings, still feeling phantom pain from wounds that aren't even mine.

I push through the familiar bar door, and the bell's jingle is loud.

There, perched on a barstool as if he owns it, is Marcus. His smile spreads slow and cruel when he spots me.

Dread drops through me. All the warmth from my walk with Knox vanishes in an instant.

I recall Knox's story about the Snow Woman, thinking that sometimes, the monsters aren't in the mountains at all.

10

RUBY

Two weeks. Fourteen days until the will's conditions expire, and every time I see Marcus, I'm reminded of the looming deadline.

His shark-like grin greets me from the bar, and something inside me snaps. Maybe it's the whole situation up in the mountains. After years of swallowing my mother's fears, of seeing her broken and bloody on our kitchen floor, of hearing my father's contempt—useless Omega, just like your mother—I'm done. Fucking done.

"I don't have time for you," I bark, marching toward the bar, where Ash shoots me a concerned look. The afternoon sun slants through the stained-glass windows, painting Marcus in sickly shades of red and purple. Fitting.

"You okay, boss?" Ash asks, already moving closer.

Marcus leans over the polished wood as I move behind the bar, his expensive cologne stinking up the place and that predatory grace irritating me. His perfectly tailored suit probably costs more than I make in a month.

"Having a tantrum? I can fix all this stress for you, Omega. Just hand over the bar now, stop worrying your pretty little head?—"

"Get the fuck out of my bar, you piece of shit!" I yell, my anger flying past my lips.

Marcus's mouth actually drops open.

"You heard me," I snap, heat rising in my chest. "I don't need to be nice to you now or ever, so leave before I have Ash toss you out. And trust me, he'll make it hurt."

Marcus's smile turns wide, reminding me so much of my father, it makes my stomach turn.

"Such language from our little Omega bartender. Though I shouldn't be surprised… you always were uncouth. Just like your mother." He places a hand over his heart, and the gesture is as fake as his concern. "I came to offer you a position when you lose this place. That's what family does."

I'm shaking now, teeth grinding so hard my jaw aches. "Shove your offer up your ass. Ash, show him the door."

He steps forward, but Marcus raises his hands, backing away. The fury in his eyes makes my skin crawl.

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