Page 66 of Knot Her Mountain Men

Bear cupped my cheeks, continuing his breathing until I had aligned mine to it, my heart settling bit by bit to the sound of his purring. When I finally sat back, Pumpkin pawed me for more attention.

“We can figure it out,” Bear signed.

He was so damn soothing in the bond, a veritable wall of affection that kept my lingering panic at bay.

My apartment was only a studio. I hadn’t accounted for a second person, but Bear liked to be outside so maybe it wouldn’t be claustrophobic for him. Pumpkin wouldn’t be able to join us. And the others…

“Talk to me,” Bear signed, his eyebrows furrowed, concern flowing down the bond.

“I wasn’t planning on ever havinganyonein my life. I know that’s not very omega-like of me to say, but I don’t believe in forming my existence around hypotheticals. I never had anyone, so it seemed silly to make choices that accommodated fictional partners.” I tapped my fingertips on the surface of the water, watching the ripples while I collected my thoughts. “A bond can’t be ignored or set aside. I don’t want either of us to suffer, but I’m selfish enough I’m not willing to derail my whole life for it.”

He nodded thoughtfully, giving Pumpkin some scratches under her chin.

“Could we make a new plan?” I asked. “Does one exist where a compromise doesn’t involve one of us giving up everything?”

He watched me for a few moments, considering before lifting his hands from the water. “How far away is your job?”

“Maybe two hours. I’m not exactly sure where we’re located.”

“Weekends and holidays here, work days there? We all want you to stay. No one will stop you from leaving.”

My heart squeezed. This place was practically a fever dream, an alternate universe where I was a wanton omega living the life I had always craved. That seemed too simple. I knew plenty of omegas were financially supported by their packs, but I had watched my mother suffer the financial abuse of my fathers and I was never going to allow myself into that position. I had to work enough to support myself, to be able to leave in case these men ever got body snatched and stopped being sweet.

Keeping my job and apartment and coming back here often seemed like the fairest compromise. “What about the hunts?”

“I won’t go anywhere without you. They last for days and we have to be close for the bond,” Bear signed slowly, brow still furrowed.

“I don’t want you to give up your job either.”

“I can still write for my blog. The others can handle the hunting.”

“You’re sure?”

Bear nodded, pulling me close for a soft kiss, care and desire going off like a fountain in the bond.

Pumpkin gave a disgruntled bark.

“I’m so sorry, Princess Pumpkin. Are you not getting enough attention?” I gave her a ton of scritches until my arms got tired and I was pretty sure she had worn out her tail wag. She flopped down on the bath mat while I settled back into cuddling with Bear.

“Uh, guys?” Maverick called from the living room.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“There’s someone in our yard. You might wanna put some clothes on.”

“A dangerous someone?”

“Unknown,” Kit replied.

I hopped out of the bath, Pumpkin biting at the droplets falling from me. Bear and I hastily dried off and I pulled on my wool layers, which one of them had set over the back of the couch for me.

“Stay out of sight,” Kit ordered. “We’ll go check it out. Bear, stay with her.”

He nodded dutifully and wrapped his arm around my waist, drawing me to the floor beneath the window as if knowing I would be overwhelmed by the desire to snoop. I felt his nerves in the bond, but they were balanced by confidence. Bear could protect me from whatever came.

The others slipped away to head outside and I peeked through the glass at the lone figure unsteadily walking toward the lodge, a sled of supplies gliding behind him. I couldn’t hear a word anyone said, but when the figure lifted his head, he promptly collapsed onto the snow.

“Oh shit.”

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