Page 26 of Knotting With A Stranger

Her words hit something deep inside me. How many times had Vanessa talked about needing an Alpha who could provide properly? About status and security and all the things that had nothing to do with actual connection?

The woman beside me seems different. No artifice, no agenda. Just someone who knows who she is and what she wants.

It’s more attractive than any designer perfume or practiced smile.

“You’re different,” I say before I can stop myself.

“Than what?”

“Than anyone I’ve met up here.” I correct automatically, my focus split between her and the treacherous road. “Most people see the mountains as something to conquer. You talk about them like they’re home.”

“Maybe because they are.” She looks out at the swirling snow. “I mean, not these exact mountains. But this life. The small town, the family business, the quiet beauty of it all. Some people might see it as settling for less. I see it as choosing what matters.”

Thor whines softly, pressing closer to her, and I swear he’s as caught by her quiet conviction as I am.

“Though right now,” she adds with a grin. “I’m seriously reconsidering my life choices. Including the one about driving in this weather.”

“Nah, that was a great choice. Led you to us, didn’t it?”

My response sounds flirtatious, but her laugh makes it worth it. “Smooth. Very smooth. Do all mountain men have such good lines, or are you special?”

“Definitely special. Just ask Thor.”

“Ah yes, my new best friend.” She rubs his ears again. “Though I’m not easily impressed by flattery. Even if it comes with fur and puppy dog eyes.”

“What about hot chocolate and a warm fire?”

“Now that... that might work.”

I cut her another look at the way she stares ahead, confused, the small crease on her brow as she focuses on the blurred road ahead of us.

I shut down that thought quickly. She’s stranded, possibly in shock, and definitely vulnerable. The last thing she needs is some Alpha getting territorial just because she smells like everything good in the world and laughs at his jokes.

But damn if it isn’t tempting.

The wind howls louder as we climb higher, the truck’s powerful engine straining against the conditions. Most vehicles would have given up miles ago, but I’ve modified this one specifically for mountain rescue. Though, usually, I’m not rescuing anyone quite so intriguing.

“Almost there,” I tell her as we round the last bend. “Fair warning… my friends can be a bit...”

“Axe murdery?”

“I was going to say intense, but sure, let’s go with that.”

She giggles, and I adore that sound. “Well, as long as they’re equal opportunity psychos. I’d hate to think I drove all this way just to end up in some gender-specific crime scene.”

The laugh bursts out of me unexpectedly. “You really aren’t afraid of much, are you?”

“Oh, I’m afraid of plenty.” She strokes Thor’s fur absently. “Heights. Spiders. My sister when someone messes up her kitchen organization system. But I figure if you’re going to possibly die in a snowstorm, you might as well go out with good jokes.”

“You’re not going to die.” The words come out more growled than intended.

She blinks at me, then smiles slowly. “No, I’m not. Because you found me.”

The simple trust in those words does something to my chest I’m not ready to examine. Vanessa never trusted me like that—always questioned, always doubted, always looked for something better.

But this unexpected woman who talks to my dog and makes jokes about axe murderers... she trusts me after knowing me for less than an hour.

It’s fucking terrifying when no other Omega has made me feel anything until now. And it’s possibly the most attractive thing I’ve ever encountered.

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